Increasing Operational Complexity

Today's liquid-product storage and distribution terminals are more than storage facilities; they have become critical control points in the supply chain. The energy transition, greater product diversity, stricter regulations and rising customer expectations are compelling operators to work faster, more flexibly and without errors. In this environment, a Terminal Management System (TMS) is emerging as a key enabler of operational efficiency.

1. Operational Challenges

The principal problems encountered in traditional terminal management include:

  • Data silos: Order, vehicle, infrastructure and regulatory data is held in different systems, creating manual workload and loss of visibility.
  • Complex planning: Rapid adaptation becomes difficult when vehicles are delayed, equipment fails or product quantities change.
  • Compliance and traceability: Manual checks and the need for continuous interdepartmental communication create a structure susceptible to human error.
  • Adapting to the energy transition: Storing new products such as biofuels and renewable feedstocks requires more rigorous traceability.

2. An End-to-End Solution with TMS

TMS manages the entire process on one platform, from receiving supplier materials through storage and processing activities such as batching and blending to loading, packaging and dispatch.

Its principal advantages include:

  • Real-time monitoring of inventory, quality and tank fill levels
  • Full integration with ERP and automation systems
  • An architecture compliant with ISA-95 standards
  • Straightforward maintenance and system expansion
  • Continuous business operations and high reliability

3. Technical Architecture

The technical solutions delivered by TMS include:

  • Mendix (low-code development): Rapid, multi-platform application development for business processes.
  • Opcenter Execution Process (MOM/MES): End-to-end management of the complete terminal process.
  • Opcenter Advanced Planning & Scheduling: Scenario-based optimisation of vehicle and vessel planning.
  • Opcenter Intelligence: Real-time and historical operational analysis.
  • Opcenter Connect MOM: Integration with Siemens and third-party systems, high availability and load balancing.

4. A Tangible Transformation Story

A regional energy leader in Northern Europe was operating non-standard legacy systems across five terminals.

Challenges:

  • Specialist software knowledge dependent on individual employees
  • Insufficient traceability for renewable feedstocks
  • Difficulty integrating data across operations

Solution:

  • A standard TMS-based platform across all terminals
  • Integration of process control, simulation and RFID-based automation
  • Integrated operation of all systems through a central database

Results:

  • A 30% improvement in operational continuity
  • A significant reduction in data-processing time
  • Complete traceability for renewable products

5. Value Delivered to Operators

The principal benefits achieved by implementing TMS include:

  • Transparency: A single data flow across ERP, CRM and automation systems
  • Faster decision-making: Real-time reports and trend analysis
  • Operational speed: Reduced reliance on manual processing
  • Resource optimisation: Immediate problem detection and rapid intervention

6. Investing in the Future

TMS does more than solve today's problems; it provides flexible infrastructure capable of adapting to the energy transition, sustainability and digitalisation trends. This enables operators to:

  • Integrate new products into the system easily
  • Adapt rapidly to regulatory changes
  • Increase competitiveness by minimising operational risks

The future of tank-terminal operations will be built on real-time data management, complete integration and a high degree of automation. TMS represents a strategic investment for organisations seeking to turn this vision into reality.