TERMINAL AUTOMATION
The major European terminal operator has turned to several automation solutions from a single supplier to upgrade aspects of its entry and delivery systems at a site in Antwerp, Belgium. And, subject to satisfactory performance, the same equipment is due to be rolled out across 10 other sites owned by the same terminal operator in Belgium, in The Netherlands and Luxembourg, plus Norway and Italy. The first plant in Antwerp which underwent upgrades is close to Toptech's European headquarters and at the outset involved the identification of plant-specific functionalities, quality assurance testing, system configuration based on specific terminal characteristics, plus engineering design and implementation, testing, and finally, deployment of the terminal automation equipment. Work encompassed Toptech's VeriFID secure entry system; MultiLoad loading arm controls, and its Terminal Management System (TMS) - TMS5. "Based on the outcome from this first implementation, the customer's top management would decide whether or not to continue with the implementation of TMS5 in future sites," explains Jim Xander, marketing manager of Toptech Systems Inc. Equipment performance at the Antwerp installation, comprising TMS5, VeriFID and MultiLoad, exceeded expectations, Xander says. Now the client is evaluating performance at its Antwerp facility before deploying the same systems at its 10 other European sites.
