Petro Manager FAQ
- What are the core functions of PetroManager?
- What is the difference between PetroManager and PetroSupervisor
- Will my metering equipment work with PetroManager?
- Some of the electronic presets mentioned in the driver list are old, while others are quite new. Is there a reason for this?
- How is my data protected from unauthorized changes?
- My site requires 24 hour uptime. What provisions does PetroManager have for recovery if hardware fails?
- How about theft? Is the PetroManager system secure?
- What is the maximum number of operator interface clients that can be connected to the server?
- How is a typical PetroManager system deployed?
- Can I use commodity/branded PCs as operator interface clients with the PetroManager system?
What are the core functions of PetroManager?
The main features of PetroManager are:
- Order Management, including handling of returns, collections and credit.
- Single and multi-compartment loads with multiple products.
- Additivised and blended loads.
- Alarm control Management, including device failure alarms, data communicaiton alarms and unauthorised data entry alarms.
- Interface to pump PLCs and third-party systems.
- Secure remote order entry.
What is the difference between PetroSupervisor and PetroManager?
PetroManager is designed for use in main distribution terminals, large chemical plants, and refineries. While the product loading aspects are similar, PetroSupervisor's system is based on the concept of loading authorisations as favoured by fuel wholesalers, small businesses with private fuel stocks and authorised distributors for branded fuels.
By contrast, PetroManager follows a procedure in which orders must be placed and then taken by specific drivers and vehicles. Invoicing can also be handled by the system.
Will my metering equipment work with PetroManager?
Very likely yes. Oilband has worked closely with the equipment built by the major flowmeter suppliers. If we did not already have a device driver available, we would be able to quote for a driver to be written and this would not have a significant impact on the delivery cost.
We have extensive experience of protocol analysis and black-box reverse engineering of undocumented and poorly-documented device communications, and if your device has a publicly available specification, we will certainly be able to ensure that PetroManager will operate seamlessly with your existing investments.
PetroManager has drivers for electronic presets from Avery, Smith, Daniel, Isoil, Brooks, SAMPI, Contrec and others.
Some of the electronic presets mentioned in the driver list are old, while others are quite new. Is there a reason for this?
Yes. We developed the PetroManager system to benefit large terminals worldwide, and this means the PetroManager system is developed to suit the reality of downstream distribution. Once installed, a lot of presets can stay in use for many years, and obsolete equipment is often phased out one bay at a time, gradually being replaced by newer units.
While we do offer procurement and installation services for replacing old equipment, as an independent software provider we are prepared to install our software even in situations where the customer wants to continue with their existing hardware investment, and this means we have to support some quite old devices as well as providing a good level of impartial, cross-vendor compatibility.
How is my data protected from unauthorized changes?
PetroManager has role-based access control features which prevent users having access to data they do not need. Accounts can be set up which give different users different levels of access, including restricted read, write and delete rights.
My site requires 24 hour uptime. What provisions does PetroManager have for recovery if hardware fails?
PetroManager can be strengthened with an optional PetroBackup system. This will duplicate the main control system's database on a per-modificaiton basis, leaving you with an identical duplicate system on a seperate server. PetroBackup itself has the ability to serve as an immediate drop-in replacement should the main server be rendered inoperable by hardware failure.
The PetroBackup system may then be reconfigured to act as a PetroManager system, with the physical communications lines being switched over from the inoperable server to the replacement. The terminal would then have a fully operational system in under 5 minutes, with all data available immediately.
How about theft? Is the PetroManager system secure?
PetroManager offers comprehensive data protection, thanks to the use of standard encryption algorithms and the use of fine-grained access control.
How is a typical PetroManager system deployed?
PetroManager is typically combined with one or more additional modules. Most of these are installed on the same server as the core PetroManager component, for example the stock reconcilliation system PetroStocks, the credit control system PetroLedger and the tank gauging system PetroMonitor.
- At least one PetroClient is required to serve as the maintenance interface, but the system operators will usually have additional PetroClients installed on desktop PCs.
- A PetroBackup system is usually deployed on a second server to provide redundancy, and this has a duplicate copy of the software installed on the main server.
What is the maximum number of operator interface clients that can be connected to the server?
There is no practical limit to the number of operator interfaces that can connect to the system. A typical installation usually has up to 6, but this reflects customer preference rather than any technical limitation.
Can I use commodity/branded PCs as operator interface clients with the PetroManager system?
Yes. PetroClient can be deployed on any PC meeting the following specification:
- Windows XP, 2000, 2003, Solaris 10 or Linux 2.6 operating system
- 512MB RAM
- 2GHz CPU
- 100base network card