Among the parking monitoring and control tasks carried out by Stadstoezicht Rotterdam are parking checks, actions against pollution in the city, enforcement of regulations in Rotterdam markets and inspection of their facilities.The organization was looking for a fast and versatile printing solution that could easily adapt to the ever-changing needs and developments of the police sector. They needed a portable and robust system, as officers generally work outdoors; and one that was also reliable, wireless, and real-time. Stadstoezicht developed an open platform to support different hardware and that could be adapted without incurring significant costs.
The Zebra MZ 320 portable printers with Wi-Fi were chosen for their speed and printing accuracy. The printed output is crisp and clear, ensuring that fines are always legible and reducing errors. Furthermore, they are easy to use, which helps save resources and time, and their lightweight and reliable design makes them perfectly suited to the needs of the Rotterdam Stadstoezicht officers.
The software was created by Globe Software. The new system is called iTHOR (Toezicht Handhaving Opsporing & Registratie, which in Dutch means Surveillance, Sanction, Detection and Registration), and it has proven to be a simple and intelligent solution for sanctions.
Now, agents can print directly from their iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad, as iTHOR is developed for iOS but can also be adapted for Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile.
The new solution is being used in Rotterdam for applications such as verifying parking payments, issuing parking tickets and minor traffic violations; monitoring the environment and illegal use of bus lanes; reporting on public areas, waste removal, potholes, or damage to streetlights or roads; and printing instructions to help lost pedestrians and tourists. For example, in the case of an illegally parked vehicle, the officer prints the fine, which is immediately recorded on the central server. The fine is then automatically forwarded to the tax and customs administration for collection, so the officer doesn't have to perform any further administrative tasks upon returning to headquarters.
At the end of 2011, the use of iTHOR systems was expanded to include minor traffic offenses and administrative penalties for criminal infractions. Currently, Rotterdam's Stadstoezicht (City Police) has 600 active systems, all equipped with Zebra MZ 320 printers.
