Dearman Systems CEO, Sam Reid, presents at the Terminal of Tomorrow: "A clear path to unified, resilient terminal data and next-gen enterprise applications."
Dearman’s terminal automation systems allow companies to integrate field devices and aggregate data the terminal level.
With Dearman’s multi-terminal unification platform (UNITY), companies are able to continuously aggregate data from multiple terminals in real-time.
This data can power business intelligence and other enterprise software applications and eliminates the tedious task of sharing stale spreadsheets from siloed data sources.
Enterprise applications:
Contracts & Invoicing: Allows you to upload the terms of your contracts and then invoices will be automatically created using device data and agreed upon pricing. You can automatically invoice customers and add approval steps into the process (Link to module)
Inventory Management: Automatically organize all your inventory information and know who owns what and where it is (Link to module)
Scheduling & Customer Orders: Allow your customers to upload their orders directly to the system and provide real-time status listings for all parties in the supply chain. You have the ability to customize the workflow so it fits your operations. (Link to module)
Questions and Answers (From the presentation)
How does UNITY help me recover terminal data if an on-site server goes down?
UNITY isn't just a repository for transactional data. Using SQL Merge Replication, all changes that occur in the local RTG or TAS.net database, including terminal configuration changes, entity data changes, order changes, and completed transactions, etc. are instantly available within the UNITY database. Should a terminal server be destroyed or otherwise rendered useless, a new terminal server can be configured and the database populated from the configuration data within the UNITY server.
What are common obstacles for centrally unifying terminal data?
Some of the more common obstacles to centrally unifying terminal data include variations in terminal data based on the terminal types and/or the industry served by each terminal in the portfolio, interruptions to communications between a terminal and the “corporate host”, and terminals being automated by various vendors across the portfolio. Dearman Systems utilizes data normalization procedures to aggregate data from various terminal types in Dearman’s UNITY platform. Dearman terminal automation systems are designed and configured to run independent of UNITY. In the event of communication interruption, updates from UNITY to the terminal and from the terminal to UNITY are automatically paused. Once communication is reestablished, the two databases resynchronize via SQL Merge Replication. Because Dearman Systems offers different implementations of its terminal automation system tailored to fit the size and scope of the terminal, standardizing on Dearman terminal automation systems across a portfolio, with Dearman’s UNITY platform in the corporate office, is far more economical than one might think.
Does Dearman perform installations remotely?
Yes. In the last 8-10 years, Dearman has performed virtually all implementations remotely. With access to high speed Internet and an on-site electrician/instrumentation technician, we can do everything remotely from configuration, training, and testing, to start up. Remote implementation is just one example of how Dearman Systems lowers costs and increases ROI for its customers.
Does Dearman have examples of TAS deploys in Europe and can it cope with European
specific business models (like Load ID in Germany for example)?
Although Dearman Systems had a presence in Europe in the late 1990’s
and early 2000’s, there are currently no active installations in Europe. However, there are
ongoing discussions with potential customers and a systems integrator has approached
Dearman Systems about becoming a Product Marketer/Product Reseller to service the
European market. The Dearman Systems RTG and TAS.net terminal automation solutions are
flexible and highly customizable and interface with virtually any third party instrumentation or
system that supports an open, published communications protocol. Our preference for an
interface to an accounting system, ERP, or other near-real-time order handling/order processing
system is a web service via XML. Our technical team would work with their counterparts
supporting LOAD ID to develop the interface necessary to handle the European specific
business models as necessary.
How does Unity deal with VAT and duty?
Dearman Enterprise Management with UNITY is a complete multi-terminal
data unification platform that enables companies to share data between a central office and any
number of terminals. Its core functionality aggregates product movement, product
measurement, and order handling from all terminal activity. Additional UNITY components are
available including Contract Management, Pricing, and Customer Invoicing. Those components
assign monetary value to terminal activity. Although basic customization and development would
be required, the EU VAT and any other local tax situations would be handled in accordance with
our client’s business rules within the Contract Management component.
How does Unity deal with customs and excise requirements?
Dearman Enterprise Management with UNITY is a complete multi-terminal
data unification platform that enables companies to share data between a central office and any
number of terminals. Its core functionality aggregates product movement, product
measurement, and order handling from all terminal activity. Additional UNITY components are
available including Contract Management, Pricing, and Customer Invoicing. Those components
assign monetary value to terminal activity. Although basic customization and development would
be required, the EU VAT and any other local tax situations and excise requirements would be
handled in accordance with our client’s business rules within the Contract Management
component. Customs documentation and declarations are typically generated in conjunction
with BOLs by the RTG and TAS.net terminal automation software.
Contact Dearman Systems
For sales inquiries or to request a copy of the presentation slides, please contact us at info@dearmansystems.com. Or contact us here.