Managing fuel costs, theft

The system is supported by a number of trademark owners such as Engen, Caltex and Sasol who have invested an excess of R250 million in the system. To date it has been installed in almost 800 service stations throughout South Africa and in 34 stations across Namibia.

Tamper-proof technology

The technology enables a vehicle fitted with a Vehicle Identification Unit (VIU) to be identified by a controller connected to the fuelling nozzle once the nozzle is inserted into the fuel inlet on the vehicle. The pump will switch on only once the vehicle has been identified and authorised for refuelling. This insures that the correct vehicle is refuelled and any attempts at removing the device or refuelling another vehicle will immediately suspend the transaction. Payment for the fuel procured at a retail forecourt is managed through the normal banking infrastructure.

Managing fuelling activities

During refuelling, data such as the vehicle's odometer, vehicle make and model, fuel type, transaction volume and value are accurately recorded. Data collected from multiple sites is then consolidated and reports generated from this information are delivered to fleet managers or other designated staff via its specially designed software applications.

This software also enables authorised fleet personnel to manage their fuelling activities more proactively, identify and question any anomalies in the fleet. There is a 24-hour helpdesk and all calls are logged to ensure that the necessary remedial action is taken.

Reducing fuel fraud

"By cutting out human intervention when it comes to authorising and settling fuelling transactions as well as capturing and recording data, the system can aid in preventing fuel fraud,” says Lisa Esch, AFS group account manager. “Because all fuel is recorded, unauthorised and foreign purchases such as filling another vehicle or purchasing goods from the shop are easily identified and can be quickly managed. In addition to saving between 5% and 50% on fuel costs, the removal of the traditionally cumbersome manual process of data capturing fuel slips contributes towards a significant difference to the bottom lines of our clients."

"We decided that it would be advantageous to install an advanced fuel management system that had a proven track record in the marketplace, " says IT manager, Jonathan Spencer of Manline, one of its latest clients.

Despite only been using eFuel for a short period, Spencer has noted, "Our staff have seen tighter controls and better data flow. In addition, eFuel is an all encompassing solution that provides the data visibility required to see where our fuel is being mismanaged."