Systems-based solutions for bottom line results

About OQ

Industry

SERVICES PROVIDED

ABOUT

The Challenge

To help meet their growth goals, OQ wanted to implement systems-based solutions for all their transportation and logistics operations.

Global changes in technology mandated the company seek a new business model, including increased automation to minimize paperwork and less reliance on manual activities t o reduce the possibilities of errors.

“We were looking for an all-round solution to meet our vision. We wanted a company that not only has a worldwide presence but can also provide the best systems,” says OQ Global Supply Chain Manager, Dawood Al Rahbi.

“OQ’s priority was to engage the right logistics service provider to handle and manage the movement of polymers by sea and road while meeting all compliance, performance, and cost optimization expectations,” says Bill Black, BDP’s Director, Global Chemical Sales.

“They wanted a resource with a strong global network who could partner with them as they navigated their global growth expansion plans and hub -- delay in-transit -- shipments.”

The Solution

Syed Ali, Country Manager for PSA BDP Oman, explains, “The first step was to bring together key staff, including the company’s expert Project handling and transition team that has extensive experience as a lead logistics provider within the energy and chemical sectors. With the support of [our] local operational management we collectively used our supply chain expertise to process-map the key milestones within the OQ supply chain."

“At all stages we partnered with OQ personnel, to review, agree on and implement a process that would add efficiency, optimization and time savings, supported with agreed ‘checks and balances’ in terms of KPI’s to ensure a seamless and accurate execution of the operational, documentation and visibility delivery.”

Global visibility of OQ’s shipments cargo is critical. Black recommended Smart Suite®, the company’s set of intuitive applications designed to deliver real-time, end-to-end visibility of data and documentation, including milestones and exceptions.

“Smart provides easy access to key data, so that we and our client can quickly make the right decisions to help drive bottom-line value for them,” Black emphasizes.

Our solutions and value propositions for OQ include:

PSA BDP’s extensive local, GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) expertise, global network and excellent relationships with local customs, port and carriers
Technology solutions to ensure connectivity and provide real-time global visibility and tracking, and cost improvements
On-time carrier slot bookings
Hub Management Services
In-Transit Monitoring Services
Experienced staff to conduct screening of Letters of Credit, preparation and execution of shipping Instructions, complete bills of Lading audits, as well as the finalization of the original BL on behalf of OQ
Swift response to and corrective action for any challenging situation
Data Management Systems
PSA BDP’s Meridian operating system for operations
PSA BDP also provides direct EDI connectivity to OQ’s SAP system.

Dawood states, “[PSA BDP] has been helpful in changing the way we conduct business by bringing in systems-based solutions, thereby reducing paperwork and also helping to reduce time taken to complete a task.”

Manual tasks have been significantly reduced, which has increased productivity and provided cost savings,” he adds.

“[PSA BDP] achieved sixty percent paper reduction in the project,” Black says. “Our documentation team works completely paperless except those documents for customs and port authority requirements.”

“[PSA BDP’s] Document Management System - DMS - can store all OQ documents related to shipments for a period of 10 years and which can easily be retrieved by reducing the need of hard copies for later audits. While using [PSA BDP’s] IT systems, we achieved a productivity increase, i.e. completion of more files with reduced manpower, also a cost saving for OQ.”

According to Dawood, the primary capabilities OQ looks for in the selection of a transportation and logistics resource are the very elements the company found when they chose PSA BDP: professionalism, systems-based solutions, efficient and quick adaptation to changes and challenges.