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Instead of waiting until month-end to gather up
Shortening the month end transactional data and inventory measurements from
closing cycle multiple disparate systems, the operations staff can
engage in an easy and proactive process of inventory
At the end of the month, reconciling the terminal’s management on a daily basis. At the month end, tying
inventory so that customers can be invoiced on the up loose ends, reconciling inventory for the month,
measured, physical value of the products and services automatically allocating loss/gain, and closing the
provided compared to the ordered (book) amount is books can be a simple process. The terminal
perhaps the most time-consuming and error-prone management system can then automatically invoice the
process that terminal operators must manage. monthly activity back to the customers for payment.
This is further compounded in the area of losses and This significantly reduces the workload on the terminal
gains, which must be allocated back on a customer-by- operations staff, shortening the month-end closing
customer basis depending on the contractual terms. process from 10 or more days to as few as two or three
Measurement errors are also commonplace and often days.
found after the customer order has already been
completed, necessitating a painful and time-consuming
process of adjusting historical tickets to correct the Growing the terminal business
error. To be successful in today’s market, terminal operators
Modern, integrated terminal management systems must differentiate themselves from their competitors
significantly shorten the inventory management and both by providing a superior level of service to their
reconciliation process. Further, these systems are easily customers and by realising the maximum efficiency of
integrated to real-time tank gauging systems such as their terminal assets. Today’s modern, integrated
Emerson’s TankMaster. Inventory transactions and tank terminal management systems give terminal operators
levels are captured automatically and available on a the tools they need to reach new levels of business
real-time basis in the terminal management system. As performance, customer satisfaction, and overall
meter proving is performed throughout the month and profitability, all in a single integrated platform for
errors are found, any measurement issues are easily management of the entire terminal business process.
corrected for any time period with integrated
measurement management tools and any corrections
are automatically reflected in the charges applied to the Reprint from Tank Storage Magazine, February / March
customer’s account. 2017

Aaron Boettcher

Leading a team of product managers to develop and offerings through interacting with sales channels, other
implement customer /market-driven global business Emerson business units, competitive analysis, and
plans, strategies, and tactics for the business group’s oil customer input.
and gas software products and systems / services Develop and implement promotional programs and
offering. collateral materials specific to software products and
Develop plans for new software product development, systems, services offering. Manage strategic planning
product improvement, and new systems / services function.

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