Case Study: Cambrian College

At a Glance

Industry: Higher Education
Campus Parking Areas: 16+
Students: 11,000+
Parking Spaces: 2,300
Permits Issued Annually: 3,500+
Violations Issued Annually: 4,000+
Location: Sudbury, Ontario

Cambrian College sought to modernize its parking program by automating permit sales, violation management, and payment processing while improving customer service and operational efficiency.

The Mission

Cambrian College wanted to:

• Realize parking permit and violation revenue in real time
• Eliminate manual tracking and spreadsheet-based processes
• Provide a self-service customer portal
• Integrate with campus systems including Ellucian Banner
• Streamline enforcement using modern handheld technology
• Implement a system that could grow with the college

At the time, permits and infractions were managed through a third-party provider, violations were tracked manually in spreadsheets, and payments were handled in person.

The college required a centralized, automated solution.

The Challenge

Cambrian identified key requirements for a modern campus parking system:

• Online permit sales with real-time payment processing
• Payroll deduction options for eligible staff
• Smartphone-based enforcement tools
• Real-time updates via cellular connectivity
• Online violation payment and appeals
• Automated notifications and alerts
• Secure vehicle-to-user linkage retrieved from Banner
• Robust reporting with customizable business rules
• Single sign-on integration

The system needed to be easy to use, scalable, and fully integrated with the college’s digital ecosystem.

The Solution: A Fully Integrated Parking & Enforcement Platform

Cambrian College implemented OperationsCommander as a hosted, cloud-based parking and violation management system designed to automate all facets of campus parking.

Core Modules Implemented

Parking Management (ParkAdmin)

• Online permit sales for all permit types
• Real-time payment processing
• Payroll deduction integration
• Self-service customer portal
• Parking inventory tracking and auditing
• Revenue optimization through flexible permitting rules

Parking Enforcement (ViolationAdmin)

• Smartphone-based violation issuance
• Real-time synchronization via cellular service
• Virtual tire chalking with shared enforcement records
• Multiple supporting images attached to violations
• Online payment and appeal submission
• Automated notifications and status updates

Integrated Campus Ecosystem

Cambrian’s platform integrates directly with:

• Ellucian Banner student and staff system of record
• Campus e-commerce payment provider
• Secure single sign-on authentication

Vehicle records are securely linked to user accounts and synchronized with Banner data, ensuring accuracy and accountability while reducing manual data entry.

Results

37% Annual Budget Savings

According to Kim Lair, General Manager of Ancillary Business Operations, annual savings of approximately 37% were achieved following implementation.

Real-Time Revenue Visibility

Permit sales and infraction payments are processed online and tracked in real time, improving cash flow visibility.

Elimination of Manual Processes

Spreadsheets and in-person-only payments were replaced with automated workflows and digital record keeping.

Improved Customer Experience

Students and staff can purchase permits, pay violations, and review payment history online at any time without administrative involvement.

Stronger Audit & Reporting

Automated record retention supports auditing requirements, appeal tracking, and business rule customization.

Increased Operational Efficiency

Within six months of implementation, Cambrian experienced measurable improvements in efficiency while maintaining static overhead costs.

Built for Growth

The platform was configured not only for Cambrian’s immediate needs but also for future expansion. As enrollment, parking demand, or policy requirements evolve, the system can scale without requiring additional software replacements.

Because OperationsCommander is a hosted cloud solution, the transition was streamlined and required no complex on-site infrastructure.

Higher Education Parking, Fully Automated

Cambrian College demonstrates how higher education institutions can transition from manual, third-party-managed parking programs to a fully automated, integrated, and revenue-optimized campus parking system.

By implementing a unified platform for permit management and enforcement, the college improved efficiency, enhanced customer satisfaction, strengthened reporting, and achieved significant cost savings.

The result is a modern campus parking operation designed for performance, scalability, and long-term success.