PSO, being an organisation committed to providing value-added services to its customers, has a host of facilities at its stations. PSO offers customers convenience with a quality offer that spans Convenience Stores, Business Centers, internet facilities, auto carwashes, ATM machines, self-service banking centers and specialised food chains at retail outlets.
The aim is to change the way people think of the forecourt by extending the offerings far beyond the provision of fuel only.
PSO, currently, has a network of about 200 Shop Stops all over Pakistan. The company stores offer wide range of products, stocking from food items to basic general merchandise. A number of promotions, in collaboration with reputable consumer goods companies, are also run to facilitate consumers.
Business Centers have been set up at 33 different outlets across the country to provide round-the-clock electronic services such as Fax, Photocopy, E-mail and pay phone services. PSO has also set up more than 1,150 Internet Kiosks across the country, some of which will be converted into Telecenters for offering services such as E-learning, telemedicine, tele guide on agriculture and many more services to our rural population.
As a part of value-addition activities, automatic car wash services were introduced at outlets in three major cities - Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad - facilitating people to have a quick, hassle-free car wash.
The concept of Quick Service Restaurants is also being soon introduced at PSO retail outlets whereby a customer will not only be able to buy fast food on highways and convenient locations but will also be able to enjoy choices from sandwiches, burgers to coffees and drinks.
PSO, in collaboration with Saudi Pak Bank, has set up ATMs and self- service banking centers at several locations to facilitate both MNet and 1 Link customers of ATM. Similarly, Self Service Banking Centers are also being established to cater primarily to strong residential and commercial trade areas.
The company set a new benchmark in South Asia with the automation of almost its entire New Vision Retail outlets. It is now shifting into higher gear with its initiative to centralise information at the newly-developed data visualisation center. The center serves as a hub for various data gathered from all around the country. Now, with the latest technology being used, one can tell exactly how much sale is being made at how many locations and exactly where the tank lorries are located.
The purpose behind this heavy investment is to be able to gather all this data so that real-time information can be gathered to make real-time competitive decisions. Field automation system was introduced to monitor the performance and function activities at the retail outlets. Field officers now use hand-held personal digital assistants (PDAs) enabling them to capture all required data from the retail outlet and transmit this data through connectivity with the data visualisation center, enabling the field staff to remain in constant touch with the head office.
The system also strengthens the emergency response mechanism or complaint resolution activity. This pilot project at Karachi has proven successful and would now be expanded to other regions and divisions.
The company also launched a web-based online ordering management system in major cities exclusively for PSO dealers to place orders for fuel and make real-time payments for their product requirements. This solution is the first of its kind in Pakistan and is designed to communicate in real-time with both PSO`s database and Citibank's financial transaction settlement system to provide complete order management and financial information. The system enables the dealers to place orders from anywhere for product replenishment at their retail outlet.
Complementing the plastic cards initiative (Loyalty, Corporate, Fleet and Prepaid), the company, as part of its retail automation program, has installed pump controllers at its New Vision retail outlets to automate the flow of transaction data from the fuel-dispensing unit to the point of sale (POS) terminal. From the time of fuelling to making payment against PSO Cards, the entire operation is automatic and without any intervention from the pump attendant, thus, ensuring security, reliability, accuracy and convenience for the customer.
The pump controller maintains a complete history of all the fuelling transactions made from the dispensing unit. So, if a customer wishes to check the amount or the volume dispensed in his vehicle after he/she has driven off, the information can be made available at just the touch of a button.
Fuel Management Solution (FMS) is a revolutionary, value-added service that integrates state-of-the-art technology with total customer convenience and allows PSO Fleet Card holders and fleet managers to control and monitor fuel consumption and efficiency of their vehicles by keeping track of odometer readings at the time of fuelling. FMS allows easy tracking of vehicle efficiency, no paperwork, no calculations, accurate usage of information and no administration cost. Customers can even employ technologically-advanced and convenient modes of accessing their FMS information via PSO`s website, SMS, E-mail or regular billing statement.