Issue link: https://geospatial.trimble.com/en/resources/i/1415432
through a cloud-based platform, so anyone in the company with a mobile phone or desktop device has access to this data based on permissions, set goals, and reporting requirements. This level of insight is beneficial when distributors are establishing dispatch efficiencies across the supply chain. Tank level gauges ensure tanks are running at optimum efficiency, usually based on efficiency goals set forth by the organisation as it aligns with industry standard regulations. The industry today delivers on a 40 – 45% tank efficiency rate, with the average delivery to a 1000 gal. tank around 400 – 450 gal. By monitoring, the efficiency can be increased to 70 – 80%, so instead of taking 450 gal., 700 – 800 gal. can be delivered. This will increase fleet efficiency while also increasing profit margins over the fixed delivery costs. This information can be used to create reports that will improve operations. Predictive analysis encompasses the analysis of a variety of statistics and historical facts in order to make predictions about future or unknown events. RTM applications take tank level gauge data, among other useful information, and combine it to perform a variety of reporting algorithms that help an organisation run more efficiently. One of the more essential pieces of data that RTM applications can help identify is how to meet efficiency targets among multiple tanks. Seeing one tank that needs to be serviced is great but being able to pool data from various tanks and identify which others are nearing fill efficiency is even better. This now allows distributors not only to see the levels of each tank, but form fill patterns based on customer locations and dispatch to several tanks along the same route. Companies are also increasing their savings by specifying the average delivery cost against a pre-set target efficiency model developed when they implement their system. This way, they can see the efficiency data for the current month and cross-reference that to the data from last month to see if they have improved the average delivery cost or not. Having this information readily available to management provides a more realistic picture of whether or not they are meeting their target deliveries when compared to actual deliveries performed. This is helpful when it comes to ensuring they have achieved their efficiency goals and for better streamlining their organisation. Conclusion While software has taken centre stage in most conversations and justifi ably so, there is no mistaking that the hardware components that pull the data from mobile or stationary assets are equally important. Tank level gauges are an integral part in providing accurate data to the tank industries' supply chain. As technology continues to develop, it is important to ensure that activities such as installation and reporting are becoming easier for the end user. Worldwide Coverage For the latest news visit: www.tanksterminals.com For in-depth coverage of the global oil, gas and petrochemical storage sector