CDS is a long-standing business within the sector and, back in January 2023, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the company’s beginnings. The CODAS software has continually developed throughout this time.
CODAS is a suite of computer software designed to meet the full range of specialist requirements for oil and LPG distributors.
Covering prospecting, customer and sales activities, fuelcard management, scheduling and routing, purchasing and stock control it also offers a comprehensive financial suite and extensive management reporting capability.
CODAS is fully integrated; data need only be entered once to be available for all subsequent processing, and financial information can be traced back to source transactions with drill-down facilities and integral analytical tools.
Exciting update
Already extensively used across the liquid fuel distribution community CDS has implemented CODAS in a further 3 fuel distributors this year including 2 of the Top 20 on the UK Mainland and 1 of the Top 5 in Northern Ireland.
With CODAS 7 in development, Graeme explains why CDS is especially excited about this latest iteration of the popular software: “CDS has a number of new products under development but the one we’re especially proud of is CODAS 7.
“Showing our commitment to the fuels distribution industry for the long term, and building on our existing, market leading software, CODAS 6, we are making the next generation a web-based version, which we can confidently say is a game changer for the industry.
“With customer service excellence as a core principle, we are developing CODAS 7 alongside our userbase, making use of their valuable industry experience. Already garnering positive comments from this working group
as much more accessible, intuitive and easier to use, we are delighted to say that all of
our existing customers are set to receive the upgrade to CODAS 7 at no additional charge.
“The new version is already proving itself in the field at our beta sites, and we will be shipping the production version of the first completed areas of CODAS 7 beginning in Spring 2025.”
Further development
In addition to the launch of CODAS 7, CDS is set to introduce another new product, CODAS eCom, in autumn 2024.
This innovative platform will significantly enhance CODAS clients’ e-commerce capabilities, enabling them to seamlessly interact with their customers and prospects online. CODAS eCom integrates directly into clients’ existing websites, offering features such as instant quotations, order placement, and account management, all within a familiar interface.
Another key highlight is complete integration with the back-office CODAS system, meaning quotes, orders and payments are immediately available for action in the core platform.
We look forward to hearing more as these upgrades and products are released and will continue to keep you updated with any exciting functionality that is in the pipeline!
Improved efficiency and enhanced customer experience
TouchStar Technologies has been supplying logistics optimisation solutions for the oil and gas sector for almost four decades. TouchStar’s specialist ATEX approved mobile computers are designed, manufactured and serviced in its Manchester office and the application software which runs on the in-cab devices is also created and supported in house by TouchStar’s experienced software developers.
The solutions incorporate both standard and bespoke software and a range of integrated peripherals such as scanners, printers and credit card readers.
Fuelstar application software was developed in conjunction with some of the fuel industry giants, and facilitates a live connection between drivers, transport staff, accounts teams and customers. Sharing live
data regarding vehicle position, on-board stock, delivery volumes and pricing, Fuelstar enables both better operational decision-making and a reduction in administration.
Partnering with the ATEX-approved TS3300 in-cab mobile computer to improve efficiency in the transportation of bulk goods, Fuelstar includes back-office job scheduling and management software. The TS3300 functions as an in-cab hub, consolidating a multitude of data feeds – including tachograph, flow metre, valve control, telematics systems and printer – into one driver-friendly system which feeds information back to the back-office.
Geo fencing: increasing efficiency and enhancing customer experience
In a recent bulletin, Touchstar highlighted the geo fencing capability of its Fuelstar system, describing it as ‘a transformational feature’ of the software.
Included as standard with the technology developer’s popular Fuelstar system, we dug a little deeper to find out how it can both improve efficiency and enhance the customer experience leading to much greater customer satisfaction.
A tool that can help to improve the delivery process, geofencing uses GPS technology to set virtual boundaries and enable systems to react to vehicles as they enter or leave the defined area.
Tracking the transition in and out of an area enables businesses to have a transparent view of drivers and deliveries enabling functionality that delivers an optimal customer experience.
With the flexibility to be configured to exact requirements, Fuelstar essentially enables a virtual boundary to be set up around a known delivery point. Once the truck breaks into that boundary for its next scheduled delivery, an SMS can be sent automatically to your customer, giving notification that their delivery is on its way.
This also allows the customer to be prepared for the arrival of the tracked vehicle which also improves efficiency for the driver, potentially reducing the time from arrival to commencing the pump-off.
Overall, geo fencing is a facility that optimises workflow and ensures an enhanced delivery experience for the customer and can also help to reduce the time that drivers need to complete their deliveries, saving your business time and potentially increasing the number of deliveries that can be completed in a day.
Image credit: Touchstar Technologies
