Managing the terminal by hand

KEEP IT SIMPLE…

MANAGEMENT • TERMINAL OPERATORS LOOKING TO REDUCE THEIR COSTS MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT IMPLICO’S LATEST SYSTEMS, ON SHOW AT THIS MONTH’S STOCEXPO EVENT

‘SIMPLIFY YOUR BUSINESS’ – it’s a great idea in a complex world, but how does the average tank terminal operator go about it? Those looking for a solution are invited to stop by the Implico stand at the StocExpo Europe event in Rotterdam later this month, where its technical staff will explain how Implico’s technologies and hardware can help.

The core of Implico’s integrated OpenTAS terminal management system is Navigator. This is used to control all of the logistics processes in the tank terminal, especially those involving goods movements with rail tank cars, ships or any other transport asset.

Implico has been working on making Navigator even more user-friendly, as managing director Stephan Buhre explains: “The new Navigator guides the employee step by step through the entire process – including the clearance of a railcar train, for example. All the information that the employee needs is clearly laid out on the device, while any information that is not required is hidden.” This makes clearance work almost as easy as placing an order in an online shop.

TAKE IT TO THE FIELD The other element Implico offers to improve the efficiency of the system is its latest handheld unit, which combines a rugged input device with a specially designed software package. This solution ensures that all operational activities at the terminal – such as railcar clearance on the platform – can be remotely integrated into the OpenTAS management system.

“Doing away with handwritten notes and manual data entry at a later stage makes the process simpler, quicker and more reliable,” says Implico. “The handheld solution has now been thoroughly tested in the field and is generating a lot of interest from the industry.”

Implico will also be showcasing its latest release of OpenTAS, its all-in-one solution for terminal administration and automation, at StockExpo. This sixth release, designed specifically for refineries and tank terminals, features improved usability and support for the latest hardware, databases and operating systems; it also works with any kind of field equipment. The release also introduces a significantly more flexible reporting system.

Implico’s iGOS cloud-based service is also making its mark in the terminal sector, the company says. It describes it as “a powerful package of cloud solutions, data services, hosting and housing tailor-made for the downstream industry”. It helps ensure that customers always have the latest functionality at their fingertips, with a minimum of administrative effort. One UK terminal operator has been organising its ship loading process entirely out of the cloud since last year, the company says.

Implico also highlights the case of the MOL Group, which is now synchronising its primary supply processes in eleven countries to improve transparency and control options. During the StocExpo event, Radu Meteescu, project manager of group logistics at MOL, will give a talk on how the company uses cloud-based services to harmonise logistics and optimise business processes.

The Implico Group can be found on stand J10 at the StocExpo Europe event, which takes place from 20 to 22 March at the Ahoy exhibition centre in Rotterdam. More information can be found on the company’s website, www.implico.com. HCB