ADD Systems’ VP of Office Products Development, Chris Glenn, has watched technology evolve tremendously during his 36 years with the company. Some of the changes Chris has seen include the shift from character-based terminals to the graphical user interface of Windows, and the expansion of the Internet to allow information to be shared to and from anywhere in the world.
In his role at ADD Systems, Chris oversees the development and deployment of back office, delivery, service, and inventory management software products. This includes regular interaction with the ADD User Group (AUG), from which ADD gathers invaluable product development direction, as well as feedback on current software releases.
When asked about his favorite aspect of the job, Chris said he enjoys “creating new components and adding new features to our products that allow our clients to work more efficiently and improve their standing with their customers.”
Trends and Expectations
For propane and fuel oil delivery companies, one of the biggest trends Chris has seen is the adoption of technology that allows businesses to provide real-time information to their customers. An increasing number of companies have adopted technology to provide up-to-the-minute information for customers via self-service web portals, as well as text messages and emails.
On the wholesale side, Chris has seen a significant increase in efficiency. The growth of process automation from price quotes to dispatching, and the electronic retrieval and processing of BOLs, costs and cardlock transactions are just a few of the advancements that have streamlined wholesale processes.
In the future of energy distribution, Chris expects that the implementation of customer self-service tools will become a necessity. Progressive companies have already embraced this type of technology, and Chris believes that, “As more and more consumers begin to expect this from their fuel provider, smart companies will adapt to offer these services, or they risk losing their customers to fuel providers that do.”
Final Thoughts
As today’s customers continue to embrace modern technology, the expectations placed on fuel providers can only increase. Chris and his team are dedicated to ensuring that our clients have all the tools they need to meet, and exceed, those expectations.
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