Pesapal has launched a new Forecourt Management Solution (FMS), the first solution developed specifically for Africa that delivers integrated payments alongside monitoring and data tools.
The new FMS, which is already operational in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, drives the automation of fuel and retail management processes and it also seamlessly connects distribution points and digital payments backed up with tools to reduce costs and pilfering, while improving the customer experience.
Pesapal Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Agosta Liko noted that independent petrol station operators and large forecourt networks are changing up their business models with convenience services, new fuels and battery charging.
“This makes it a more exciting, complex and risky game to be in. We are helping them automate and digitize so they can focus on growing their businesses,” he added.
Liko stated that with FMS, petrol station owners can remotely monitor and control LPG and fuel dispensers and that the solution automates how these talk to tank gauges, price displays and payment systems which, as usual with Pesapal, integrate mobile money, cards and online payments.
“We have spent months working with petrol station owners across East Africa and we have consistently heard about a lack of affordable monitoring and data tools for our unique environment. Many owners want to transform their forecourt into a multi-use hub, but they are flying blind at the moment,” said Liko.
The CEO mentioned that Pesapal provides a back-end reporting tool and allows station owners to link Point of Sale (POS) and other technology platforms to forecourt operations with additional functions including centralized price changes, RFID-based attendant tagging, automatic indenting of products and posting of outlet data to head office systems.
Liko disclosed that Pesapal is a Technical Associate of the International Forecourt Standards Forum (IFSF) adding that the community is focused on technology standards to benefit automotive fuel and energy retailers and also champion the interoperability of forecourt and convenience devices and services.
He reiterated that IFSF membership paves the way for Pesapal to partner with African forecourt operators to drive further automation and meet changing global standards.
“While the world is looking to decarbonize, our cities and communities are getting more mobile. We are using different types of transport, changing fuels, and new finance and subscription products. Forecourts are the frontline of this transformation. They will have many more moving parts, and different retail, energy and fuel suppliers,” Liko maintained.
Pesapal has over a decade of experience empowering African businesses with easily understood information on customers, payments, sales, and inventory.
By Michael Omondi
