Upgrades in Dynamic Markets: Solutions for Liquids Trading
Explore the benefits of upgrading to the latest version of RightAngle with our in-depth analysis of new features, improvements, and bug fixes. This blog highlights major enhancements, evaluates their functional and technical impacts, and showcases how our expertise can guide you through the decision-making process.
Discover how our innovative solutions can help you achieve your goals. Explore our solution page now to learn more about what we offer.
Why Choose Value Creed for Your Upgrade?
Value Creed’s commitment to excellence and client satisfaction, coupled with our extensive expertise and track record, make us the ideal partner for ensuring a successful transition. Our key differentiators include:
Tools like Testing Automation & FinOps enable a quicker, error-free upgrade with minimal disruption.
A structured roadmap for upgrade assessment ensures smooth transition and effective resource utilization.
Experienced with diverse upgrades, we ensure a successful upgrade tailored to your needs.
With fixed-price models and a commitment to delivering value, we provide transparency throughout the engagement.
By minimizing business involvement, we ensure a seamless upgrade process, continuity, and reduced downtime for your operations.
We identify cutting-edge platforms for enhanced performance, providing comprehensive support from strategy to implementation.
SUCCESS STORIES WITH VALUE CREED’S UPGRADE SERVICES
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This case study highlights how an energy company achieved a Swift upgrade in three months with Value Creed’s upgrade services:
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Key Enhancements: Impact and Insights
The streamlined movement and scheduling tools enhance scheduling efficiency by simplifying data staging and importing, reducing manual effort, and minimizing errors. The enhanced precision in the Inventory Workbench with real numbers improves accuracy in inventory tracking and management, facilitating better decision-making. The new Projected Inventory Reports offer valuable insights for long-term planning, enabling more informed inventory management strategies.
These enhancements require updates to data import tools to support streamlined movement processes and improved precision in inventory tracking. Additionally, enhancements are needed in inventory reporting systems to accommodate the new Projected Inventory Reports, ensuring accurate and efficient projection functionalities.
Precision of financial operations by providing more detailed payment terms, streamlining cash management through the treatment of negative value invoices, and ensuring compliance with tax regulations via enhanced tracking and reporting capabilities. Additionally, they improve the visibility and management of receivables and tax compliance measures.
Implementation necessitates updates to accounting modules to seamlessly integrate event-based payment terms, negative value invoice handling, and tax license tracking functionalities. Adjustments to data structures and reporting systems are required to accommodate these changes effectively, including enhancements to support streamlined cash management processes and improved reporting capabilities.
The new mass features in S23 enhance system precision by capturing data in both volume and mass metrics across inventory, movements, invoices, and risk assessments. This update requires thorough configuration and testing for seamless integration. Custom reports may need adjustments. Some users may need help with using volumetric units, necessitating specific configurations. Value Creed offers expertise to help clients navigate these changes, ensuring smooth transitions and tailored solutions for both mass and volumetric calculations.
S23 upgrades involve significant system modifications, including database schema and API updates for dual quantity handling, improved inventory management, and enhanced risk management reporting. Performance is boosted through optimized data processing and scalability testing. Value Creed ensures precise system configurations and seamless transitions. Our structured methodology, including continuous business engagement and user training, supports efficient operations and maximizes upgrade benefits.
The upgrades result in an improved user interface and integration capabilities, facilitating seamless interaction with custom APIs and third-party systems. Additionally, security management is strengthened, ensuring enhanced protection of sensitive data. Our team analyzes service monitor threads, optimizes licensing costs, and provides the right systems and configurations are chosen for each upgrade.
Significant updates are required across the system architecture to accommodate the upgrades, including codebase adjustments for seamless integration with DevExpress controls and thorough testing for the new API framework. Careful planning is essential to maintain stability while incorporating these new features. Value Creed provides comprehensive support in configuring security settings, optimizing system performance, and ensuring seamless integration of new frameworks.
Increased flexibility in adjusting units of measure for inventory groups, comprehensive support for all valuation methods to enhance inventory reporting, and the ability to reset inventory balances in both volume and mass for precise control. Furthermore, improvements in managing mass units of measure (UOMs) within key processes like the Order Actualization Tool, Quantity Caps, and Over/Under Lifting processes streamline operations.
Minor adjustments are made to further enhance the existing dual quantity handling capabilities introduced in S23. These adjustments involve refining data processing algorithms, optimizing database queries, and fine-tuning system configurations to ensure seamless handling of mass and volume separately downstream. Additionally, improvements are made to API endpoints and data validation routines to accommodate the updated handling requirements.
Improve valuation accuracy and reporting for blended products, enhancing financial precision and compliance. The capability to finalize reconciliation within specified tolerances streamlines inventory management, minimizing manual tasks and ensuring seamless transitions between accounting periods.
Adjustments to WACOG calculation algorithms and reporting systems for blended products. Similarly, reconciliation processes require modification to support finishing within specified tolerances, including updates to tolerance settings and data validation routines. Implementing Automatcher Rule Maintenance necessitates customizing validation options. Integrating Write to Zero functionality entails enhancing data processing and validation mechanisms.
The introduction of the MTI Maintenance report and streamlined user interface on risk reports simplifies MTI entry assignment, enhancing overall operational efficiency. Value Creed’s support ensures clients can fully utilize these enhancements, increasing accuracy in P/L calculations, improving performance measurement, and enhancing strategic decision-making, ensuring a seamless transition to the upgraded system capabilities.
Modifying database schemas, enhancing user interfaces, and integrating backend logic for MTI management. Implementing security measures for data protection and access control ensures seamless integration and efficient operation of the new MTI functionalities across the system. Our team provides comprehensive support, including system configuration, assigning levels of authorizations for making MTI changes, user training, and ongoing maintenance to ensure accurate market price management.
S24’s tax integration ensures compliance, reduces manual tax calculations and enhances audit readiness. Improved payable matching streamlines transaction handling, reduces errors, and eliminates dropdown list redundancies. These features enhance accounting accuracy, efficiency, and overall operational performance.
Implementing tax integration requires API updates, database schema changes, and enhanced reporting. Payable matching improvements involve optimizing algorithms and UI components, eliminating dropdown redundancies. These modifications ensure accurate data import, efficient processing, and enhanced system performance.
The introduction of editable document templates and convenient access to favorite tools enhances flexibility and efficiency in document management. Users benefit from streamlined processes, improved accuracy, and reduced manual effort in customization tasks. Template editing simplifies customization, reducing manual effort.
Implementing these features necessitates adjustments in document management systems to support direct editing of templates, enhancing usability and integration.
Upgrade with Value Creed: Your ETRM Solutions Partner
Experience the difference with Value Creed, your premier partner for ETRM solutions and upgrades. With years of experience and a proven track record in executing seamless transitions, we tailor our approach to your specific needs. Seamlessly upgrade to RightAngle S24 and optimize your energy trading operations by partnering with us. Get in touch today to ensure a smooth and efficient upgrade process.
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A prominent energy midstream company operating in Western Canada, faced the challenge of upgrading their Endur system from an unsupported version v17 to v23, necessitating a thorough assessment to determine the complexity, cost, and feasibility of the upgrade. They needed to categorize the upgrade project into either homogeneous or heterogeneous, assess the total cost of ownership for different Endur versions, review technical aspects such as code, configuration, and dependencies, identify the scope of impact and incongruences between v17 and v23 solutions, and evaluate platform engineering and infrastructure requirements. Additionally, they sought to establish a robust quality assurance framework for testing the upgraded Endur system.
Increase in certainty on scope, cost, schedule, and risks.
Reduced total cost to deliver based on optimization recommendations
Identified risks due to disparities in critical solutions between v17 and v23 Endur
Reduced costs by leveraging shared tenants, cost optimization measures and FinOps practices
Value Creed’s comprehensive Endur Upgrade Advisory program addressed the client’s challenges through a strategic approach, incorporating key insights throughout:
Capability, Process & Implementation Mapping: A thorough assessment of capabilities, processes, and implementation requirements is crucial for effective project planning and decision-making. By developing solution blueprints across business verticals and engaging key stakeholders, Value Creed ensured a thorough understanding of requirements, fostering collaboration and alignment.
Conduct Version Selection Advisory: Careful consideration of Endur version selection based on business needs and risk assessment is paramount for maximizing the value and success of the upgrade. Through meticulous analysis considering risk appetite and solution architecture fitment, Value Creed facilitated strategic Endur version selection, maximizing the value of the upgrade.
Planning of Upgrade Project: Early detection and mitigation of risks are essential for minimizing disruptions and ensuring smooth project execution. Value Creed coordinated with ION, planned capacity, allocated resources, and managed risks, laying a robust foundation for a successful upgrade while ensuring efficient resource utilization.
Organizational Change Management: Identifying key stakeholders and devising effective communication strategies, Value Creed facilitated smooth transition and adoption of the upgraded Endur system, fostering stakeholder engagement and alignment.
Proactive Risk Identification: Early identification of potential pathways and risks was key to minimizing disruptions and ensuring seamless transitions. We identified 16+ risks including API depreciation, custom code conflicts, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Cost Optimization: With our experience in tackling issues and risk patterns in past Endur upgrades, we offered various insights and guidance. This approach not only facilitated optimal resource utilization but also enabled effective budget management, leading to successful project outcomes.
Our Advisory services not only will help you guide your operations but also help you achieve your vision by taking all stakeholders into consideration. Our highly experienced team has combined full lifecycle, functional and technical expertise to deliver frameworks and guidance around building reliable and scalable commodity trading businesses.
Our team is made up of industry-leading CTRM experts who help you model new business requirements to ensure a future-proof setup. We empower you to customize and enhance performance. Our primary focus is to optimize functionality across the board, aligning with market demands through a holistic solution.
Value Creed offers unparalleled expertise in upgrades, providing meticulous planning, substantial cost savings, early risk detection, stakeholder engagement, and cloud cost optimization. With a track record of success, we ensure seamless transitions, aligning Endur versions with business needs and mitigating potential disruptions. Our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction makes us the ideal partner for companies seeking efficient, cost-effective, and reliable upgrade solutions.
Performance Enhancement A leading global trading firm faced a significant challenge integrating trades from diverse external sources into their Endur ETRM system. With multiple ETRMs
Performance Enhancement A leading global trading firm faced significant challenges with their End-of-Day (EOD) processes. The complexities of trading across multiple markets and geographies, coupled
Performance Enhancement A Midstream producer sought to enhance the performance of their Endur ETRM system. Their primary goal was to streamline the Order to Cash
Customize & improve business processes with Value Creed’s Implementation Services
Conventional manual methods and third-party systems might not provide the needed real-time accuracy for inventory costs and valuation. Additionally, calculating costs for individual units of inventory, especially within a range of contracts, can be time-consuming. The introduction of RightAngle’s latest version, S21.1, featuring the Daily WACOG by Contract capability, addresses the need for accurate, real-time inventory valuation.
Unlike traditional methods that struggle to reflect daily commodity price fluctuations, the new feature in the latest version of RightAngle closely aligns inventory valuation with market dynamics, benefiting businesses with high daily sales volumes. Implementing inventory valuation methodology of WACOG in an integrated system like RightAngle streamlines inventory management and enhances risk and accounting practices. We recommend that our clients embrace RightAngle’s WACOG method, as it offers a comprehensive remedy for efficient inventory management. This solution capitalizes on industry-specific attributes, tailoring options, and alignment with regulations, all of which combine to enhance effectiveness, accuracy, financial gains, and competitiveness.
Challenges in managing inventory costs accurately are widespread. Manual methods can lead to inefficiencies, errors, and compliance risks that affect decision-making. The absence of real-time inventory data visibility can hamper competitiveness, and the complexities of calculating costs for liquid products are a recognized concern.
Current complexities involve disjointed systems, manual calculations, lack of integration with workflows, and the inability to capture frequent price fluctuations inherent in liquid commodities, which ultimately leads to inaccurate cost estimates. Additionally, the continuous flow nature of liquid commodities makes precise inventory tracking difficult, as factors like shrinkage, blending, and measurement inaccuracies can lead to discrepancies in quantity and cost assessments. Managing inventory across various storage facilities, determining appropriate pricing points for cost allocation, and adhering to regulatory standards further contribute to the complexity of the process.
Commodity companies will employ specialized ETRM software and other peripheral systems to address some of these challenges however even then other issues like maintaining data integrity, resource-intensive inventory data updates, error-prone reconciliation processes, and the manual marking of transactions are prevalent in accurately tracking inventory costs and value.
Selecting RightAngle for implementing WACOG inventory valuation for liquids commodities offers several advantages over other ETRM solution alternatives. The integration of WACOG modeling into RightAngle is customized to suit the business’s needs, utilizing the platform’s robust reporting capabilities. This encompasses features like contract-based cost tracking, flexible pool-based cost calculations, and daily WACOG reports for precise cost insights.
To maximize the utility of RightAngle’s inventory valuation capabilities, we recommend crafting bespoke reports within the platform that consolidate diverse inventory data points. By doing so, businesses can streamline their inventory management processes effectively. A notable case involves our creation of tailored reports for a client within RightAngle, where we amalgamated data from various sources. For instance, this approach integrated information from multiple reports, yielding insights into tank-level inventory through the Physical Inventory Interface. This encompassed valuable details, including estimates of daily end-of-day inventory. Furthermore, our solution seamlessly incorporates the Terminal Data Staging Interface, which validates terminal data to facilitate reconciliation. Moreover, the Search Terminal Inventory Recon Interface was utilized to meticulously compare terminal net quantity against transaction records, ensuring the continual updating of reconciliation statuses to promote a well-balanced inventory control system.
Additionally, RightAngle solution provides risk assessment via daily WACOG risk mark-to-market reports. Notably, the “Use Zero Values to Market for WACOG” function refines inventory valuation accuracy. Additional advantages include prior period adjustments, efficient accounting, seamless system integration, tailored reporting, and real-time data access for adaptive decision-making. This tailored implementation ensures accurate cost management, risk assessment, and reporting while catering to the client’s distinct operational requirements.
We advise clients to focus on unique business contexts and leverage RightAngle’s specialized capabilities in WACOG by contract, WACOG by pool, and Daily WACOG calculations. This tailored approach, aligned with industry best practices, sets our recommended implementation of RightAngle features apart from other available options and ensures that it precisely meets the client’s current situation and needs.
The utilization of RightAngle for WACOG implementation for an organization brings a multitude of advantages, specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of the liquid energy industry:
WACOG by Contract provides detailed cost insights for better financial control. WACOG by Pool offers market-responsive cost calculations.
RightAngle recalculates daily WACOG, aligning cost structures with market fluctuations. Crucial for industries like retail fuel, ensuring accurate decisions and risk management.
RightAngle's customization aligns tools with business goals, enhancing performance without compromise.
Seamlessly integrating RightAngle optimizes data flow, boosting efficiency across functions.
Leverage specialized WACOG reporting for real-time informed decisions and market competitiveness.
RightAngle tailors to client needs, offering a dedicated team for success. Partner with experts for a comprehensive solution that drives success.
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When migrating from PowerBuilder to the .NET version of Right Angle, there can be several challenges that arise for reports, especially if they involve heavy use of PIVOT, filtering, and data structuring in PowerBuilder, along with landscape/portrait orientations. The challenges primarily stem from the differences in the underlying technologies, programming languages, and reporting frameworks used in PowerBuilder and .NET.
Migrating PowerBuilder reports to the .NET version of Right Angle presents several challenges due to differences in technologies, programming languages, and reporting frameworks. Understanding these challenges is essential to ensure a successful migration process. In the following section, we will explore the key challenges that arise during this migration and how Value Creed, a trusted expert in report migration, can provide expertise and solutions to overcome these challenges.
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To gain insights into the challenges that can arise when migrating from a PowerBuilder version of a report to a .NET version, let’s explore a practical scenario:
One of our clients, who was using RightAngle’s S11 version, relied on a highly customized report created in PowerBuilder. This report held significant importance for their schedulers as it was distributed to them on a daily basis.
Here’s an overview of the customized PowerBuilder report:
The PowerBuilder version of the report was designed with intricate features such as complex pivoting, grouping, and filtering logic. It operated on a dataset that included several query columns. Additionally, the report was formatted in landscape orientation.
The objective was to replicate the same report with its familiar appearance and functionality in the upgraded S21 version. However, when attempting a straightforward migration of the report’s backend logic to .NET, the outcome fell significantly short of the expected outcome.
Value Creed’s proficiency in report migration proves invaluable in this scenario. Our team of RightAngle SMEs took charge of customizing the .NET version of the RightAngle report using the report designer tool. With their expertise, they made extensive modifications, leveraging various features including computed query columns, external query columns, dynamic queries, and the available UI tools.
The end result was a meticulously crafted report that closely resembled the original one from S11.
Migrating PowerBuilder reports to the .NET version of Right Angle poses several challenges due to differences in technologies, languages, and reporting frameworks. Value Creed’s expertise in report migration is invaluable in overcoming these challenges. Through extensive modifications and leveraging the capabilities of the .NET reporting framework, our team of RightAngle SMEs successfully customized the .NET version of the report for our clients.
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When embarking on an upgrade, it is crucial for clients to dedicate an upfront focus to their business prerequisites and how these align with their overarching vision for operational longevity. Rather than treating the upgrade as a purely technical necessity, businesses should view it as an opportune moment to reevaluate their overall objectives, strategies, and aspirations.
During a recent upgrade, a prominent midstream services provider company endeavored to migrate and disseminate reports to end users in the familiar format as before. However, our team of RightAngle experts were able to recognize that given the architecture redesign of S21, the reports would not generate in the exact format and cause significant disruptions to daily operations.
Despite time constraints surrounding the S21 migration, Value Creed adeptly undertook the project, not only addressing the immediate requirement but also ensuring a seamless migration of these critical reports. This endeavor safeguarded the planned S21 transition and precisely catered to the client’s needs.
Successful migration of the Mark-To-Market (MTM) report
Implementation of a versatile and customizable reporting system
Smooth and uninterrupted transition to S21
Collaborating with the client to conduct an in-depth evaluation of their business prerequisites in conjunction with their envisioned future state helped elevate the upgrade from a mere technical chore to a strategic initiative. This empowered the client to adapt, innovate, and thrive in a dynamic business landscape.
Before delving into the developmental, testing, and deployment phases of the migrated reports, our team took comprehensive measures to align on the requisites. Despite working within a tight timeframe, we ensured a thorough comprehension of project specifications prior to advancing to the subsequent stages.
Our Advisory services will not only help you guide your operations but also help you achieve your vision by taking all stakeholders into consideration. With our services, you can confidently evaluate your decisions before implementing any technical changes, unlocking multiple benefits from our comprehensive solutions.
Our team is made up of industry-leading CTRM experts who help you model new business requirements to ensure a future-proof setup. Our commitment to CTRM technology is reflected in our upgrade services, which empower you to customize and enhance performance. Our primary focus is to optimize functionality across the board, aligning with market demands through a holistic solution.
Our advisory approach entailed an exhaustive evaluation of the business’s reporting strategy, capabilities, and needs, resulting in the identification of new imperatives. Following the design of a comprehensive roadmap, we evaluated the advantages of report migration. Through successful enhancements of the critical “Mark to Market” (MTM) report within the stipulated time frame, we were able to drive increased user adoption with increased usability ensuring a seamless transition to S21.
Contact us today to learn more about our upgrade and advisory solutions.
Performance Challenge A well-known chain of gasoline service stations located across the Southern United States wanted to change CTRM platforms to address new business demands
After a diversified energy company based in New York encountered multiple barriers and challenges in upgrading its CTRM system, it turned to Value Creed for
How Value Creed’s Seamless CTRM Upgrade Powered a Global Energy Company’s Growth Goals CTRM Productivity Gains Enable Trading Productivity Boost When a major natural gas production
Customize & improve business processes with Value Creed’s Services
Have you ever had to build customizations around deferred invoicing, complex risk calculations, or pricing provisions?
Due to the complex nature of the ETRM industry; Risk, Accounting, and Cash Applications rely heavily upon 3rd party tools for functions such as robust inventory valuations, WACOG calculations, and taxing functionalities. The unavailability of these tools in the older RightAngle versions encourages businesses to strongly consider an upgrade to the latest version.
Additionally from an IT standpoint, PowerBuilder or a hybrid system results in Increased Server Load and hampers stability making custom code deployment troublesome. Along with standards to be followed for SOX Compliance, the previous security manager doesn’t allow for individual task/ BA security thus increasing risk significantly.
There are numerous benefits to upgrading to the latest version, such as the new Search WACOG by Contract Summary/ Detail reports. This new feature helps reduce dependency on external applications, reduces Human Errors, and provides a better understanding of the company’s Risk Position. This will additionally replace reports such as search inventory values and provide a consolidated report with advanced core fields to facilitate advanced risk calculations.
New ways to customize the risk solution, including quantifying the risk level on the portfolio level and modifying the accounting periods on common reports, lead to increased efficiency and productivity. Dependence on 3rd Party Customizations like deferred invoices and unique auto matcher scenarios for business needs can now be handled with core functionality in the latest version.
Inventory Valuation processes have more advanced logic, allowing them to utilize the WACOG calculations set for the particular transaction.
Daily WACOG by Contract is a new inventory valuation method available in S21.1. When accounting for inventory, Daily WACOG considers the fluctuations in commodity prices as new builds enter storage for each business day. The actual cost of inventory recalculates daily, and the cost of product sold out of inventory is priced at the inventory’s weighted average on the day of the draw. This allows Daily WACOG to more accurately reflect the value of sold products each day and benefits the accounting and risk practices (protects risk metrics from distortions due to high market volatility over time) of certain businesses, like retail fuel, which experience high daily sales volumes.
The module integrates with the accounts payable and accounts receivable modules in RightAngle, allowing businesses to manage bank information and view a cash available report that includes information on receivables from invoices. This helps to validate records and prevent the application of more cash than the receivable total amount or balance of cash received. Additionally, the module provides tools for creating write-offs and managing open items effectively.
Some of the key functionalities included in the RightAngle Cash Application & Disbursement module are:
Allows for increased capabilities around managing at the tank level and ensures the Tank Level information in the IWB header section and columns in the grid that contain tank level information or consider heels in their calculation (Pumpable Inventory, Heels/Unavailable, Tank Minimum, Tank Maximum, Projected Available Ending) are accurate when aggregating
Credit/Rebill configuration processes have been automated now for Sales transactions.
System updates to the invoicing processes/Reports to better utilize and track Deferred Invoices in the application.
The transition from PowerBuilder to .NET is tied closely to the increase in performance/stability. It enables a user-friendly interface and more sound core logic. The addition of .NET code allows users for easier customization/code deployments
This feature allows you to grant users specific licenses to unique models (such as credit centers) without giving them the full core license. This not only saves money on the number of core licenses needed but also will help regulate the available data to these users
Each new version of RightAngle that is released brings with it enhancements to core logic, more efficient processes, and improved technology to increase the performance (speed) and stability (uninterrupted sessions) of the application.
This item allows security access for individual Task Scheduler tasks to be given to groups. This way, only specific users can run critical tasks such as snapshots, alleviating a lot of risk of accidental runs by less familiar users.
Individual security settings for all internal business associates, which allows users to be part of singular or multiple groups. This is a critical item for SOX compliance, as well as other regulations on data access.
Transactional data, having so many variables involved, is a large chunk of available database space. Being able to archive this data will increase system performance by not overloading the databases, leading to quicker queries, increased database longevity, etc.
(Integration/performance testing)
Migration of all customizations
end-to-end quality checks, documentation, etc
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