Employees recently sent in questions they would like to see addressed by the management team. Due to the volume of questions that were sent in, we have sorted them into five posts related to the following categories: general business, technology, BPLP operations, growth and human resources.
Will we roll out the E1 upgrade this year?
Robert Condron, chief financial officer: We have hired a consulting firm, Corning Data, to help us evaluate the time, cost and effort to upgrade to the latest version of E1. Corning Data met with personnel from each of our departments that use E1 to get a better understanding of our current status with E1. They are currently putting together a project plan for the upgrade and we should get the results in the next few weeks. Once we get the project proposal from Corning Data, management will review the plan and determine the timing for implementing the E1 upgrade.
When will the more plants get the new Cisco phones?
Robert Condron: Implementing the new phone systems at additional plants will need to be based on business unit need and will need to be budgeted. Since Cisco phone systems use Voice Over Internet, plants will need reliable, high-speed Internet in order to use this technology. Currently, some of our plants do not have internet service capable of supporting them.
Why is it taking so long to implement new projects (CSR workbench, OnBase, eCommerce)?
Larry Ehrman, vice president of logistics: Additional programs tied to E1 are complex and time consuming. Our goal is to make sure that projects are done right and tested fully prior to implementing them. We are moving as rapidly as we can.
Can tablet upgrades be done before winter?
Larry Ehrman: We try to do upgrades during the slower times, but with the number of improvements that we are making to the system, some upgrades in the winter are going to be necessary.
Do CSRs have to worry about losing their jobs due to the new eCommerce website?
Jon Ihler, interim CEO: Absolutely not. The company is developing the e-commerce site to provide our customers with more options in the way they to do business with MFA Oil. Online ordering is becoming more common in the propane and lubricant sector, and we’re finding more and more farm supply companies going online as well. As broadband technology increases throughout the rural areas we serve, our customers will expect us to offer these types of services.
My customers want to know if tank monitors and the e-commerce website are part of an effort to get rid of CSRs and managers and close more offices. Is this what is happening?
Jon Ihler: No. Tank monitors and the coming e-commerce website are simply part of our effort to keep pace with technology. Tank monitors give us an informed view of our customers’ fuel needs, allow us to better manage our day-to-day responsibilities and should make things easier on our staff. Most bulk delivery companies are using this technology. These tools will help us, but the human element in our business is and will remain our most important asset.
Can we get a program to make and print propane pre-buy contracts from the computer?
James Greer, vice president of supply and government affairs: We are already working on adding this functionality. We plan to allow the employee who fills out the contract the option to print it once the completed agreement has been entered in E1. Another part of this project is looking at a process to renew a propane agreement from the data in E1 and printing it. The mass printing of propane contract agreements is the last part of this project and we are working to address this issue prior to next spring.