Mayendia: The fact that it's not only an app. MyPark is a premium reservation service that's possible because we combined an app with the MyPark reservation device that sits on the parking space and reserves it for the person coming in. We usually do five to 10 spaces in front of the entrances at malls, stadiums, going into airports and other verticals. We have a device that's connected to the cloud, which for the user is a great experience; they can reserve a particular parking spot as much as 6 months in advance and have it held for them.

In a mall, there may be two different sections, near Lucille's or Macy's, for example. A user can do a park event 15 minutes or less before heading to the mall, and it gives them the best available space right there. They drive up to that space and tap the button that says “let me in,” and literally the device drops and lets you park. People love it because you don't have the hassle of looking for a parking space or losing a spot in a busy lot. A lot of people don't like valet as well, the idea of putting their car in the hands of a stranger. So, here you keep your car, your key and your tip, and you have access to your car. The fact that you can reserve your space guaranteed is like nirvana. There are some parking search engines but nothing like this; it's convenient and easy to use.

GlobeSt.com: With building owners and developers trying to reduce parking, how will apps like this fit into the parking picture?

Mayendia: It actually makes MyPark a lot more relevant. Sometimes properties build a lot of garages and see the last two levels are empty while the area around the main entrances is really packed with people driving around in those areas. It's really not about inventory and having a lot of parking; it's about the proper management of those spaces and making them easily accessible to drivers. MyPark does just that. It's the best management tool for property managers. A lot of these malls have an issue with employees who work at the mall getting there first and taking up these best spots. Many malls have parking policies for employees, but they're hard to enforce. MyPark does just that; because the barrier is physically in the space, managers can ensure in an automated way that the space is there for the guest; it's a win/win because the property has a good way of efficiently managing these spots, and drivers have a good way to find and access these parking spaces.

GlobeSt.com: What other developments are happening in parking amenities?

Mayendia: Around MyPark's technology, we're working on several different things. There are quite a few companies trying to tackle this problem of reserved parking or making it easier through apps to reserve parking. We're making MyPark an open platform and working with apps like ParkJockey, Parking Panda and Parkmobile to allow their customers to use MyPark spots through their apps. We're integrating with all these other providers because our technology is so unique and valuable; it lends itself to a lot of integration. Also, we're adding a validation service, where if you dine at a location using MyPark, they'll validate. We'll have the restaurant cover that fee. We want to work with malls and also technology providers.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about this app and technology like it?

Mayendia: This is just the beginning. We will be in six cities by April: Miami; Miami Beach, FL; Paramus, NJ; Lenox Square in Atlanta; at a soccer stadium in Phoenix; and here in Santa Ana, CA. We're also talking with Mall of America in Minnesota. I'd like for everyone to know that they can download the free app and get a free reservation using promo code MYPARK1 so they can experience the ultimate convenience in parking, on us.

SANTA ANA, CA—The MyPark app allows users to reserve parking spaces up to six months in advance of using them and uses barrier technology to keep the space, while partnering with other parking apps, CEO Luis Mayendia tells GlobeSt.com. The Miami-based company is bringing its innovative parking solution to MainPlace Mall here, where customers can now reserve a prime parking spot with a tap on their smartphones. The innovative solution saves valuable time and energy by eliminating the hunt to find the perfect spot.

MyPark has developed an app that enables consumers to locate and reserve a prime parking spot in convenient locations close to where they want to be in malls, on the first floor in garages and close to the gate at the airport. Users simply tell the app where and when they would like to park, select the section they want (the best spot is selected automatically by default) and confirm their reservation. Once they arrive at their reserved space, they tap a button on their iOS or Android device, and the unique MyPark reservation unit will lower to give them access. Besides the convenience it provides to consumers, it also helps to reduce pollution and increases the safety of parking lots by reducing the number of cars driving around the lot.

We spoke with Mayendia about the popularity of this app and how it fits into the trend of building owners and developers trying to reduce parking space at their sites.

GlobeSt.com: What makes the MyPark app so popular?

Mayendia: The fact that it's not only an app. MyPark is a premium reservation service that's possible because we combined an app with the MyPark reservation device that sits on the parking space and reserves it for the person coming in. We usually do five to 10 spaces in front of the entrances at malls, stadiums, going into airports and other verticals. We have a device that's connected to the cloud, which for the user is a great experience; they can reserve a particular parking spot as much as 6 months in advance and have it held for them.

In a mall, there may be two different sections, near Lucille's or Macy's, for example. A user can do a park event 15 minutes or less before heading to the mall, and it gives them the best available space right there. They drive up to that space and tap the button that says “let me in,” and literally the device drops and lets you park. People love it because you don't have the hassle of looking for a parking space or losing a spot in a busy lot. A lot of people don't like valet as well, the idea of putting their car in the hands of a stranger. So, here you keep your car, your key and your tip, and you have access to your car. The fact that you can reserve your space guaranteed is like nirvana. There are some parking search engines but nothing like this; it's convenient and easy to use.