OKET SIOT helps RAM achieve inventory reconciliation and profit increase in Zimbabwe

Introduction to RAM:

RAM is a well-known petroleum company in Zimbabwe, founded in 2002. As a relatively young and dynamic company, RAM is recognized for its high-quality oil products, high service standards, and unique advantages such as inclusivity and openness. It has established 19 gas stations and 5 oil depots across Zimbabwe's 390,000 square kilometers, serving a population of nearly 20 million. RAM supports the development of various industries and, like many other Zimbabwean companies, is contributing to weaving a beautiful dream in this land full of hope.

Main Challenges Faced by RAM's Gas Station Management:

As mentioned, the gas stations are spread across seven different cities nationwide but have not yet been equipped with any automation products. The daily management of fuel at the stations relies heavily on manual measurements, manual accounting, and manual reporting. Due to the geographical distances, the timeliness of information retrieval is poor, presenting a challenge for RAM’s gas station management. The lack of automated measurement equipment and corresponding remote monitoring platforms also causes significant difficulties in daily station management.

OKet, as a professional solution provider for fuel measurement and real-time data acquisition, has customized a professional online monitoring platform and the necessary hardware support devices for RAM.

Local Service Team:

As a one-stop solution provider for gas stations, OKet not only offers stable, advanced, and cost-effective equipment but also prioritizes local service. We believe that beyond superior products and technology, exceptional service and continuous technical support are key to impressing our clients.

?Flowlogic,?a local company sharing OKet’s service philosophy, is our local partner in Zimbabwe. With OKet’s support, Flowlogic’s excellent team successfully completed the SIOT deployment, installation, and commissioning for RAM stations.

Note: Flowlogic has a multinational team with technical teams and product sales channels in DRC, Zambia, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.

RAM’s challenges are common among many fuel retail companies, such as the inability to monitor tanks 24/7, track fuel dispenser sales, automate inventory reconciliation, and ensure data accuracy. These issues lead to significant management difficulties and confusion, making it hard to grasp actual losses. For instance, discrepancies between actual sales quantities and manual measurements are a fundamental problem.

Based on the needs of fuel retail companies, we have organized the following requirements:

1. Real-time monitoring of tank inventory and incoming fuel.

2. Real-time monitoring of fuel dispenser sales data.

3. Automated inventory reconciliation.

4. Potential enhancement of station automation levels.

In response to these needs, OKet has designed the following solutions:

1. ATG Probe: Installed in the tank to monitor liquid level changes.

2. ATG Probe Wireless Set: Given that RAM’s sites do not have pre-installed pipelines in the tank areas, a wireless transmission solution is integrated to save on civil construction costs and avoid disruptions to operations.

3. SIOT Set: SIOT connects directly to the ATG Probe, reducing the need for a separate control console. It also connects directly to fuel dispensers, eliminating the need for an external controller. SIOT can also integrate with future systems like advertising boards, vapor recovery, post-treatment, solar energy, robotics, and smart lighting.

4. SIOT Online Platform: Enables remote monitoring and integration of multiple sites, facilitates inventory reconciliation, fuel statistics, trend analysis, and remote management of equipment.

Tips: SIoT, or Station?Internet of Things, uses IoT technology to connect various business devices within the gas station, achieving interconnectivity and interaction with the ultimate goal of enhancing operational efficiency.

After preliminary communication and preparation, we, together with our local partner, completed the wireless ATG installation for the fuel tanks, fuel dispenser communication, and SIOT connectivity and debugging within a standard workday. The equipment was successfully launched, data transmission was successful, and real-time monitoring of the gas station by SIOT was achieved.

Reviews and Feedback?from the fuel retail company RAM:

After approximately a month of use, RAM found that most of their challenges were resolved. All data became traceable, and operations were recorded by the equipment. Sales and tank inventory data matched successfully, and fuel station profits continued to rise.

Today, SIOT continues to monitor every drop of fuel at RAM’s sites and provides the headquarters with ongoing transaction information.