A practical exploration of cost-effective software solutions for small parking lot operators
This isn't production-grade software, but rather a experiment of how to make pragmatic technical choices for very small businesses.
I built this project as a quick prototype to explore how to deliver a practical, low-cost parking management system for small operators who want to avoid expensive software subscriptions and complicated setups.
This project simulates what I would recommend if hired by a small parking lot owner needing basic management software with:
- Minimal budget (under $1,000 total cost)
- Low-tech operation (runs on existing hardware)
- Zero recurring fees (no cloud dependencies)
| Component | Choice | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Database | PostgreSQL | Free, reliable, and lightweight (runs on <1GB RAM) |
| Backend | .NET Core + EF | Rapid development with strong data integrity |
| Frontend | Svelte | Tiny footprint (works on old browsers) |
- Vehicle entry/exit registration
- Automated fee calculation
- Local data persistence (no internet required)
- Simple user interface
Why not...
- Excel? Prone to human error and version control issues
- Pure JS app? localStorage isn't reliable for business data
- Commercial software? Overkill for small lots (typically $200+/month)
Trade-offs made:
- Uses more memory than SQLite but gains proper DB features
- Requires .NET runtime but gets EF's productivity benefits
- Svelte has smaller ecosystem than React but much smaller footprint
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.