IN RECENT years, Toptech Systems has grown from being a solutions provider for terminal owners, to being a solutions provider for the entire supply chain (terminal owner, supplier, customer, carrier, and driver). Toptech has done this by expanding and improving its suite of products to provide unique benefits that reach beyond the terminal owner, offering key advantages to other stakeholders as well. With a reputation built over the last 33 years as one of the most innovative, reliable companies in the industry, it was a fitting evolution to meet the needs of a broader group in the refined fuels terminal space

Explaining why Toptech has made this strategic move, Manish Patel, global commercial director, states, ‘We’ve seen the industry, every stakeholder, shift to a demand for more information, more insights, and easier access to that information. We knew that we could meet those needs and provide value to everyone involved. Ultimately, by meeting those needs, it increases the competitive advantage for the terminal owner. Making terminals that partner with us more efficient and attractive to the market is what keeps us going.’

SYNETICS

One example of this is Toptech’s data analytics solution, Synetics. This solution allows the terminal owner to track metrics such as load times, gate-to-gate times and more in a way that is visually clear. But often, suppliers want that data as well. Through Synetics, terminal owners can send this information to their suppliers, making it even easier for suppliers to make educated decisions and choose them over a competitor.

LOAD2DAY

Another example of this is with Load2day, Toptech’s innovative data management system for carriers and suppliers. Recently, a company who was building their first terminal knew they needed Toptech’s preset driver interface (Multiload II) and Terminal Management System (TMS), but they also wanted to enable carriers and suppliers to manage their own master data. They were pleased to be able to provide that without spending thousands of dollars and man-hours to build their own system.

The terminal’s carriers and suppliers are now managing their own master data through Load2day, an easy-to-use web portal that enables them to view and edit their data while also accessing their transaction data. The terminal has multiple suppliers and carriers who each have their own technology, processes, and levels of sophistication. Load2day’s scalability allows carriers and suppliers that already have a solution for managing master data to seamlessly input that data into the portal through application programming interfaces (APIs). Those that did not already have a solution are managing their data through the secure, self-serve web portal.

Through Load2day, the terminal is also providing the transaction data necessary for appropriate systems to generate required third party documentation and have that documentation readily available, so drivers leave in a timely manner. The solution is even sending PDF bills of lading (BOLs) to the terminal’s customers that choose to receive them so they know exactly what’s coming and can optimally manage their locations. The terminal owner is still able to control the data for managing authorisations, inspections, training, and more.

Once the master data has gone into Load2day, it is sent to the Terminal Management System so the driver is able to load. Since the data owners (the carriers and suppliers) were the ones who input the data, there are much less errors and issues at the load rack than they would otherwise experience. As part of the roll-out, Toptech worked with each of the suppliers to train them and perform testing with their systems. This integrated solution freed the terminal owners to focus on what’s important to them and empowered the rest of the supply chain by having their essential data and transaction information at their fingertips.

MULTILOAD II

In addition to Load2day, the terminal is now benefiting from Multiload II, the only preset in the world that can boast nearly limitless flexibility with custom logic, extended use with external expansion, and easy maintenance with a roomy interior. As the driver uses the preset, the transaction information is sent directly to TMS, the flexible, modular design of which supports a variety of equipment while providing the terminal operator with essential visibility and control. Plus, they have plans to begin utilising Synetics to take advantage of the powerful data analytics for continual improvement and to keep their suppliers informed.

EVERYONE BENEFITS

Toptech’s focus on building solutions that serve the entire supply chain also allows everyone to benefit from updates and feature enhancements. In fact, in an upcoming 2021 release, Toptech will introduce a new feature which allows the suppliers’ customers to manage orders and schedule loads directly. This gives suppliers the ability to optimally manage their resources, empowers their customer to input their own information, and enables the terminal to receive the data accurately and efficiently. Ultimately, drivers can begin loading fuel faster than ever before.

For more information: Contact Toptech Systems for more information about their holistic solution utilising hardware, software, and hosted services. www.toptech.com