1. In This Issue
PilotPoints
TechTalk
FastForward
ServiceLink
FeedBack
Steve Jordan, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Central Crude in Lake
Charles, LA, says, “Since the very
beginning of Central Crude in 1974, we’ve
always believed that our success would
ultimately be based on our core values of
integrity, innovation and a strong work
ethic.” Obviously, Steve’s special “formula for success” has worked extremely well for his
company over the decades. In the 38-years since its initial founding, Central Crude has
grown to become the largest South Louisiana based crude oil
purchaser/transporter/marketer, while expanding beyond crude into natural gas gathering,
processing, treating and compression. And more recently, the company has begun trucking Steve Jordan
operations in support of the fast-growing Eagle Ford Shale trend in South Texas. Currently, Chairman & CEO
Central Crude is building a trucking terminal near Kennedy, Texas, right in the heart of the
drilling activity. Steve Jordan describes Central’s rapid growth in these terms: “Diversity has become our
strongest asset. We serve a large number of clients, ranging from major oil corporations to independently-
owned companies. Our entire Central Crude team recognizes and readily accepts the premise that our
customers’ loyalty to us is absolutely critical to our continued success…and their
loyalty depends entirely on our solid performance every day of the year!”
With its impressive market expansion, Central Crude’s daily focus on exceptional
performance and building strong loyalty among its customer base has led them to a
recognized need to consider new automation technology to ensure optimal customer
service, workforce productivity, data accuracy and regulatory compliance. With over 40
company-owned and owner-operated crude hauling trucks, the company definitely
recognizes the value of a paperless system. George Jordan, Chief Operating Officer,
put the company’s challenge in these terms: “With our expanded diversity comes
significant increases in the complexity of doing business – in keeping track of the
myriad of details we’re currently dealing with in our crude oil and natural gas
operations. We made a decision to investigate the advantages and benefits of
George Jordan automating our fleet of crude oil trucks initially.”
COO

2. Management at Central Crude looked to the marketplace and discovered that the vast majority of all automated
crude oil transporters in the U.S. have relied on TouchStar solutions. As a long-time innovator of Mobility
Software applications for the Oil & Gas Industry, TouchStar was eager to work with Central Crude in the
development of a software automation solution specifically designed to meet their needs. Kevin Dufrene, Chief
Financial Officer for Central, established the crucial objectives for the proposed new venture:
1. Significantly reduce “back office clutter”, or the total number of hand-processed tickets (thousands per
month currently);
2. Drive greater attention to D.O.T. compliance issues, ensuring improved scorecard grades, particularly
with regard to “Hours of Driver Service”;
3. Reduction in “Days Sales Outstanding” (DSO), permitting earlier billing and faster revenue retrieval;
4. Gain a more accurate, real-time accounting of where and what crude oil markets our products are going
to, in an effort to optimize our marketing efforts.
Kevin Dufrene, CFO, says, “The TouchStar team showed us how their field-proven, in-
cab Mobility Software application, CrudePac, through a new custom interface with
WolfePak back office Enterprise software, would provide the solutions we were looking
for. For example, it would permit us to capture the all-important “Hours of Driver
Service” data that’s so critical to D.O.T. compliance and to our overall safe operations.”
Steve Emerson, Lead Dispatch for Central Crude, and Dallas Wilks, WolfePak
Maintenance Supervisor, are both working closely with the TouchStar Team and with
Charlie Wolfe, Owner of WolfePak Software, in the development of the new specialized
interface. This combined effort will result in a pilot program for Central Crude that will
represent the first commercial integration of a WolfePak back office Enterprise Software
application with the comprehensive TouchStar CrudePac Mobility Software package. Kevin Dufrene
CFO
“We have great expectations for our new truck automation solution”, indicates Kevin
Dufrene, CFO at Central Crude. “We’re all anxious, from the management team, to our back office staff, to our
drivers in the field, to initiate the pilot program during 2012. If it’s as successful as we expect it to be, we’ll
definitely consider automating our water hauling fleet as well”, concluded Kevin Dufrene.
Sorting through the array of mobile computers available for business use is no easy task these days! Dozens
of manufacturers offer hundreds of devices, but only one may be best suited for your particular environment
and workforce. Rather than trying to stay on top of all the products that are being introduced and discontinued,
enterprise buyers can quickly cut to the chase by following 5-basic tips:
1. Consider the environment and the user;
2. Stick to industry standards and certifications;
3. Simplify support;
4. Require flexibility;
5. Pay attention to power.
1. Considering the Environment and the User:
The most important factor to finding the right fit for an enterprise

3. computer is the environment in which it will be used. Failure rates
for handheld devices vary widely, from 11% to 38% annually, which is a reflection of how rugged the mobile
computer is and how well it is suited for its specific usage environment. Drops are the leading cause of
damage to mobile computers. To be considered rugged – and therefore reliable – mobile computers must be
rated to repeatedly withstand at least 5-foot drops onto a non-yielding surface.
2. Sticking to Industry Standards and Certifications:
Rugged mobile computers are specialized devices designed for collecting data
and providing real-time information in non-office environments, but they should
still adhere to enterprise standards for connectivity, security and development,
whenever possible. Specifying devices that meet these standards criteria, will
help keep down development, integration and support expenses which can
vary greatly. Look for mobile device manufacturers that have partnerships or
certified interfaces with your Enterprise Software provider.
3. Simplified Support:
It’s very important to consider not only the workers who will use mobile computers, but those who will support
them as well. Support-friendly features and compatibility with IT asset management and mobile device
management systems help increase up-time and productivity while reducing support costs. Management
features can be a key differentiator between consumer-oriented and enterprise-grade mobile devices.
Changes to applications and device configurations are inevitable, so standardized systems and remote
management capability are key to keeping mobile device populations consistent and optimized.
4. Requiring Flexibility:
Rugged mobile computers can withstand drops, shocks, humidity, heat, cold, rain, snow and even occasional
vandalism. But often they can’t survive a “change of mind” or business requirements. The leading reason
mobile computers are replaced…is not damage or device failure. Instead, most mobile computers are
replaced because they’ve become technologically obsolete and can’t support desired information systems,
software applications or business processes. To avoid this unnecessary expense, it’s important to select
mobile computers that can change with the organization and provide a solid platform for future enhancements.
5. Paying Attention to Power:
Scanning and imaging, data collection and processing, wireless
communication and other enterprise mobile computing activities…all
draw power from the device’s battery. Power management is a very
important (and often overlooked) feature of mobile computers because it
directly impacts up-time and user productivity and acceptance.
Differentiating factors include whether data is lost if the device loses
power, how quickly batteries are recharged, whether the charging dock
prevents overcharging, the maximum number of times batteries can be
recharged, whether the mobile computer provides intelligent power management to limit its battery
consumption, and if extended-life batteries are available.
In summary, many mobile computers can quickly be ruled-out from consideration because they lack the battery
power to last the length of a shift, or lack the staying power to remain reliable throughout a 3-to-5-year life
cycle. Features like rugged construction, well-supported operating systems, standard interfaces, remote
management support and flexible peripherals provide value by protecting companies from having to replace
their mobile computers prematurely. By understanding how these features differentiate devices, and by
carefully considering the environment in which mobile computers will be used, enterprises will be able to
determine which specific models will provide the most value.
(Source: Intermec White Paper)

4. When Phillips Energy, Inc., a highly successful, Virginia based propane, fuel and services provider decided to
make its transition to an automated truck system, management had several key objectives: provide better
customer service; generate more accurate ticket information; increase delivery productivity; and reduce human
error and internal administrative burden. Fast-forward now…four months into the deployment, and Elizabeth
Phillips McCormick, Vice President of Phillips Energy, Inc., evaluates the new system in these positive terms,
“Through automation, we’ve already seen a significant cost savings in time saved on posting tickets and an
impressive reduction in paperwork!”
Susan Silvia, Operations Manager for Phillips Energy,
describes the company’s original quest for
automation systems in this manner: “We researched multiple
software providers in our industry and found the Blue Cow
Ignite platform to be the best Enterprise Software match for
our operational directives and our budget. Ignite’s ability to
interface with other technologies was also critical to our
decision-making process.” In terms of finding a
comprehensive propane Mobility Software application, and
after reviewing available truck interfaces, Phillips Energy
decided that the field-proven TouchStar GasPac application
would do the job and appeared to be very user-friendly. Plus, the 7”, large-screen TouchStar Treq in-cab
computer with related Blaster printer had earned a reputation for being durable and dependable.
Management at Phillips Energy made the decision to initiate their automation
process with their propane delivery trucks first, as part of a phased approach. They
essentially felt that bringing online a single classification of trucks that only had to
deal with one delivery product would be easier… especially going into the winter
season. With that strategy in place, Phillips Energy currently has its fleet of LP Gas
trucks running with the onboard Treq computers. When asked how the initial
implementation stages of the Blue Cow and TouchStar interface have gone, Susan
Silvia says, “As with any new interface/software integration, there are always going
to be hiccups. We’ve had our fair share, but realize that anytime you, as a business,
are vetting a combined system – which is what we’ve done – you’re going to have a
few bumps in the road! However, that being said, overall, we are extremely pleased
with how Blue Cow and TouchStar have pulled-through, making certain that our
needs have been heard and met!” Susan Silvia goes on to say, “Any new interface
will have issues that need to be ironed-out – pricing plans, data mapping issues, communication errors, etc. –
and keep in mind that no two businesses operate precisely the same. Consequently, I don’t believe that any
company considering an interface that will result in increased productivity and enhanced return-on-investment
should let a few minor issues along the way dissuade them from moving forward with a technology solution.”
Phillips Energy’s Propane Dispatch Manager, A.B. Fulcher, is excited about
the results of their propane pilot program as well: “The drivers have much
more information at their fingertips now – which is especially beneficial when
it comes to unscheduled deliveries. And the new automated system has
definitely resulted in far less errors and much less paperwork!” Fulcher
continues, “Our drivers really like the system – it’s easy-to-learn, easy-to-
operate, and they love the large 7” displays on the TouchStar Treq units in

5. their cabs. Our veteran drivers took a little longer to warm-up to the system,
but all are pleased now and would not do without it.”
The company is looking forward to automating its fleet of fuel trucks next, with
the installation of FuelWare. That Mobility application will be followed by
FleetMarshal, a TouchStar Enterprise Software program that introduces
dynamic dispatching. Elizabeth Phillips McCormick, V.P., puts it this way: “It
will be incredibly beneficial for our dispatchers to be able to visually verify the
amounts and types of fuels on the trucks at any given time – especially when
having to dispatch unscheduled deliveries.”
Elizabeth Phillips McCormick
Susan Silvia, Phillips Energy’s Operations Manager, summarized the Vice President
company’s position with regard to their new truck automation system: “The Phillips Energy, Inc.
experience has been highly educational for all of us. We take great pride in
the fact that we invested in two new products in one year and played an important role in vetting the TouchStar
interface with Blue Cow. As a result, I would fully expect that future users of the combined interface will be able
to take advantage of our effort and the fact that the wrinkles have already been worked-out. Finally, as we’ve
gone through this initial implementation stage, we have already seen definite improvements in our delivery and
posting process. We expect even greater results and enhanced performance as we move forward with these
advanced software solutions!”
NiCad vs. NiMH vs. Lithium Ion
What’s the difference? The main difference between the NiCad and the NiMH is that the NiMH battery (the
newer technology) offers higher energy density than NiCads. In other words, the capacity of a NiMH is
approximately twice the capacity of its NiCad counterpart. That additional capacity translates into increased
run-time from the battery with no additional bulk or weight. NiMH also offers another major advantage: NiCad
batteries tend to suffer from what is called the "memory effect". NiMH batteries are less prone to develop this
problem and thus require less maintenance and conditioning. NiMH batteries are also environmentally friendlier
than NiCad batteries since they do not contain heavy metals (which do present serious landfill problems). Do
be aware that not all devices can accept both NiCad and NiMH batteries.
Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) has become the new standard for power in
portable devices. Li-Ion batteries produce the same energy as
NiMH batteries but weigh approximately 20%-35% less. This
reduced weight can make a noticeable difference in mobile devices
such as cellular phones, camcorders or notebook computers where
the battery makes up a significant portion of the total weight.
Another reason Li-Ion batteries have become so popular is that they
do not suffer from the "memory effect". They’re also
environmentally friendly because they don't contain toxic materials
such as Cadmium or Mercury.
We greatly appreciate your many helpful responses to our recent “Oil & Gas Customer Satisfaction Survey”. In fact, we
thought you might find the cumulative feedback interesting. For example, your combined responses to question #19
indicate that over 75% of you feel the 3-primary benefits offered by mobile computing are:
“Improving invoices/& more accuracy in reporting”; “Savings in total drivers’ time”; and “Savings in office time”. (See
graph below for specific breakout)

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