Terminal Automation gives you complete control of loading and off-loading of product at your terminal or depot. Loading via ship, pipeline, rail car or road tanker can be automated through the appropriate use of loading computers, meters and/or weighbridges which can be interfaced to and driven by MHT’s SmartTAS Terminal Automation System. Where automated metering systems are not available, loading transactions can be manually entered into the central Stock Management System from meter tickets or other Bill of Lading (BOL) documents provided.

Physical stocks can be reconciled with transactional records of receipts and loads allowing any losses or gains to be quickly identified and accounted for. Launched in 2011, SmartTAS terminal automation software is a scalable solution which can communicate directly with a single loading skid at a typical depot or multiple gantries at larger oil terminals.

MHT’s systems are provided with a wide range of interfaces offering connectivity to most makes of loading computers, entry/exit controllers and weighbridges. Our SmartTAS Terminal Automation Software integrates to devices from all leading manufacturers, giving our customers the flexibility to use the Loading Computers, Access Control Units and Weighbridges that give the best fit for their terminal or depot. Using SmartTAS alongside our VTW Tank Gauging System and Bookstock Stock Reconciliation and Accounting Module can provide your terminal with a complete overview of all stocks, receipts, loads and transfers.

benefits



Safety

Provides safe and secure loading or offloading of the product by automating road, rail, ship or pipeline movements. On arrival at the site, the driver can select the order to be taken and all of the load details are downloaded to the loading computers to enable loading. This method reduces the risk of loading incorrect quantities/products into the wrong compartments.

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Cost Savings

Ensures that compartments are not overloaded, or loaded with the wrong product. Losses and gains occur due to different reasons such as leakage, unaccounted quantities in pipelines, expansion/contraction of the liquid due to temperature and measurement instrument inaccuracies. The Stock Management System identifies the variances between physical and Bookstock, which can then be investigated and managed accordingly.

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Efficiency

Truck Queuing can be used to optimise the flow of vehicles through your terminal, ensuring the optimal use of your assets. Can be integrated with your ERP system to automatically download orders and upload transactional data for further efficiency gains.

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Security

Controls Pedestrian and vehicle access to the site by providing authorised personnel and vehicles with an RFiD card, PIN number or ID tag. Unauthorized movement alarms can be fitted, plus Site Access Control configuration for entry and exit of vehicles, pedestrians and personnel. there is also the ability to have watchdog video surveillance incorporation and third party Fire and Gas detection safety system for emergency response.

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Stock Control and Reconciliation

Receipts and withdrawals can be easily measured and accounted for by automated devices or manually supplied data, the measured stock (physical stock) at any point in time is available from the VTW Tank Inventory System, which together provides all the data for reconciliation.

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Loading Automation

Safe and secure loading to avoid contamination, overfilling, theft, and unauthorised access. Uninterrupted filling of vehicles and vessels. Early warning when stocks are running low to ensure continuity of supply. Accurate and detailed records of all loading transactions for stock, reporting, billing, etc.

TERMINAL AUTOMATION Software

SMARtTAS

SmartTAS is a Windows-based total terminal management system designed to meet the requirements of depots and terminals. Interfacing to most vendor devices used for access control, rack loading computers, and weighbridges, SmartTAS provides total management control of product movement and a secure and controlled loading and off-loading procedure for all movement types. SmartTAS also enables total site control and overview, allowing operators to access details of all gantries, loading arms, vehicles, drivers, and product in use on-site.

Terminal Automation system.
Windows 10 / Windows Server 2019 compatible.
Open system for access control units, loading computers, and weighbridges.
Configurable to easily accommodate different workflow procedures.
Interfaces with VTW for real-time physical stock data.
BookStock Stock Reconciliation module available.
Vehicle queuing.
Self-service Kiosk

Product UN Hazard Codes are now fully editable, customers can change the languages presented and add new hazard codes to fit their operations
Addresses are now first-class data items in TAS
seal details can be entered at the bay, and support for the Danload DL8000 in a multi-arm deployment
Integration to 3rd party systems is now possible through a new built-in OPC UA service
SmartTAS can publish live loading bay information, including transaction data such as driver names, order numbers, and vehicle registrations
Prepare documentation for vehicles that have been manually “topped off” or moved to another loading bay to complete a load

stock reconciliation Software

bookstock

BookStock is a bulk liquid stock accounting application on suitable for sites handling petroleum products and other bulk liquids. The BookStock application is a scalable system suitable for single or multi-user environments. It features built-in multi-site capability, allowing the management of many sites by one central stock accounting team. It can operate in a purely manual setting where all data is entered manually, or it can be connected to a range of automation systems for collecting data automatically. Available as a module alongside SmartTAS.

Bulk liquid stock accounting application.
Windows 10 / Windows Server 2019 compatible.
Seamless integration with VTW and SmartTAS.
Suitable for sites handling petroleum products and other bulk liquids.
Performs calculations to API/ASTM standards.
Comprehensive, customisable reports.
At the month end the losses and gains can be attributed automatically from Co-mingled storage.
Aviation capabilities such as hydrant movements, average density and temperature figures and Sarbanes-Oxley compliant reporting.

Reports on demand – All reports are designed with Crystal Reports although
other reporting tools can be supported.
Security – A security system is in place which permits users to set
up accounts for each user and to assign each user their own set of rights
Remote access – Remote Access to the BookStock system can be provided
via the internet.
Interfacing – BookStock’s open database architecture and the use of modern communication on technologies enable data to be transferred to other systems very easily.
Supports different architecture.
Special applications designed for handling hazardous waste.

hardware

RMS2

RMS2 integrates with the VTW Tank Gauging System to automatically announce alarms over a site radio system.
requires an Ethernet connection to the tank gauging system and
connection to a radio base station.
Virtualisation and high availability.
Interfaces with VTW for real-time physical stock data.
Fail-safe component.

Discover more

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MHT Blog Home MHT Company News Tank Gauging

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MHT Launches New Terminal Automation and Tank Gauging Features in lockdown

Digital Transformation MHT Blog Home Tank Gauging Terminal Automation

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LNG Information Exchange

MHT Blog Home Tank Gauging Terminal Automation

MHT Technology Ltd.’s Product Manager Marcus Webster travelled to China last week to support Endress+Hauser (MHT’s parent company) in visiting customers at various LNG sites. His expertise was vital in providing a deeper understanding of LNG solutions and how MHT can further develop their software to serve the needs of the Chinese market.

China is now the largest oil and natural gas importer and the market for LNG in China is experiencing a period of growth. In 2018 the country imported 53 million tonnes of LNG and this is projected to reach 95 million tonnes in 2025 according to a report from Rystad…

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DATASHEETS

SMARTTAS TERMINAL AUTOMATION SOFTWARE

SmartTAS is a Windows-based total terminal management system designed to meet the requirements of depots and terminals. SmartTAS provides total management control of product movement and a secure and controlled loading and off-loading procedure for all movement types.

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rms2

MHT Technology Ltd’s new radio messaging system ‘RMS2’ was launched in March 2020, enabling digital tank gauging systems to send timely warning notifications using existing radio systems.

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bookstock

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What is a Terminal Automation System?

Bulk liquids and in particular fuels need to be dispatched from the sites where they are stored and produced much like any other commodity. Businesses involved in the supply of these commodities need to efficiently manage this process in order to minimise the costs to consumers. Automation of these businesses’ sites is a key way to reduce costs. Terminal automation systems combine software and hardware to efficiently manage the dispatch of bulk liquids; handling everything from the paperwork for consignments to ensuring physical safeguards are in place.

What is a Terminal Management System?

Terminal managers ensure that the operations undertaken at the site are fulfilled efficiently and safely. To achieve this many sites employ a Terminal Management System of which a Terminal Automation System and a Tank Farm Management System may be a part.

What is a Tank Farm Management System?

The storage of bulk liquids is a necessary part of the distribution chain from producer to consumer, at some point many of the liquid commodities we as a society consume will have been stored in a large vessel. Tank farms can be viewed as large warehouses, though the materials stockpiled there are in liquid form rather than solid. There are unique problems that the storage of bulk liquids present, ones that differentiate the work practices of tank farms from other warehouse distribution sites. The operational efficiency of a tank farm can be improved by employing a tank farm management system by allowing real-time inventory calculations, ensuring the safety of the movement of materials and providing monitoring of alarms at the site.