How Pre-Dispatched Orders Save Time and Money for Terminal Operators and Their Customers
- Sam Reid
- Apr 27, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 25
Driving Meaningful Process Improvement with Software in the Bulk Liquids Storage, Midstream, and Downstream Industries
Traditionally, many terminal operators have allowed truck drivers to simply show up and lift products for their customers. This process can create administrative errors with BOLs and reporting as well as long rack wait times for truck drivers — causing terminal congestion and angry customers.
Bluewing Midstream leveraged Dearman Systems' LYNX web application to create a more organized product lifting process, allowing customers to schedule orders ahead of time while tying them automatically with truck drivers – ultimately reducing rage-inducing rack wait times and inventory reporting errors.
Scenario #1: Truck Shows up to the Terminal (No LYNX)
Key Issues with This Method:
Lack of visibility into the loading process
Trucks showing up all at once
Traffic management — Directing drivers to racks
Data entry errors leading to longer load times and reporting issues
Drivers pulling product for the wrong customers
Scenario #2: Scheduled Product Liftings Through LYNX
A Smarter Loading Process Where All Parties Win
When orders are scheduled through LYNX, all parties can watch the loading process from end to end. The driver knows where to go when he arrives, he always lifts the right order, and reporting issues are eliminated.
LYNX Features:
Administration
Self-service administration, including customer onboarding
Carrier access for managing drivers, trailers, and certificates
Order Management
Structured order input, approval process, and live tracking
Self-service completed order and BOL lookup
Reporting
Real-time data visualization (liftable inventory) and historical reporting (shipments)
Allocations
Allocations management (physical and credit)
Manage allocations on customer by customer basis, product by product
The Results
Bluewing Midstream has utilized Dearman LYNX as a cornerstone of its operations to successfully scale its terminal business from 50K BBLS to ~2.6MM BBLS of storage capacity, while reducing administrative G&A by over $300k and increasing revenue by over 5X.
About Bluewing Midstream
Bluewing was founded in July of 2015 with the aim to acquire, develop, and operate energy infrastructure along the Gulf Coast. Headquartered in Houston, TX we have partnered with Energy Spectrum - a well-established private equity firm located in Dallas, TX. Our assets are strategically located in Brownsville, TX to serve the South Texas, Mexico, and other international markets.
About Dearman Systems
Founded in 1988, Dearman Systems is a data management platform that helps midstream and downstream companies to lower costs, reduce administrative errors, automate reporting, and increase revenue. Dearman's strong customer roster includes Chevron, Enterprise Products, NGL Energy Partners, Colonial Pipeline, Keyera, Energy Transfer and many other leading companies.
