Vopak rolls out Report Management worldwide

"Safety is the number-one priority of Vopak," says Dave Mercer. Vopak opted for Quality Online as the leading system for worldwide harmonisation of its safety policy. To do this Vopak uses Quality Online's Java Application Server, Document Management and Report Management. The entire system is implemented centrally in Rotterdam on a single Windows 2000 server. All 74 terminals now have access to this server and the Quality Online applications via a corporate intranet connection.

Prior to the introduction Vopak already used the Report Management application from Quality Online, which is based on Lotus Notes. Over time there arose a lack of synchronisation between the various implementations in the Netherlands, Belgium, The United Kingdom, Switzerland, the United States and the Middle East. New developments in Corporate Governance also required better controls. Vopak also wanted to introduce a variety of improvements and phase out Lotus Notes applications. So in 2005 Vopak opted for one new worldwide implementation of Quality Online's new Software Suite based on Java technology.

Since then the new system has been introduced in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia.   

Vopak opted for a low-key roll-out of the system at minimum cost. So no ‘flying squads' flying across the globe, but one worldwide project manager arranging the knowledge transfer to local managers. These managers could set up the system regionally and train end-users. Vopak is extremely satisfied with the implementation which, according to Dave Mercer, had "remarkably few bugs and problems" and a "good level of user acceptance", with a related "low level of request changes".

Once the implementation has been completed Vopak will set up an internal user group, and the risk matrix, which is part of the system, will be expanded. This system, in which all divisions are participating, forms the basis for the reporting system which Vopak uses worldwide for improving performance in terms of safety and performance reporting. 

* Quality Online markets this module under the name Incident Online