i3’s solution has a Central Business System module which is a comprehensive data warehouse and intelligent data router. It ties together existing and future systems to improve customer service and reduce operating costs for petroleum distributors. Essentially, this module acts as a focal point for business transactions.

The Central Business System central data warehouse consolidates business entity master data (such as product, customer, and driver profiles), product movement transactions, and inventory data. It can automatically collect and consolidate data from financial/ERP systems, suppliers, customers, carriers, as well as from a distributor's supply chain network of process equipment at pipelines, terminals, and retailers. It then makes that data available to your managers as well as your suppliers, customers, and carriers.

i3’s Central Business System module can do this more quickly and at a lower cost than most legacy or ERP systems can alone. Nevertheless, i3’s solution can work hand in hand with your ERP systems. In fact, i3’s solution is a unique terminal automation system which can interface with SAP™ R/3® IS Oil 3.1 for its SAP interface.

i3’s Central Business System module enables:
  • Delivering real-time snapshots of your enterprise-wide inventory position directly to management desktops, thus reducing time-consuming phone calls to collect this information manually

  • Detecting an impending shortage of product at a terminal and notifying managers via email, cell phone, or pager, thus freeing corporate and terminal personnel to engage in activities other than monitoring the terminal automation system

  • Enabling customers and suppliers to enter, manage, and track their own exchanges, contracts, allocations, orders, nominations, and ticketing and then quickly and automatically distribute that information to all appropriate members of the supply chain

  • Centrally managing allocation and credit to prevent unauthorized simultaneous product "runs' at multiple terminals

  • Communicating simultaneously with multiple types of otherwise incompatible terminal automation and host systems with guaranteed data delivery

  • Centralizing the management of configuration parameters at all terminals, thus helping to ensure standardization across the enterprise and minimizing the overhead costs associated with enterprise-wide roll outs and maintenance

  • Allows management to respond to market needs more quickly and cost-effectively

  • Allows a distributor's existing staff to handle more business through existing supply chain assets and to significantly reduce the costs associated with such transactions

  • Improves customer service by giving customers, suppliers, and carriers more control over their transactions