SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - Jan 15, 2014) - ParkNow, a free app that allows users in and around San Francisco find convenient, affordable parking, today announced newly added features including a new self-check in process.

With ParkNow, users are able to search and reserve a parking spot in advance and pay right from their smartphone. ParkNow, a service from BMW i, a subdivision of the BMW Group, leading premium car manufacturer, already has more than 60+ locations including the Financial District, Union Square, SOMA, Oakland, Walnut Creek, Palo Alto and expanding. The new self-check in process offers users the option to check themselves in and out of garages instead of having to wait on valet to scan the QR code or process payment.

"One of the many benefits of self-check in is that it speeds up the whole process for both the drivers and valets," said Jennifer Payne, ParkNow's director of business development. "We are continually making innovative changes to the app to better serve our users and parking operators, and this new feature will improve the entire process for everyone."

In addition, parking garages that operate with ParkNow will now be using a customized "Valet" tablet app in collaboration with the self-check in process. This app provides valets with an overview of previous, current and upcoming parkers in their garage. It also works as a back up to manually check users in or out that may have forgotten to check themselves in or out of the garage.

Ry Sanderson, ParkNow's San Francisco manager, explains "that the objectives of the platform are to provide a premium parking experience with transparency of prices, discounts or offers with guaranteed reservations, as well as ease of use. This new feature for valet garages reduces the time to enter and exit a valet garage."

"The 'Valet' app enables our users' parking experience to be a lot more personalized," Payne added. "Valets will be able to put a face and name behind that parking reservation, and they'll be no more QR code identification."

ParkNow is free and available on the iPhone App Store as well as on the Google Play Store. For more information please visit: https://www.park-now.com. You can also click here, to check out ParkNow's new self-check in process video.

About BMW i

BMW i is an all-embracing approach to rethinking personal mobility that helps shape cities of the future with purpose-built vehicle concepts and a range of complementary mobility services. It's about inspiring design and a new understanding of premium -- one defined by sustainability through and through. BMW i delivers innovative mobile solutions -- inside and outside of the car.