Pakistan State Oil (PSO) will continue to acquire cutting edge technology in all spheres to maintain its position as the premier oil marketing company of the country.
This was stated by PSO Managing Director Tariq Kirmani at the inauguration of the first state-of-the-art "Retail automation quality assurance" (RAQA) van at the company-owned site at Clifton, Karachi.
Kirmani asked the members of the PSO retail team to integrate and effectively use the information obtained through new information ecosystem being installed by the company. He said that PSO would be working closely with ZAQsoft, the system providers, to ensure success of the project. PSO had already commissioned over 200 units with Pump Controller System and Forecourt Distribution Module as part of the leading edge automation package designed and implemented by ZAQsoft. A targeted 1,000 automated pumps would be on-stream to serve PSO customers automotive needs of diesel, petrol and lubricants by the end of the current calendar year.
The Mobile Quality Van simulates a fully automated petrol-station-on-wheels, which will be used to provide emergent service needs through diagnostic modules built into the van.
The engineer attending the complaint related to automation will be able to hook-up easily to the forecourt operations of a particular dispenser and system to diagnose and eliminate any technical fault by carrying out replacement/repairs.
The van would also carry emergency parts inventory needed for restoring automation integrity to the pump in the shortest possible time.
If required, the van, equipped with a computer, Pump Controller System, Forecourt Distribution Module, generator and an air-conditioned congenial office space for the engineer to work, could also serve as a back-up pump automation unit for short periods of time.
The system provided by ZAQsoft enables PSO to maintain station profitability monitoring and management, fuel demand monitoring, wet stock management, logistics management, integrated customer relationship management and C-Store profitability monitoring and management.
PSO had already launched innovative and novel products like e-learning, fuel credit cards, hanging type dispensers, Internet facilities, business centers and automatic car wash.
The aggressive marketing and innovative approach has earned the company not only volumetric market share but also accolades from the Wharton Business School and World Economic Forum.
The establishment of retail automation loudly conveys the company's message to its valued customers about its leadership in the oil marketing business in Pakistan and its commitment to innovation, technology, and continuous improvement of its facilities to serve its customers even better.