Case Study – Multiple Site Operator (MSO) BOS mobile – the mobile Office Provision of a BOS office on a Notebook from Scheidt & Bachmann GmbH

1. The successful establishment of a secured connection is symbolised by a green line (self-explanatory)

2. Identification as authorised user through user name and password (generated via token). — 1. The successful establishment of a secured connection is symbolised by a green line (self-explanatory)

Place: Germany
Client: Shell
Realisation: Scheidt & Bachmann GmbH

Initial situation:
Today, a service station is typically managed through the locally-based station BOS system. If a service station operator manages several stations, he needs to travel to each station in turn in order to perform tasks on the local BOS. This consumes precious time, preventing other managerial, marketing or acquisition tasks from being carried out.

Task:
An option was sought to reduce the time spent on administrative tasks at each station and to enable the operator to perform these tasks independent of location and time. Furthermore, the improved efficiency through reduced travelling would provide additional savings.

Conception and realisation:
The MSO allows the operator to gain access to, and manage, station data from a notebook in a very simple manner. The operator can flexibly log-in to any of their stations from any location at any time to undertake BOS tasks (product & customer management, settlements, invoicing & clearing, etc.) and then utilize the time saved for other tasks.

Flexible administration of the stations on the go:
The option to remotely log-in to their stations allows the operator, with minor limitations, to perform the complete scope of BOS functions at any time and from any place; all that is required is Internet access.

Article and customer management:
Regardless of different station configurations (articles, article groups, suppliers, etc.), article and customer management can be accomplished through the MSO notebook, from home, a hotel, an airport or wherever. The modified data can be used at the respective station as soon as the process has been completed and saved.

Billing, invoicing and SEPA clearing:
Billing, invoicing and clearing data for local station customers can be comfortably undertaken centrally without having to be in the office at each station. Accounts can also be printed out locally via the MSO notebook. The option to transfer the SEPA clearing data via e-mail comfortably from this MSO notebook to specific banks is another benefit of the system.

Accounting and status of sales volume:
Quickly viewing the actual financial status, current sales volume, or having a look through outstanding invoices, is now possible without needing to be in the office at each station. Access to all transaction data, shop sales data, wet stock data and much more, is now securely and easily possible from your sofa at home.

Wet stock and dry stock management:
Just like in the office at the station, the Scheidt & Bachmann MSO provides access to the current shop inventory, fuel tank levels and product price updates. It has never been so easy to get an overview of the current situation at all your stations than with the MSO.

Business intelligence:
Easy to create, detailed evaluations and reports can be generated for particular stations at the push of a button. Make well-founded strategic decisions at any time and from any place.

Benefits for the operator:

Greatly reduced travelling time and distance
Cost reduction through fuel savings and vehicle wear & tear
More efficient working times (no wasted time due to driving)
Focus on the management tasks (customer care, acquisition, marketing, etc.)
After logging out from the TMS 30 application, the notebook can be used as a normal notebook

Technical details:
Data security takes first priority. Since the access to the stations is via the Internet, this security aspect was given special attention.

Through a Log-in and Token, access to the system is pre-configured exclusively for specific users / user-groups. All data is transferred via secure Internet connection. In addition to the BOS, the data can also be saved locally at the MSO by external data carrier (e.g. USB stick), so that there is no need to visit the station for this purpose.

The hardware used is characterized by particular aspects such as exceptional durability and low energy consumption. Special features are:

Non-reflective 15.6" display for good readability
Separate number pad for easy and quick entry of numerical data
Robust, branded hardware
Integrated vibration sensor secures hardware against damage
Internet access via WiFi or Ethernet (UMTS, 3G optional)
State-of-the-art technology with low energy consumption
RoHS & WEEE compliant

The user interface of the MSO notebooks was designed in a simple and intuitive way so that only Internet access and a token are required.

The new MSO notebooks enable the operators of Shell stations to manage their station business even more effectively and with extreme flexibility. They are able to significantly improve their time management and the MSO allows them to focus on their actual tasks as station operators.