Challenges
Profitability for bulk fuel distributors is dependent on efficient and accurate management of the processes involved in fuel sales.  But managing these processes is highly manual, time-consuming, and error-prone for many distributors.  Errors in price quoting lead to substantially decreased margin and lost business.  Inability to take decisive action on buyer credit information can result in unnecessary and costly risk.  Any difficulties experienced in ordering product from you is likely to result in lost sales.  And lack of visibility into margins associated with sales orders can lead to reduced profitability or even selling below cost.

Jobbers and carriers strive to provide superior service to their retail customers and minimize costs for improved margin. Manual processes can increase costs unnecessarily and impact supplier and retailer relationships. Additionally, the distributor market is highly competitive, which drives companies to look for service and pricing advantages.

How Does FuelQuest Help?
Within the fuel supply chain, there are opportunities to optimize purchasing and sales processes, improve service levels, and lower supply and operations costs. FuelQuest enables distributors to do so via its Fuel Management System software, licensed distributor consulting services, and Zytax Compliance software. FuelQuest distributor customers include Apex Oil, Global Companies, Petroleum Traders Corporation, Sun Coast Resources, and many more. With FuelQuest, distributors gain:

• Greater efficiencies in their dispatch, sourcing, quoting, sales, and freight operations
• Faster payments and reduced risk of non-payment by buyers and over-payment to suppliers
• Improved margins via increased visibility and the opportunity to become a licensed distributor
• PCATS-compliance on delivery report and carrier load tender interfaces.

With FuelQuest, distributors can also offer their customers greater visibility into service levels. This differentiates the distributor offering from others in the market and creates a more transparent vendor-managed inventory service opportunity.

Becoming a Licensed Distributor

Distributors, retailers, fleets, and other downstream companies have the option of becoming a licensed distributor, which means they take motor fuels tax collection and remittance responsibility (versus the supplier having it). This can be advantageous for four reasons:

1. Allowance: Called a shrinkage or handling allowance, a discount is available in most states for taxes owed to the government
2. Float: Due to regulations on when distributors must remit taxes, an sizable float opportunity exists for anywhere from 21 to 62 days.
3. Supply: Distributors improve margin by increasing the number of supply options available.
4. Delivery: Retailers in particular reduce fuel costs by avoiding the premium of delivered pricing and can simply lower their overall freight costs.

Becoming a licensed distributor is not for everyone. Volume minimums and jurisdictional regulations will affect this decision. FuelQuest has consulting services that can quickly determine whether this is right for you.

What Is Fuel Management System (FMS)?

Fuel Management System is Software as a Service (SaaS) based product that automates all aspects of the fuel management process providing demand forecasting, inventory management, purchase and sales order management, dispatching, environmental compliance, financial reconciliation, and more so customers can gain greater control and visibility over fuel as well as reduced fuel expenses. FMS powers the largest bulk fuel management network in the world and is in use by retailers and distributors - both small and large. To learn more, please visit our Fuel Management System page.

What is ForeSite^TM SV?

ForeSite SV provides real-time, independent visibility into fuel management operations, allowing supervisors to monitor and ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of their replenishment plans.
To learn more, please visit our ForeSite SV page.

What is ForeSite^TM IC?

ForeSite IC helps fuel managers track inventory and resolve issues with theft, fraud, leakage, deliveries, dispensing equipment, and operational errors that cause inventory variances.
To learn more, please visit our ForeSite IC page.

What is ForeSite^TM MM?

FuelQuest ForeSite MM (Margin Management) provides fast, accurate visibility and control over margin and price compliance at the site level.
To learn more, please visit our ForeSite MM page.

What Is Zytax Determination?

Zytax Determination integrates with existing back-office systems to automate the process of identifying and calculating indirect taxes on petroleum transactions.  It's a unique, out-of-the-box solution for petroleum suppliers, distributors, or traders, with comprehensive support for excise, environmental, and sales & use taxes, including:  Federal, state, city, and county taxes.  To learn more, please visit our Zytax Determination page.

What Is Zytax Compliance?

Zytax Compliance is a software product that automates the import, processing, and filing of indirect taxes to local, county, state, and federal jurisdictions across the entire U.S. and internationally. Compliance reduces the complexity of the tax filing process generating signature-ready tax returns for distributors, retailers, suppliers, fleets, and other filers. Compliance lowers operational costs and improves filing accuracy and reliability minimizing business and compliance risks. Zytax Compliance is available in a SaaS version and includes automatic feeds of rules, rates, and form changes across all jurisdictions. To learn more, please visit our Zytax Compliance page.