Smarter payment flows make car washes more efficient
Digitalisation and automation are playing an increasingly important role within the car wash industry. Not only to speed up processes, but also to gain a better understanding of customer behaviour and business operations. According to Anthony Vavrinek, head of sales and marketing at Tracs Systems, the focus is shifting from purely operational efficiency to data-driven business management.
To this end, Tracs Systems developed the cloud-based platform PayWashGo, a point-of-sale system specifically designed for the car wash industry. The software was developed in response to a specific practical need. “One of Belgium’s largest car washes wanted a future-proof point-of-sale system, primarily to make the payment flow faster and more efficient,” explains Anthony Vavrinek. “It wasn’t the car wash itself that was the bottleneck, but the payment process.”
According to Vavrinek, traditional payment methods regularly caused delays. “People still had to search for cash or wait for change. That takes time. With an automated payment flow, you can largely eliminate that delay.”
A focus on cybersecurity
The system operates entirely in the cloud and combines software with hardware, support and security. Tracs Systems not only supplies the software but also oversees installation, maintenance and support. “We want to offer business owners a single point of contact,” says Vavrinek. “From implementation to support and updates.”
The emphasis on cloud technology makes it possible to roll out updates and security enhancements more quickly. At the same time, awareness of cybersecurity and data management is growing within the industry. “Car wash companies hold a great deal of customer and payment data. That data must be stored and managed securely,” says Vavrinek. “We therefore invest heavily in hosting and security provided by European providers.”
According to him, customer recognition is a key feature of modern car wash software. Using ANPR cameras, vehicles can be automatically recognised, after which matters such as subscriptions or credit balances are processed immediately. This not only offers convenience for the consumer, but also provides business owners with valuable data.
“You can analyse which days are busy, the impact of bad weather, or how customers respond to promotions,” explains Vavrinek. “This enables you to run your business more intelligently. You don’t have to work harder, but manage more efficiently based on data.”
Also a marketing tool
Marketing functionalities are also becoming increasingly important. Customers use their own accounts to manage their number plates, subscriptions and payment details, amongst other things. According to Tracs Systems, this reduces the administrative burden on operators whilst simultaneously offering opportunities in the areas of loyalty programmes and targeted marketing campaigns.
The sector is moving towards further automation. Fully unmanned payment lanes are gaining ground, although cash payments remain an option for the time being. “Cash is, after all, legal tender,” says Vavrinek. “Business owners can decide for themselves how far they want to go with automation. Some sites opt entirely for self-service, whilst others combine this with personal contact.”
According to Vavrinek, it ultimately comes down to maximum flexibility. “Every car wash site is different. That’s why a system must be modular and able to grow alongside the business owner.”
Tracs Systems will be exhibiting PayWashGo at the Mobility Energy Expo, which takes place on 11 and 12 November 2026 at the Jaarbeurs Utrecht. Want to find out more about the Mobility Energy Expo? Then click on this link.
