Originally producing the Customer Reporting System (CRS) for previous DBNGP owner Epic Energy, Sydac upgraded the software to produce pypITâ„¢ for DBP.
Through the DBNGP’s current asset manager, WestNet Energy – a division of Alinta Asset Management – DBP preformed a global search for technology to replace the CRS, which in its existing form did not fully meet the needs of the DBNGP business.
This search saw DBP decide a major upgrade to CRS was the best commercial option. Subsequently Sydac produced pypIT, adding enhanced transmissions billing, PDF invoice functionality and improved security features.
A spokesperson from DBP said “The pypIT software is a significant development in DBP’s business-to-business communications with its customers. The upgraded system allows invoices with full supporting documentation to be provided to customers quickly and efficiently.
“The Invoice Approval function requires that all invoices are reviewed before being issued, providing a greater level of assurance about their accuracy, particularly for non-standard services, to both the business and its customers.”?
The software integrates with existing systems such as SCADA and SAP and manages the end-to-end business needs of gas transmission, including shipper nominations, scheduling and apportionment, invoicing and reporting. It also automates the traditional manual methods of performing these functions, which are prone to errors and are highly reliant on the skills and process knowledge of individuals. It therefore provides the standardisation and auditing ability that is lacking in manual entry systems.
“The new functionality allows customers to view their invoices online as the invoice accumulates during the month,”? said a WestNet spokesperson, adding that supporting data and all calculations can be exported as a CSV file for shippers to use as required.
Sydac said that due to an ageing workforce and skills shortages, systems such as pypIT are becoming increasingly important to minimise business continuity risks, now and in the future.
The software is used on many of Australia’s major pipelines to minimise risks and provide accurate accountability and reporting. It is used by companies such as WestNet, SEAGas, Epic Energy and is being customised for Alinta. The software is currently being developed for use on the Eastern Gas Pipeline and Queensland Gas Pipeline.
Sydac is an Australian engineering company established in 1988 that has been providing Information Technology solutions to the oil and gas sector for over ten years.