ParraSync, which will be launched over the next few months, will see participants use smartcards, or Near Field Communication (NFC) Mobile Phones, to access car parks, work buildings and libraries, purchase items from local businesses and access loyalty programs.

With just one card, or smart-phone, users will be able to pre-order parking, borrow books from the library, shop from participating retailers and more. Customers can load up to $100 onto their card via a secure online portal.

Participating businesses will be equipped with an Android Tablet and a Near Field Communication (NFC) card reader. Customers will simply wave ParraSync past the reader or tablet to purchase items or access loyalty programs.

Business owners who would like to find out more about ParraSync can call Pouneh Sedghi on 9806 5741.

ParraSync is just one of many projects delivered by the ParraConnect Advisory Committee. Other projects that are already operating in Parramatta include smart phone applications, free WiFi in our libraries, mobile CCTV coverage and more.

Parramatta City Council has introduced two revolutionary smart-phone applications that offer live navigation to car spaces, and live tracking of the Parramatta Shuttle Bus.

Smart Parking Parramatta, uses the smart phone GPS to pinpoint the location of commuters and displays nearby car parks. It also enables users to touch on any of the locations to view car park details including up-to-the-minute occupancy rates.

Parra Shuttle Bus Tracker application is an Australian-first. It allows for real-time tracking of Parramatta’s free shuttle bus.

These applications are now available to download for android phones, for free, here, as well as on iTunes, Android Marketplace and Windows Phone Marketplace for respective phones.

Smart Parking Parra - Map View

Smart Parking Parramatta

A new mobile app, Smart Parking Parramatta offers a suite of functions designed to take the stress out of the car parking experience.

Smart Parking Parramatta is a high‐end Google Android, iPhone and Windows Phone supported parking application that allows you to view the parking location on different view such as “on‐street and map” in the same application.

Notes

• Smart Parking Parramatta allows you to view different car parking locations in single interface.
• You need an internet connection to use this app and also a 3G enabled or Wi‐Fi enabled mobile phone or tablet
• This app works only on any Android devices It can work on either a Android phone or a tablet

Smart Parking Parra - Details View

Fuctionality & Features

• User – Friendly smart application
• Ability to identify the availability of car parking from our hand
• Able to identify different car parking locations from single app
• Able to identify the current location of the car based on the GPS co‐ordinates of the mobile device
• Saves Golden Time and Fuel
• Easy to Navigate

View or download the app here!

Parra shuttle Tracker - Home View

Parra Shuttle Bus Tracker

An advanced mobile app, Parra Shuttle Bus Tracker allows user to view real time bus locations, route maps and bus stops on map view.

The Parra Shuttle Bus Tracker is a sophisticated mobile Android, iPhone and Windows Phone application that allows user to view multiple bus routes simultaneously in the one application from their handphones.

Notes

• The application allows you to view real time bus locations of multiple buses in single interface
• You need an internet connection to use this app and also a 3G enabled or Wi‐Fi enabled mobile phone or tablet
• This app works only on Android devices (It can work either on a phone or a tablet device)

Parra shuttle Tracker - Map View

Functionality & Features

• User – Friendly smart application
• Identify the exact location of the bus
• Reduces waiting time in the Bus Stop
• Ability to identify the current status of bus from our hand
• Able to identify different bus status from single app
• Easy to Navigate

View or download the app here!

If you have an idea that contributes to these goals, we encourage you to share it with us. If you’re idea contributes to Council’s goal of becoming a connected and smart City, we are ready and willing to work with you to bring this idea into fruition.

You will need to provide a Business Case for your idea which includes an Executive Summary. Submissions must address the following areas:

• What is being proposed?
• What technologies are anticipated to be used? (Proprietary or open)
• How will it work?
• What are the benefits? (Community, social, commercial and/or government)
• What is the uniqueness of this initiative? Has it been tried before in Australia or anywhere in the world?
• What are the anticipated:
• Operating costs
• Investment costs (if any)
• Profit/profit shares

Applicants are encouraged to attach any relevant material including brochures, website addresses, clips, case studies, blogs and/or industry opinion.

John is president of Parramatta Computer Pals for Seniors

John is president of Parramatta Computer Pals for Seniors, a non profit organisation which provides training in computer use for seniors. It was established in 2007 and has 250 members. John has been a member of Parramatta Council’s Disability Access Advisory Committee since 1991 and is currently its Chair. Prior to retiring, John ran his own consulting business for 10 years and prior to that was a NSW Public Servant, working in Industrial Relations, HR and Training and Development.

Clr Chiang Lim is currently an elected Councillor for the City of Parramatta since 1999

Chiang is currently an elected Councillor for the City of Parramatta since 1999, who recently served as its Deputy Lord Mayor from 2009 to 2010. He also serves as an appointed Governance Observer for Parramatta CBD’s $1.6b civic redevelopment project, a board member of Westpool (a major co-operative self-insurance scheme for 8 local governments), a Board Member of the Asia Business Connection, Chairman of ParraConnect (City of Parramatta’s smart city initiative), a Board Member of the Chinese Australian Forum, and incoming CEO of the Newsagents Association of NSW & ACT Ltd.

He was the Australian Country Manager for ASUSTeK (the world’s largest PC components manufacturer, and the third largest notebook computer manufacturer). He was previously an (executive) project manager of the Australian Communications Industry Forum who coordinated the Australian legislative, commercial and operational inter-carrier framework for mobile number portability, long-distance and international preselection, and the handling of life threatening and unwelcome calls. He was also Standards Australia’s project manager responsible for all IT security-related national standards.

Providing wireless internet is part of Parramatta City Council’s e-Parra strategy, with a vision to transform the Parramatta local government area into a smart city for the future.

The new digital system will also enable library members to obtain information using the online e-Resources available 24/7 in the virtual branch, as well as Playaway audiobooks, allowing users to listen to books on the go.

Whether you want to check a fact quickly from home, need help with an assignment or want entertainment on the move, the new digital library can help. Next time you visit the library watch out for a race car driver mascot who will be zooming around the library offering assistance.

DigiMacq allows you to see colonial-era Parramatta through the eyes of Governor Lachlan Macquarie, his wife Elizabeth, and a cast of colourful characters from the dignified to the disreputable.

Using an application developed for iPhone and iPod touch, this tour sets the benchmark for self guided tours using hand held, digital devices and high quality production standards.

The full adventure is best experienced in Parramatta. As you visit each site along the route you’ll find a marker bearing a secret code that allows you to unlock the next chapter of your quest. Be a fly on the wall, hear what the people thought then and see what Governor Macquarie’s legacies are now.

The DigiMacq app is free and can be downloaded from the Apple iTunes store.

This innovative, interactive tour is proudly sponsored by the Australian Government Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and has been produced by Parramatta City Council in collaboration with specialists from the NSW Heritage Branch, The University of New South Wales School of Computer Science and Engineering and The Art of Multimedia.