Digital in one flight
How can we upgrade 23 tankers and at the same time automate the process from order to the delivery of fuels more reliably and effectively.
Furthermore, how do we make that process traceable so that it is visible in each step. This was the main challenge for Curoil when supplying
aircrafts and gas stations in Curaçao. What actually started with the request for a tablet, ended with an integrated automated system.

 

Conventional
Curoil on Curaçao provides refueling of aircrafts at Hato Airport and supplies gas stations on the island. Until recently, that was a conventional
course of action where the workflow was partly a paper process. Moreover, there was room for errors and noise in that process; The meter readings
on the tankers were read by the driver, written on a form and later re-entered into the billing system at the office. That had to become
simpler, faster, stricter and, above all, more transparent.

When ordering fuel for a flight or a gas station, the customer orders via the Curoil web portal and the tank order is then assigned to a truck.
Through the app that is configured with the Smartflow platform for this case, the truck driver is assigned the order on his tablet.

 

Tablet
The project at Smartflow started with a product question. From Curaçao, partner Comm-Co had received a request for an Atex tablet (explosion-proof tablet).
Because flammable substances are used in the supply, explosion-proof devices are required. Comm-Co is one of Smartflow’s partners in the field of Atex equipment.
By not only supplying the tablet, but especially with Smartflow performing an in-depth analysis to the use case, a good overview of the actual issue arose.

 

Workflow
The process from customer wish to invoice was then written out and with that determined where the possibilities lie for accessible automation. This has resulted in an
automated workflow that starts with ordering fuel for a flight or a gas station. The customer orders via the Curoil web portal and the tank order is then assigned to a truck.
Through the app that is in this case configured with the Smartflow platform, the truck driver is assigned the order on his tablet.

Automatically
The driver receives a notification to inform that there is a new order. He handles the order according to its guidelines and enters the correct data on the tablet.
An important step in that process is the automatic connection with the EMR 3 fuel meter on the tanker. Previously the meter readings were read and recorded on forms.
Now the meter readings are automatically registered in the app. This is much faster and more reliable.

 

Handling
The digitization of the process ensures that the customer can directly sign the delivery on the tablet of the driver. On site the voucher is printed wirelessly on the Zebra Printer
in the tank truck and digital processing with the back office takes place as soon as there is a connection to a mobile network. The signed receipt is also e-mailed to the buyer.

If there is no connection at present, the order information is kept securely on the tablet until it can connect again. Once automatically returned to the order system, the order
data is updated and the settlement of costs is further processed. Hereby any supplied goods are also settled directly with the customer and processed in the stock. It is possible
that lubricants or special oils are supplied in addition to the fuel. An additional obstacle was that the supplier’s documentation on the exchange protocols turned out not to be entirely correct.
To be able to use the protocols, reverse engineering was required.

 

Crux
The largest accomplishment from the digitization process was achieved on the tanker. These tankers were digitized in one fell swoop using an Atex Bluetooth link between the tablet and
the fuel meter. But before that could be achieved, a major obstacle had to be taken. The meter readings of the tanker had to be sent wirelessly and securely to the tablet. The choice of the
right explosion-proof converter of the RS232 signal from the fuel meter to a Bluetooth signal was the first challenge. Various devices have been tested for suitability. The crux was to convert the data
that the meter can actually send to a printer and use that as digital data for the process.

Auditable
The entire process from order to invoicing has become transparent thanks to this automated process. This is visible in the fact that the process is easy to monitor and
auditable, which is of course beneficial for Curoil. The status and data is up-to-date at all times in the workflow. For both the Curoil supplier and the customers, this ensures
faster processing and prevents discussions about deliveries.

By clarifying the issue together with the client, a unique approach to the issue could be used.
The value that Smartflow was able to deliver in this respect came from the cooperation of the various parties, in which the customer wishes have always been central. 

To work.
Curious about how Smartflow can easily and efficiently automate your work processes?
Please contact us through phone or mail:

Comm-Co
0114-370030
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Smartflow
073-7113832
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