The future of urban mobility is increasingly shifting towards digitalisation, with user expectations moving forward alongside it. A modern application must not only be user-friendly but also fast and secure. How do you innovate a popular service used by hundreds of thousands while keeping it familiar?
Strategic Priorities: What Have We Learned from Users?
During the technological development process, our goal was to deploy new features as soon as possible while ensuring that the new app provided at least as much functionality as the previous version.
To achieve this, we first examined the services most frequently used by our customers to identify those who rely on specific features of the Parkl app. We structured the development process into multiple milestones, progressing according to key functionalities. Each phase was implemented in stages, beginning with UI consultations, followed by usability tests based on user feedback. Based on these insights, we identified on-street parking as the first milestone, allowing these users to be the first to join our closed beta testing.
'The development of map components proved to be particularly complex. Fine-tuning the display of zones and pins was a significant challenge. Additionally, dividing the main screen into three sections and designing the animated, gradually appearing gradient colour scheme required considerable resources. However, we ultimately achieved a visually sophisticated and streamlined solution,' said Márk Násztor, Software Development Team Lead.
Next, we focused on electric vehicle charging and indoor parking. Once these features were completed, they underwent beta testing to gather real-world usage feedback as quickly as possible. The most complex element of this phase was office parking management, a key component of the Parkl business ecosystem.
The development of corporate features was followed by the introduction of an entirely new product: e-vignette. This was a significant milestone, as it required collaboration with a third party, the National Mobile Payment Plc., which validated the system through test purchases and only approved the feature once the testing process was successfully completed.
Technical Transition: Rethinking the Technological Structure
The new app underwent a complete technological maintenance, with the entire codebase rewritten on a modern foundation. Only one element was carried over from the previous version: the algorithm that determines a user's direct-line position relative to a selected geographical point.
Development began in the summer of 2023 with pilot projects and UX/UI testing, followed by the construction of the new technological infrastructure in the autumn. Feature implementation started in early 2024, and the new app was finally launched to the public in January 2025.
The challenge had multiple facets: we needed to create a renewed platform while ensuring the uninterrupted operation of existing systems. The phased rollout began with a closed beta test, which users could join by invitation, before transitioning into an open beta phase and, ultimately, a full public release for all users.
A Precisely Designed Technological Process
The key to success lay not only in the updated features but also in how users experienced the transition. For this reason, the development team conducted multiple rounds of UX/UI testing.
From a technical standpoint, two major challenges arose. First, we needed to establish a technological infrastructure that was fast, secure, and sustainable in the long term. Second, the transition had to be implemented in a way that modifications to the backend systems did not disrupt daily operations. This included ensuring full functionality, such as seamless operation of administrative and reporting modules, while new developments remained "invisible" to the live system, preventing disruptions.
'The greatest achievement was overcoming both technological and UX/UI challenges on time while responding quickly to user feedback. The new version has not only improved in functionality but also significantly reduced loading times,' highlighted Zoltán Bacsa, Chief Technology Officer.
Positive feedback from users reinforced the team’s confidence that thorough planning and careful execution had paid off.
Building a Complete Digital Mobility Ecosystem
The global mobility market is shifting towards integrated digital ecosystems. In urban transport solutions, platforms that manage mobility services within an integrated system are becoming increasingly important. With this in mind, we developed the new application with a long-term vision: to position Parkl as a comprehensive mobility solution on international markets.
Our goal was not merely to develop a mobile application but to create a platform that offers integrated mobility services. Throughout the development process, it was essential to ensure seamless operation, which required not only strong project management but also efficient information flow. These factors enabled swift, well-informed decision-making and timely feedback collection.
Looking ahead, we aim to expand our software solutions to enable the coordinated operation of various services and support continuous development. Future plans also include enhancing fleet management functions and further integrations with third-party providers.
'The future of digital mobility increasingly relies on scalable, data-driven services. With the upgraded application, we have not only responded to current market needs but also built a system capable of adapting to technological and infrastructural changes in the coming years,' summarised András Kéri, Chief Product Officer.
With this new platform, we are prepared to make both corporate and urban mobility even smarter in the years to come.
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