The development of the business world, especially in the petroleum sector today and in the future, requires the ability to consider all possibilities before making decisions and taking action. Instinctive considerations or simple qualitative estimates can basically only be justified for simple decisions. Decisions that involve significant risks certainly need to be supported by careful calculations so that the risk of loss can be avoided. Therefore, in every decision-making process, it is not enough to rely solely on the results of qualitative analysis; quantitative analysis is also necessary so that the decisions made will produce the expected results.
In managing a distribution system, customer satisfaction is very important. To provide customer satisfaction, companies must optimally provide product information services, transaction services, delivery services, etc. In order to increase customer satisfaction through improved service quality, the product distribution process must be managed and planned as well as possible.
Product distribution management and planning involves demand and distribution resources. Demand must be met as effectively and efficiently as possible by distribution resources. Distribution resources include human resources (HR) and transport fleets. Good management and planning of HR and transport fleets will improve the performance of the product distribution process, which will ultimately increase customer satisfaction.
The Transportation Method in Operations Research is one of the quantitative methods that can be used to analyze the cost of fuel distribution in order to obtain effective and efficient results. In addition, this analysis will also provide the appropriate fuel distribution pattern.
In designing a fuel transportation model, the basic starting point must be a mindset of minimizing the total transportation costs incurred in distributing fuel to customers (economic of supply) while still adhering to fuel supply security factors (security of supply) and a higher level of service in meeting customer satisfaction (flexibility of supply and customer satisfaction). The expected end result of a selected transportation model is that the process of distributing fuel from the source (installation, transit terminal, and depot) to the destination (inland depot, gas station, etc.) can be carried out effectively with total distribution costs that can be minimized. Thus, the results of this analysis can be used as a basis for determining the form of fuel supply patterns.
As a form of concern for this matter, the Logistics & Supply Chain Center (LOGIC) of the Industrial Engineering Department – Widyatama University, in collaboration with PT Anugerah Cipta Guna, held a training session on “Effective and Efficient Tank Truck Fleet Operating Systems.” The training took place from Tuesday to Thursday, March 20-23, 2007, at the LOGIC Training Room, Widyatama University, Jalan Cikutra 204, Bandung, and was attended by 15 participants from the Lhoksumawe, Lahat, Baturaja, Kertapati, Maos, Raha, Baubau, Kolonodale, and Balongan depots of PT Pertamina. The instructors were Ir. Setijadi, M.T. (Head of Logistics & Supply Chain Center – Widyatama University) and Ir. Yudha Prambudia, M.Sc. (Head of the Industrial System Planning and Optimization Laboratory – Widyatama University).
The objectives of this training included improving participants’ ability to manage distribution systems, using methods and technologies that support strategic and tactical planning to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of product distribution processes. With an integrated computer-based training format, participants were equipped with the ability to use software (fleet systems and management) as a tool for analysis, scenario development, and decision making.
The training program is in line with LOGIC’s mission as an education, research, and training unit in the field of logistics and supply chain excellence by optimizing competent human resources and synergistic cooperation networks. Through this training, participants are expected to be able to implement what they have learned at PT Pertamina. With an optimized fuel distribution system, PT Pertamina will be able to reduce its operational costs. In addition to impacting the company’s profitability, the wider community will also benefit from cheaper fuel prices.
