Fuel Marketers Get More Time to Transition to EMV Compatible Dispensers

Time is now on the side of fuel marketers who have been trying to figure out the economics of a big change on their fuel islands. The deadline for having chip-readers installed at U.S. retail fuel outlets has been extended by three years. Instead of October 2017 fuel marketers now have until October 2020 to make sure their pumps can handle EMV technology. The acronym that stands for Europay, MasterCard and Visa, the three global payment giants that developed technology designed to reduce fraud from credit and debit card transactions.

The decision recognizes reality; that changing credit and debit card systems is a whole lot different at a fuel pump than at a supermarket checkout counter. Bloomberg reported that Visa and MasterCard listened to complaints that owners would not have enough time to complete the ‘multibillion-dollar upgrades’.

“In some cases, older pumps may need to be replaced before adding chip readers, requiring specialized vendors and breaking into concrete,” San Francisco-based Visa said in a statement on its website as reported by Bloomberg. Sufficient supplies of compliant hardware and software to enable upgrades by 2017 remain an issue, the company said.

Make Dispenser Change-Outs as Simple as Possible

It’s expensive to make the change, with the National Association of Convenience Stores estimating the cost at around $30,000 per store – about $4 Billion across the industry. Many outlets are opting to change the entire dispensers rather than retro-fit existing ones to handle the EMV technology. Companies making that decision are looking for ways to minimize cost and disruption to operations.

In some cases, they have found a solution in Husky Corporation’s EZ-Connect, the only certified, pre-assembled, pressure and continuity tested hanging hardware assembly. It takes care of all the components from the dispenser through the nozzle.

“The EZ-Connects are going on new dispensers. The pre-assembled unit is really attractive to even the smallest operators,” said one Husky Corporation manufacturer’s representative. “They see where that saves a lot of labor time and money when they do a change-out or a new location. It saves them lots of bucks.”

This video shows more about what goes into the EZ-Connect system.

Now that the planning horizon is a bit longer, fuel marketers will be able to make a phased-change to the EMV technology. Take advantage of that time to make the transition as smooth and cost-effective as possible. Contact Husky Corporation to learn about how reducing that impact even more with EZ-Connect hanging hardware.

Enevo: Easy Installation and Set-up

It has never been easier or more cost-effective to manage liquids stored in tanks scattered in a variety of locations. Enevo uses ultrasonic technology to measure tank fill levels, then sends the data over cellular networks for analysis and action by any web-browser enabled device. This is up-to-the-minute information that instantly allows dispatchers to make informed decisions about their inventory; a far-cry from inefficient route-based scheduling that costs time and money. This short video provides a nice overview of the system.

Simple Installation

In the field, the Enevo system’s state-of-the-art hardware is simple to install. An Enevo WEL-008L sensor contains all the wireless level-collection technology needed for a single tank up to 16 feet deep. The WEL-008L sensor is made of extremely durable fiber-reinforced polypropylene and proprietary polyurethane. The sensor weighs just over a pound, yet will operate in the most extreme temperatures and in all weather conditions. Installation requires only a magnet to activate the sensor followed by physically screwing the unit into an appropriate 1.5 inch or two-inch opening on the tank. No special tools are required.

The ultrasonic sensors need an unobstructed column of air for precise level measurement from any type of tank. The illustration below shows some example configurations. The robust ultrasonic sonar technology combines with motion sensors and smart software to measure fill-levels, detect when the tank has been filled or sense when it is empty. Measurements are taken at regular interval and automatically communicated over 2G/3G cellular networks.

The software to monitor activity reported by the individual sensors can be set up by customers using any browser-enabled device through the Enevo web interface. The capability includes a comprehensive back office toolset for dispatchers and managers for configuring sites and schedules, managing fleets, assigning routes, monitoring status and operations in real-time, and viewing reports and statistics.

The Enevo system requires minimal training and yields immediate benefit. It is a powerful tool that allows dispatchers to plan optimal service routes. The Enevo system also provides notifications and alerts for additional peace of mind. Customers will be happy and the competition will be left in the dust.