A Legacy of Payment Terminal Innovation
- ICS
- Dec 11
- 3 min read
For decades, ICS has been at the forefront of transforming how the car wash industry does business. From the first automated payment terminal to the powerhouses of today, each generation has raised the bar for our industry.
As we look towards the future, it’s the perfect time to take a step back and reflect on how ICS technology has evolved and shaped the customer experience.
The Early Innovators: The Auto Sentry® and The Auto Sentry® eXP
In 2001, ICS forever changed the car wash industry with the introduction of the Auto Sentry®, the first truly unattended payment terminal for car washes.
For the first time, operators could deliver a fast, consistent, and repeatable customer experience without the need for on-site attendants. This groundbreaking concept became the blueprint for modern express car washing. The Auto Sentry didn’t just make payment easier — it defined an entirely new business model.
Just a few years later, in 2004, ICS released the Auto Sentry eXP, building upon everything learned from the original. It took unattended technology as far as early-2000s tech could go — improving reliability, user experience, and wash throughput.
The Auto Sentry eXP quickly became a benchmark for what a modern payment system should be: robust, user-friendly, and operator-focused.
Setting the Standard: The Auto Sentry® flex and The Auto Sentry® Petro
In 2007, ICS unveiled what would become our most recognizable payment terminal — the Auto Sentry flex. Paired with the launch of the Auto Passport® RFID reader, the Auto Sentry flex empowered operators to build efficient membership programs and deliver a seamless customer experience.
Then, in 2010, ICS introduced the Auto Sentry Petro and Touch N’ Clean, purpose-built for the cashless and self-serve markets, respectively. These innovations gave operators in every segment of the industry tools to serve their customers faster and smarter.
For many operators, The Auto Sentry flex and Auto Sentry Petro became synonymous with reliability, a testament to ICS’s commitment to practical innovation that lasts.
A Global Perspective: PSD Codax and the SmartStart Series
In 2017, ICS expanded its global reach by acquiring PSD Codax, the European market leader in wash access control systems. This partnership bridged ICS’s hardware and software expertise with Codax’s proven forecourt technology, setting the stage for a new generation of payment solutions.
By 2018, the collaboration bore fruit with the launch of the SmartStart Pay and SmartStart Plus terminals in Europe — sleek, efficient, and powered by PSD Codax and ICS technology.
Stateside, those same two years marked a series of major milestones for ICS:
A redesigned Auto Sentry Petro, a refresh of our cashless classic for better ergonomics for consumers and updated hardware,
The original version of the ePOS, connecting online sales directly to WashConnect®,
The launch of the Auto Sentry CPT, simplifying self-serve operations,
The debut of the WashNOW!® App, giving consumers mobile convenience at their fingertips,
The introduction of the Digital Menu Sign, the evolution of the car wash menu sign, and
The beginning of Washnetics, the science of car washing, which would then be taken over by our now sister company, Belanger.
Each of these products and innovations advanced ICS’s mission of helping operators streamline operations and elevate customer experience.
The Dover Era and the Road Ahead
In 2020, ICS refreshed its flagship payment terminal, the Auto Sentry flex, with a redesign in anticipation for the revised touchscreen user interface. And introduced the Auto Passport® LPR, expanding license plate recognition capabilities for faster, more accurate access.
The following year, ICS joined the Dover family of companies, further strengthening its innovation pipeline and global reach.
In 2023, ICS launched the SmartStart Pro, delivering high-end functionality in the most affordable payment terminal on the market. And by 2024, ICS had evolved its digital ecosystem even further — retiring the original ePOS in favor of the new WashNOW! Online Store, offering operators a complete e-commerce solution seamlessly connected to WashConnect.
Most recently, ICS gave a sneak peek of the latest breakthrough, the Auto Sentry® MAX, at the 2025 International Carwash Association Show. The Auto Sentry MAX represents everything ICS stands for: intuitive design, robust performance, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
From the original Auto Sentry in 2001 to the upcoming Auto Sentry MAX, ICS has continually redefined what’s possible in car wash automation and payment technology.
For over three decades, every advancement has been driven by one mission: to help operators succeed through smarter, more connected systems.
As ICS looks toward the future, one thing remains clear: we have always stayed true to our mission of being the premier provider or technology solutions, and we’ll continue to lead the way for the next generation of car wash innovation.
