Why Upgrading to TMS7 Is a Smart Strategic Decision for Terminal Owners

Fueling terminal operations face mounting pressure to balance security, efficiency, and scalability.

With cyber threats on the rise and operational demands growing more complex, using an outdated TAS can expose fueling terminals to unnecessary risks and inefficiencies that can create more work and more risk. That’s why upgrading to TMS7, Toptech Systems’ latest terminal management platform, is not just another technical upgrade—it’s a strategic investment into more efficient terminal operations.

The energy sector was the fourth most targeted industry for cyberattacks in 2023. It’s not surprising, since the legacy technology running many terminals can be exploited by bad actors. For example, many legacy TAS systems, especially those built on Windows, require client-side installations. Keeping these client-side applications updated relies on the end-user initiating the update, which many users may not do. As a result, IT may be updating the server files, but operators may NOT be keeping their installed software updated. This can create vulnerabilities when security patches and system updates are not kept up to date. These vulnerabilities can lead to downtime, costly IT support, and exposure to threats.

TMS7 addresses these concerns with a web-based, Linux-powered architecture that separates the operating system from the application. This design allows for seamless security patching without disrupting operations. Additional security features include:

Security is essential, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of productivity. TMS7 is designed to streamline operations, reducing manual tasks to improve data visibility and efficiencies—resulting in up to 20% faster processing times. These efficiencies can give you a solid return-on-investment (ROI), right away.

Key productivity-enhancing features include:​

These tools not only improve operational efficiency but also reduce training time for new users, making TMS7 a user-friendly hub for terminal management.

Another strategic benefit of upgrading to TMS7 is related to upgrade planning. Rather than managing individual desktops and users, TMS7 offers scalable security groups and an architecture that fits into your environment.​

The TMS7 architecture separates the application layer from the Linux-based OS, which gives terminal owners more flexibility over their choice of hardware. Customers can manage their own servers or have Toptech manage their hardware, by subscribing to the Cybersecurity Compliance service. This service evaluates every Linux update, only installing those that are essential to the customer’s environment.

As mentioned previously, TMS7 also offers high availability via hypervisor level mirroring for a fully redundant environment. Plus, users can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with using a solution that has a proven track record with near-zero software downtime.

If you acquire a terminal in a remote location, you may not have personnel onsite to manage that site. That's why it’s strategically important that your TAS software offers the flexibility to manage your terminals remotely. TMS7 supports secure mobile web access, allowing operators to manage stock accounting, allocations, and even control entry gates, load racks, and BOL printers from anywhere. This remote functionality is especially valuable for multi-terminal operations and emergency response scenarios.

If there’s an emergency, wouldn’t you want your terminals accessible by your staff, wherever they are?