Jack Coyne ’20

SimplyPark, Cleveland, OH

My summer work with SimplyPark, LTD has been another great chapter in a steady process of growth for me and the small start-up. The objective of SimplyPark is to create a better mobile application for parking—one that removes some of the annoying steps that hinder ones’ ability to have an enjoyable experience while parking their car in primarily urban settings. This summer was focused on first testing a raw version of the prototype, then working with the software engineers on improvements in order to develop our app for the user-market.

The raw prototype did not contain a user-facing interface; it was simply a program that was designed to detect whether or not a car was physically within the boundaries of a parking lot, a process which takes place completely within the confines of the phone in the mobile application. Using a phone almost like an “E‑ZPass” for parking sounds simple enough, but there were countless scenarios to test, and as many bugs to report along the way. Activities like walking, skateboarding, biking, running could all trigger the boundary-cross function. By physically testing these triggers, and keeping a very specific digital log with accurate track of times in and out, we were able to help the software engineers hone the application to avoid the pitfall scenarios that would hinder the ability for the application to work accurately as a strictly car parking app. Once this raw prototype was improved, and we observed in real testing its accuracy, customer-facing features were added and further testing began.

Programming a gate with the mobile application.

The people working on the project are totally committed to the concept and because of the small group size, it is easy to communicate issues and pounce on them quickly, without having to navigate much of a hierarchy or chain of command. I’ve enjoyed working closely along seasoned software engineers, especially because of the way they look at solving issues within the app. For example, there could be an issue with a bicycle crossing and activating the boundary of the parking lot, and to me, a solution is not clear at all. The engineers strip the issue down to its simplest components, like speed, acceleration, and even height off the ground, and then look for case studies in other applications in the public domain. This style of problem solving could be extended to my final year at Williams, using the case study method to work on itemizing projects as distant to mobile software applications as art history research papers.

The advantages of the application over competitors is substantial, creating a more efficient way for people to navigate through their day. Broadly, the application allows the user to pre-set a payment method with SimplyPark and simply drive into a parking lot and park their car. Once the user crosses the boundary of the parking lot, the app triggers and when the consumer exits, SimplyPark calculates the payment for the exact duration of the time parked. Thus saving time, avoiding frustration of standing in inclement weather at a payment machine, and eliminating the hazard of using ones phone while driving.

So I thought, what other issues of life that are currently addressed by inefficient solutions? This slightly altered mindset is a fun one to operate within, leading to constant brainstorming as moments and days go by about how to improve products or concepts I encounter in daily life. Although Williams doesn’t currently offer specific classes fostering entrepreneurship or product development, I am eager to return to campus and engage with clubs and organizations with a similar entrepreneurial mindset.

This summer was a great new foray into problem-solving and focus on efficiency that has prompted me to see things through a different lens. Prior to this internships, as an art history major, I had considered working at an art museum or art gallery, but now, I may relegate my passion for art to a hobby and pursue a more entrepreneurial career path. This realization wouldn’t have been made without my summer experience at SimplyPark, and through the generous support of the Estate of Bruce C. Davey. Thank you.