Webinar Recap: Streamlining Forecasting, Optimized Dispatch and Everything In Between

For enterprise-level fuel operators and smaller companies alike, integrated automation is the key to fuel supply chain efficiency and business growth. From AI-driven algorithms predicting individual fuel site needs to universal dispatch and carrier performance reports, data-driven technology ensures end-to-end accuracy.  

Our second webinar in a 3-part series focused on Fuel Supply & Logistics Mastery, Titan Cloud Director of Solutions Consulting Nick Viola and Senior Solutions Consultant Brent Puzak took a deep dive into forecasting and dispatch. Here are some highlights from their conversation on how technology, data analytics, and systems automation can optimize this critical stage of the fuel lifecycle. To catch a full recording of the webinar, visit here.  

Fractured Systems = Missed Opportunities

As retail fuel operators face the daily challenge of getting fuel from the terminal to storage tanks in the most profitable and executable way possible, Puzak emphasized the need to incorporate real-world factors like demand changes, shifting allocations, and carrier issues into forecasting and dispatch planning. Most traditional systems, however, aren’t always up to the task. 

“What we see is that the link between the fuel supply, dispatch, and logistics teams is really fractured in a lot of cases, and this disconnect really starts with the processes each team currently uses. For example, fuel supply teams typically track allocations manually by logging into individual supplier sites to check lift volumes. Then they transpose that information into spreadsheets to manage allocations across all terminals, suppliers and products,” Puzak said.  

“When it comes to taking advantage of rack pricing, we see more manual processes. So, collecting pricing data and performing calculations to determine your profitability off-contract can be very difficult. Then you’ve got messaging between systems via email throughout the day, making real-time changes difficult and inefficient.” 

Overhauling Inventory Strategies

Given the inherent challenges, we asked webinar attendees what their primary inventory management and logistics goals look like over the next year. Altogether, 40% said they wanted to transform their inventory strategies, another 10% mentioned improving carrier performance, and some noted lowering freight costs. Nick Viola used these stats to talk about the importance of inventory strategies and the role automation plays in achieving them.  

“If inventory isn’t managed efficiently, or if costs spike really, really high, both cash flow and profitability are impacted. So ultimately, the coordination between dispatching and the fuel supply teams determines whether the business can grow, invest and ultimately thrive,” Viola said.  

“Integrated technology like Titan Cloud can consolidate supply, logistics and accounting into a single system, ensuring that everyone is on the same page, from procurement teams managing the fuel purchases, to dispatching coordinating the deliveries, to finance teams processing invoices. Bringing all these functions together means we’re able to reduce errors, optimize operations, reduce those costs and support your business in reaching strategic goals.” 

Minimizing Delivery Errors Via Mobile App

During the Q&A session at the end of the webinar, one attendee asked how the Titan Cloud system helps to minimize cross-drops and delivery errors. Puzak and Viola responded by discussing our platform’s driver app capabilities, which are key to enabling true end-to-end connectivity. 

“With the app, you can systematically put notes into each order or even attach it to a specific location. Essentially what that means is that you no longer email or call or write down a note saying, ‘Hey, you need to deliver at this particular side of the of the site, or this specific tank is marked incorrectly.’ All that information is located within the system to reduce those errors and lower the risk of a cross drop on the wrong drop side. And, since you have geolocation in the driver app, it’s going to alert him or her if they’re in the wrong location. Once they confirm the error, the app can direct them to the right one.”  

For more insights shared during the Streamlining Forecasting, Optimized Dispatch & Everything In Between webinar, you can catch a recording of the full event here. 

If you’d like a personalized demo of how Titan Cloud can streamline and optimize supply chain functions for your business, talk to one of our solutions consultants today.

Next Up in the Series:

Session Three: Driving Financial Accuracy: Optimizing BOL and Invoice Reconciliation
Wednesday, October 30 at 2:00 p.m. EST. Register Here

Brent Puzak

VP of Solutions Consulting

Brent brings 25 years' industry experience to Titan Cloud as the Vice President of Solutions Consulting. He led environmental shared services for a global retail chain with over 9,000 locations, moving through numerous leadership positions. Brent's diverse background and knowledge allows him to take a strategic approach to addressing complex industry challenges.