Questions to Ask Your Oil and Gas Software Provider
You’ve decided to adopt an oil and gas software solution. Congratulations! Now it is time to choose your partner.
One of the most critical decisions is choosing the right software provider for you. It determines how quickly you can start implementing your system and realizing your business goals.
To help you in the process of making your decision, we’ve compiled a list of questions to ask a company that provides oil and gas software solutions in Canada or USA.
How Long Has the Company Been in Business?
The best oil & gas industry software in the USA should have extensive industry experience. The vendor should be able to provide you references from clients in your industry or at least understand the longevity of your company.
Only a professional can ensure that the solution you’re implementing suits your business requirements and will provide a return on investment.
What Experience Does the Provider Have in the Industry?
The question will help you understand how familiar the vendor’s experts are with the specific challenges and how much knowledge they can bring to support your business.
As with any industry, the oil and gas business is subject to change. Your choice of solution should be able to keep up with these changes. Technological advancements happen every day, so you must find a provider whose system will grow along with your business needs.
How Does Your Software Handle Ownership Leases?
Ownership can be split among multiple companies in the oil and gas industry. Depending on your goals for this part of the business, ensuring that the system offers efficient ways to track these leases is essential.
If you consider buying or selling an interest in a well, you need tracking capabilities that support this process. You should also find out if your system offers the ability to drill and operate wells across multiple ownerships.
What Is Your Implementation Process Like?
Many service providers will ask you to sign a contract before moving ahead with implementing your chosen solution, but you shouldn’t be afraid of asking questions about this process.
Ask your provider to explain their implementation process and determine how long it will take. A good provider should maximize your time by working concurrently with both you and other teams within your company.
Which Data Formats Can I Import Into The System?
Before choosing an oil and gas software solution, ask which data files you can import. It will save you a lot of time later on.
Your provider for oil and gas software solutions in Canada should be able to import all data from multiple sources.
You shouldn’t have to re-enter the same information twice. Your vendor should provide you with a list of files that they can load for you.
How Often Do You Provide Software Updates?
Just as with any industry, the world of oil and gas is changing rapidly. You need an oil and gas software solution that will keep up with this fast pace of change so your business can run smoothly.
Your vendor should show you their update schedule, including how often they release updates and when your company will receive them.
It helps you plan for any changes and ensures that your system is always up-to-date.
Does The Solution Offer Integration with Other Software?
You should also ask about available integrations with other systems or applications, including specific applications within your supply chain management process.
Your oil and gas software solution should integrate with other applications within your business so the transition is easy on your team members, who will need less time learning how to use a new system.
How Does Your Software Handle GIS?
GIS (geographic information systems) helps you track features of the earth, including wells and pipelines.
You should ensure that the system you choose offers advanced GIS capabilities so your company can visualize its assets on a map. It helps prevent costly mistakes and ensures that all employees access up-to-date information about their locations.
You should also check whether or not your software can handle map projections as different projects require different projections.
How Does Your Software Handle Environmental Management?
Oil and gas companies must track their actions to meet environmental regulations.
A sound oil and gas software system should manage critical sources of emissions, including carbon dioxide, methane, sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
Does The System Give Me A Summary of My Business Performance?
You should be able to get daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly reports on practically all types of data in your oil and gas company.
You should receive reports for financial, operations, customer service, and other needs within your business.