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Warren Rogers Introduces Enhanced Cloud-based fuelWRAp Application

By |February 10th, 2021|Categories: Uncategorized||0 Comments

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Tony Caputo

Warren Rogers Associates

800-972-7472, ext 853

tcaputo@warrenrogers.com

 

Media Contact: Lynn Butler RDW Group

401-553-5113 

lbutler@rdwgroup.com

 

Warren Rogers Introduces Enhanced Cloud-based fuelWRAp Application

 

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. — (March 3, 2021) Warren Rogers, a leading provider of precision fuel monitoring to convenience stores and other fuel retailers, introduces the latest version of their innovative and secure fuelWRAp application. Warren Rogers’ fuelWRAp is the most precise and efficient fuel management system available today. fuelWRAp uses real-time data and leverages the flexibility and smart analytics of the cloud to help fuel retailers continuously track every drop of precious fuel inventory — as it makes its way to their sites, enters the tank, flows through each fuel line, and reaches the meter — even at the most complex, high-throughput sites.

The latest edition of fuelWRAp features a new and intuitive User Dashboard, simplified menu options, detailed diagnostics, insightful performance metrics, and industry-leading exception-based reporting, all supported by analyst teams, directly assigned to each client. Using fuelWRAp, travel center and conventional convenience store support staff can minimize their time spent each day identifying and addressing issues such as dormant or down fueling positions, water in tank, active tank gauge alarms, meters out-of-variance, failed tank, sensor, and line testing, low inventory levels, lost communications, slowing fuel flow trends, and other abnormalities.

Today, many fuel operators count on the manual reporting of store equipment-related issues. fuelWRAp automates these tasks and provides critical information, 24/7, 365 days a year. Users can view their forecourt diagnostics across their enterprise on a consolidated and centralized online platform, enabled for desktop, mobile, and tablet. fuelWRAp will continue to provide customized auditing and operational reports along with the compliance documentation required to meet all state and federal regulations.

“Customers turn to us for CITLDs, […]

Five Ways Every Fuel Retailer Can Boost Profitability

By |December 21st, 2020|Categories: Uncategorized||0 Comments

 

 
MIDDLETOWN, R.I.  — Warren Rogers Associates, a leader in continuous and precision fuel management for the retail fuel industry, has launched an updated Warren Rogers’ website,  including a video featuring five ways convenience store owners and other fuel marketers can improve operational efficiency and boost profitability at their fuel sites.
The website, www.warrenrogers.com, includes valuable information regarding the company’s “All Points Monitoring System” which takes a comprehensive and precise look at fuel operations — from every underground tank and fuel line, and dispenser, right to the vehicle. The site is easy to navigate and customers can learn about Warren Rogers’ real-time technology and reporting and other services such as continual reconciliation analysis (CITLDS), advanced flow diagnostics, audit technology, statistical inventory reconciliation analysis (SIRA), and more. 
In addition, the website features an educational video which highlights five of the key ways Warren Rogers can help high-volume fuel site owners enhance operation efficiency and increase profits. William Jones, president and CEO of Warren Rogers Associates said, “With our comprehensive fuel management system, there are many ways we help fuel profitability. For the video, we selected five of the most common issues customers are concerned about and the specific actions we can take to address them — to ultimately make a real difference in their fuel business.” 
The five topics of the video include:

Meter drift analysis and identifying dispensers that are giving away fuel
Detecting delivery shortages and discrepancies with bills of lading volumes
Pinpointing dispenser flow rate issues
Providing timely alerts about fuel theft
Identifying equipment and dispenser problems in real-time to expedite repairs 

How else can Warren Rogers help you?  

We also offer the ultimate in down fueling position and slow flow reporting via our real-time, 24/7 portal called fuelWRAp and industry-leading operational […]

Are you running on empty?

By |December 9th, 2020|Categories: Uncategorized||0 Comments

 

Middletown, RI- Protecting fuel profits is a priority for you and it’s a priority for us. One of the most-difficult operational challenges for fuel retailers today is the prediction of when they may need fuel for their retail locations. Often, due to tank size, it is a just-in-time decision that has to be made in order for the load to fit into the underground tank. Serious issues can arise when a tank runs out of fuel, ranging from lost sales, profits, frustrated customers, and the potential shutdown of your fueling system until new supply arrives. No one likes to run out of gas!

There are many reasons why your convenience store or travel center might run out of fuel:

-Unexpected surges in customer fuel purchases fostered by the weather, street price increases or drops, competitive activity, supply shortages, or other anomalies.
-Inattentive store managers, supply departments, or fuel transporters.
-Archaic inventory collection or communication methods (phone, fax, email).
-Spreadsheets or other manual methods to predict fuel needs.
-Hauler equipment breakdowns.
-Driver, short-handed staff, or fuel terminal delays.
-And, on and on……………..

That’s why we developed the new Warren Rogers’ Procurement application.

Some questions to consider:

-How would you like to know 12 Hours from Runout when you have a tank running low, and every hour until it was refilled? Via text or email and only to those who you wish to receive the alerts.
-How would you like to use daily sales and other algorithms to predict when you need fuel?
-How would you like an online or mobile portal for your Supply Department, 3rd Party Haulers, and even drivers to see your tank inventories in real-time, 24/7?  All on their phone, desktop, or tablet?
-How would […]

How are you detecting slowing fuel dispensers today?

By |December 7th, 2020|Categories: Uncategorized||0 Comments

 

Middletown, RI-  Of course, we are always in a hurry! However, one of the biggest disappointments for any fuel customer is when the dispenser is pumping slowly. Slow fuel flow can happen for many reasons, but, as a fuel operator, how are you detecting or finding out that your equipment is not operating up-to-par?

Are you reliant on your customers to let your store manager know when your dispensers are pumping slowly? We hope not. The normal customer expectation is for gasoline to flow at between 8 and 10 gallons per minute (and 35-45 gallons/minute for truck diesel). By the time a customer gets out of their car and begins a pay at-the-pump transaction, the average fueling usually time takes 3-4 minutes. Any longer, and your customer will not be very happy, especially in the Winter! In fact, an underperforming dispenser can add 1-2 minutes to an-already frustrating experience for your customers. To a freezing customer, that can seem like a lifetime.

Some reasons for slowing flow can be related to clogging fuel filters, a defective nozzle, or your tank motors (commonly-called submersibles), not performing properly. In high-volume locations, a slow-down at the fuel lanes, particularly during peak times, can be devastating to your business. Complex motor arrangements, manifolded tanks, or a lack of proper maintenance, can also make detection and correction challenging.
How can Warren Rogers help?  
We offer the ultimate in down fueling position and slow flow reporting via our real-time, 24/7 portal called fuelWRAp and industry-leading operational reporting procedures.  fuelWRAp is viewable on desktop, tablet, and mobile.  We monitor EVERY transaction through every site and every dispenser and calculate the speed of those transactions over a short time period. Our analytics then determine when we see […]

Down Dispensers Got you Down?

By |December 2nd, 2020|Categories: Uncategorized||0 Comments

 

Middletown, RI- UGH…..The dreaded Out of Order Nozzle Bag!

One of the toughest challenges of running a multi-store convenience or travel center chain can be related to keeping your fuel lanes running smoothly.  Often, fueling positions can go down without being promptly-reported to the corporate maintenance department or a 3rd-party repair company, if at all. In these busy and complicated Covid-19 times, priorities have changed and many companies are operating remotely or on thin crews, both in offices as well as the stores, making good communication even harder to accomplish.

A down fueling position can cost your company precious gallons and margin pretty quickly. We are all in a hurry as you well know. Customer frustration can grow when customers pull up to broken dispensers or see Out of Order signs frequently. This lack of proper maintenance can also negatively impact your company’s reputation. It only takes 1-2 poor experiences to send that customer down the road to your competitor, unfortunately. Many customers may not give you a second chance.

There are many factors that can cause a dispenser to go down:

Broken or defective nozzles
Stopped filters
Clogged or defective meters
Loss or interruption of power or connection to fuel controller
Fuel runouts
other electronic malfunctions

Today, many operators are reliant on the store manager or other attentive associates to report broken fueling positions. A manual process for the reporting of dispenser repair needs can carry many risks, however:

The manager does not recognize that a fueling position is not operating properly.
A fuel clerk does not follow the proper protocol for reporting the repair need to the store manager.
Your in-house maintenance department or 3rd-party repair company does not log the repair or deprioritizes your repair […]

Caroline Walker, Director of Research, Warren Rogers, to present at 2020 Sigma Annual Conference

By |October 16th, 2020|Categories: Uncategorized||0 Comments

 

Middletown, RI-We are excited to announce that Warren Rogers’ own Caroline Walker, Director of Research, will be presenting a virtual session at the upcoming 2020 SIGMA Annual Conference, occurring from November 9-13, 2020. The subject is Operational Analytics and the Forecourt. We hope that you will take some time to review her insights. She will demonstrate ways in which you curate available data in order to take travel center and c-store operational oversight to an optimal level. Learn more about how we help retailers “curate” their data at www.warrenrogers.com.

UPDATE:  View the session at this link on the Warren Rogers YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS5a_qCGvZ4

Caroline Walker has a strong background in mathematical statistics (B.S. MIT, M.S. University of Washington) and a passion for solving challenging problems. Since joining Warren Rogers in 2013 she has continued to advance our proud legacy of innovation, developing next generation analytical tools which leverage the power of big data to provide our customers with actionable insights- enabling them to maintain high standards in maintenance efficiency, ensure positive customer experiences at the pump, and increase forecourt profitability. At Warren Rogers, Caroline loves having the opportunity to work closely with customers to find the perfect-fit solution for their novel analytical and diagnostic needs. In addition to her analytical work Caroline has presented at a number of national conferences, most recently including the 2020 SAS Global Forum where she gave the talk “Principal Component Analysis Demystified”.
How can Warren Rogers help you?
Implementing improved system controls can greatly-increase efficiency in preventing fraud, abuse, or theft. With Warren Roger’s fuelWRAp Real-Time App, you can get:

*tighter fuel inventory control
*important equipment alerts
*detailed reports, and much more.
*interactive charts and graphs as well as historical data right to any of your devices
*dedicated account support […]

Fuel Losses and How You Can Prevent Them

By |August 25th, 2020|Categories: Uncategorized||0 Comments

By Caleigh Millette, Warren Rogers Associates, 2020

Fuel management systems are important for maintaining, controlling, and monitoring both stock and fuel consumption. These system controls are meant to detect and prevent any potential fraud or abuse, saving you trouble in the future. Fraud or abuse can be a result of fuel leakages, thefts, inaccurate deliveries, or siphoning. Fuel theft can also be known as “shrinkage”, or any discrepancies in the amount of product onsite versus the amount the software reports. 

Fuel theft can take place internally or externally. Internal theft occurs when an employee of a C-store or retailer pumps fuel without ringing the transaction up. External theft is usually when a customer drives off without paying. Luckily, these types of thefts can be prevented or identified through security cameras and prepayment transactions. 

However, when it comes to other types of fuel theft, having the proper technology can allow you to see both dispenser and tank activity in order to pinpoint the exact time of the fraudulent transaction(s). Accurately tracking fuel levels in all systems can allow you:

 *to identify potential delivery shortages/overages, leaks, losses, or manual errors with your fuel tanks. 
*be alerted with proper and updated technology, ‒ in real-time ‒  about any inaccuracy after a delivery. This can be achieved by monitoring your automatic tank gauge (ATG), which can help you keep track of your tank amounts and fuel sales. 
*to use these high-tech tools and easily avoid the cost of missing fuel. 

How can Warren Rogers help?

Implementing improved system controls can greatly-increase efficiency in preventing fraud, abuse, or theft. With Warren Roger’s fuelWRAp Real-Time App, you can get:

*tighter fuel inventory control
*important equipment alerts
*detailed reports, and much more.
*interactive charts and […]

Biodiesel Sales Predicted to Double by 2025. But, managing Biodiesel can be complex.

By |August 17th, 2020|Categories: Uncategorized||0 Comments

 

By Tony Caputo, Director of Business Development, Warren Rogers, August 2020

A recent article from the Wall Street Journal stated that “the coronavirus pandemic has crushed demand for fuels such as gasoline and jet fuel, and many expect global oil consumption to remain depressed for years. But the appetite for so-called renewable fuel is poised to grow because of government regulations in places, such as California, that are designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Greener Fuel U.S. renewable diesel consumption is poised to continue climbing as environmental rules tighten.” 1

Bob Herman, Phillips 66’s refining chief, spoke of the refinery conversions taking place to increase profitability, “The economic conditions are ripe for it,” He further added that “the company’s San Francisco-area facility isn’t making money as a traditional refinery.”1

In the same article, Turner Mason, an analytics firm, estimated that, as California’s rules become stricter and other states consider adopting similar rules, U.S. renewable-diesel consumption is projected to roughly double over the next decade to around 1.1 billion gallons a year.1

Per the US Department of Energy, Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning renewable replacement for petroleum diesel fuel. It can be manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease. Agri-biodiesel comes solely from virgin oils (soybean, corn, sunflower seed, cotton seeds, canola, etc.) or animal fats. Renewable biodiesel is derived from biomass and is treated the same as biodiesel for tax purposes.2

As such, Biodiesel is quickly becoming a source of additional margin and profit for traditional travel center operators.  This is also tempting conventional convenience store operators, such as Thornton’s, Speedway, and RaceTrac, into stepping into the travel center and bio-diesel blending business. But, with biodiesel, comes many positives, higher profits………and more complexities.

EPA credits can be as high as […]

Get my drift? Meter drift explained.

By |August 12th, 2020|Categories: Uncategorized||0 Comments

 

 

Get my drift? Meter drift explained.

By Caleigh Millette, Warren Rogers Associates, 2020

 

What is meter drift? How can it be fixed?

Meters tend to drift when they are out of alignment or off center, usually in the positive direction. This results in more fuel being pumped out than what the customer paid for, which can lead to considerable money loss for your business over time. Meter drift can become more serious as the dispenser ages, though all dispensers may drift at their own rate. As a meter naturally wears down, more fuel passes through than expected.

Flow meters measure the amount of fuel being dispensed and can show leaks through data. Because of this, flow meters are essential in detecting problems and preventing harm to public and environmental health and safety. For flow meters to perform properly and accurately detect problems as they arise, they need to be well-maintained and calibrated when necessary.

Conducting calibrations on your meters whenever necessary can prevent them from performing inaccurately, thus preventing fuel loss — and money loss. Most of the time, calibrations are required at least once a year. A meter that cannot be effectively calibrated may need to be replaced or repaired. 

 

How Warren Rogers can help:

We display and report on locations with slowing fueling positions, dispenser meters out of variance, sites with communication loss, and tanks showing water. We also offer real-time, interactive tank and dispenser performance charting. We will even prioritize issues based on their impact to your site revenue, so you can fix the most costly issues first.

Your Warren Rogers analyst support team can customize reports and email alerts to meet your specific needs, and offers first-class troubleshooting assistance — all viewable on desktop, tablet, or mobile (great […]

Want to boost your forecourt’s profitability? Here are five things every fuel retailer should know.

By |August 12th, 2020|Categories: Uncategorized||0 Comments

Want to boost your forecourt’s profitability? Here are five things every fuel retailer should know.

By Tony Caputo, Director of Business Development, Warren Rogers Associates, 2020

The weights and measures inspector protects your customer — not your fuel inventory. An inspector can give your store a “thumbs up” in terms of meeting tolerances, even though you may be losing hundreds of gallons of product due to meter drift. Our patented meter drift technology protects you, your fuel inventory, and your customers by identifying meters that are drifting away from strike and holding back or giving away product. Meter drift analysis reports for each dispenser position associated with a product help you identify meter error’s impact on profitability.
You don’t always receive the delivery amounts you pay for. Terminals, carriers, and drivers will all push back hard if you question a delivery amount and claim a delivery shortfall.– With our Continual Reconciliation data at your disposal, including actual calculated delivery amounts, you’ll have the information and evidence you need to pursue claims of fuel shortages. We identify the gross and net amounts of product actually-delivered to the tank system, which is critical information because deliveries to retail facilities are not metered when product is introduced. Our delivery audit provides a reliable measure of the actual amount of product delivered versus the bills of lading, and our precise delivery calculations consider factors such as temperature, tank geometry, and elapsed sales.
Want to attract business from the forecourt into the store? Don’t ignore slow flow rates that irritate customers.– Restoring a dispenser to its proper flow rate will increase sales at the position by up to 20% and help increase your store traffic. Our system calculates dispenser […]