Refinery switches to OpenTAS

The Refinery Heide GmbH has assigned Implico with the implementation of OpenTAS. The terminal management and terminal automation system will replace older outdated systems from two competitors. After the project completion, which is planned for January 2013, more than a third of the refineries in Germany will be using OpenTAS.

The Refinery Heide was sold by Shell to the Klesch Group at the end of 2010. The IT landscape that was based on a GSAP (Global SAP) system was also part of the sale. It soon became clear that the medium-sized Refinery Heide needed updated logistics processes to cover their needs and stay competitive. To achieve this, the consulting and software company Implico will be implementing its newest OpenTAS version, the OpenTAS 5.0. This will ensure that the loading processes at the refinery will be significantly more efficient. OpenTAS is the only "SAP endorsed business solution" worldwide in the field of terminal management. The Refinery Heide profits not only from the seamless integration of OpenTAS with the refineries' SAP system but also from the fully integrated system landscape.

Another advantage of OpenTAS is that the necessary EMCS processes are completely integrated and run automatically in the background. This eliminates the error-prone and time-consuming entry and transfer of EMCS relevant data to customs via a designated portal. In addition, OpenTAS supports the new industry standards for data communication, IFLEXX and PIDX. This allows the Refinery Heide to replace the outdated transfer standard MPKS and to benefit from the advantages of the new standard in the future.

The oil and gas experts from Implico are not only replacing the previously used systems CSI Fuelfacs and Toptech TMS with OpenTAS; they are also including a middleware solution with direct connection to the SAP system. Michael Martens, Managing Director at Implico, explains: "The replacement of the different systems and the integration of business processes with the SAP system give the Refinery Heide a future-oriented IT structure for terminal management. With OpenTAS operating costs are decreased sustainably and the execution of new guidelines such as EMCS is facilitated tremendously."

About Refinery Heide GmbH
The Refinery Heide GmbH is a company of the Klesch Group and counts with about 560 employees as one of the biggest employers in the Dithmarschen area in Schleswig-Holstein.
The company has a processing capacity of 5.5M tons of crude oil per year, which is as much as the entire crude oil market for Schleswig-Holstein. The Refinery Heide was built in 1940. It produces classic mineral oil products such as automotive gas, diesel and aviation fuel. In addition they produce light heating oil and base materials for the chemical industry.

About Implico
As an international consulting and software company, Implico supports oil and gas companies worldwide in optimizing their business processes. The company was founded in 1983. Headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, the Implico Group has subsidiaries in the UK, Malaysia, Romania, Switzerland and the US.
Five of the world's ten largest oil companies now rely on Implico's industry experience, consultancy expertise and high-performance solutions – including OpenTAS, SAP OGSD (Oil & Gas Secondary Distribution) and IDM (Integrated Dispatch Management). OpenTAS with the two main modules TMS (Terminal Management System) and RDM (Replenishment and Distribution Management) is targeted at fuel depots and refineries, offering comprehensive functionality for administration, automation and process improvement. SAP OGSD, developed by Implico and marketed worldwide by SAP, optimizes the distribution of petroleum products. The innovative software solution IDM, developed by Implico, helps dispatch planners to create optimum tours: orders from SAP are combined with resources to ensure the best possible results.
The fast-growing Implico Group currently employs around 250 staff.