Fuel Dispensing Systems and Other Innovations Are Changing the Very Basic Purpose of Gas Stations
In the early years, the existence of gas stations was attributed to its function, which is, dispensing fuel to the vehicles. But now, the face of Gas Stations has changed immensely. They have bow become a retail – marketing sales tool. Supermarkets, couponing, scanning, video displays and eating joints have now become a common function of every gas station that you will visit. From strictly functional they have evolved to be multipurpose.
Fuel Dispensers
Advanced Fuel Dispensing Systems are now in place. These dispensers display functions like bar coding, interactive videos screen, scanner, customer identification Keypad and Magnetic card terminal. With Magnetic card terminal installed on the dispenser, the staffs no longer have to keep credit/debit card machines with them. Through Interactive video screen, the customers can entertain themselves while waiting for the fuel to get pumped in their vehicles. Customer Identification Keypad enables a customer to check his transactions. Each customer is given a unique identification number.
The pumps also have a DEF Dispensing system. Diesel Exhaust Fluid is added to the diesel exhaust to convert smog providing nitrogen oxide into harmless nitrogen and water vapour.
Gas stations do not depend only on Gasoline sales for their revenue. Well, they have now come up with supermarkets, coffee houses, and kid-play area to increase their revenue. Gas stations also lower the gasoline price in order to attract customers. With more customers coming, their retail business would also go up.
Latest technology
A new innovation has come up whereby customers at the petrol pumps can pay with their fingertips. The reason for this innovation is a known fact that the customers using cards do not like to wait to make their payment. They want a quicker and a more secure way. The latest innovation enables the customer to scan his fingerprint at a kiosk inside the store and link his payment information at the store or online.
Another innovation is that of a robotic gas station where the whole process of dispensing fuel into the vehicle is done by a robot. The customer enters the amount of gas needed on a keypad and with the help of a transmitter on the dash board of the car; the robotic pump can read the car’s make and model. A robotic arm then finds the gas tank and opens it with suction. Then the robot inserts a nozzle through a flap in the tank cap and dispenses fuel.
Now you don’t have to line up your car and wait for your turn to get fuel. You can park your car anywhere inside the station and wait for the pump to come to your car.
Gas stations show a clear picture of today’s world. With innovations like advanced Fuel Dispensing system, Robotic gas station and a total change in the surroundings of petrol pump has increased the efficiency and business of the gas stations. Their revenue has increased manifold. The gas stations now serve a number of purposes apart from dispensing fuel.
