Should You Digitalise Your Storage Terminal?

Editor Anamika Talwaria looks into the benefits and drawbacks of increased digitalisation for critical infrastructure – and how the tank storage industry can protect itself   Going digital comes with a whole host of benefits. Implementing a digital system that automates loading/unloading can lead to a faster, more efficient and safer process. Digitalising paperwork that has traditionally been carried around on a clipboard and written on in pen can make the task quicker, data more accurate, and more accessible. Plus, digitising systems can mean that colleagues from all over the world could analyse potential issues – without needing to be on site. And of course, all these efficiencies can save the company money. But the tank storage industry has been a slow adopter of digital technologies for a variety of reasons. By connecting critical infrastructure to the internet, it could open up companies to cyber attacks that could cost thousands, or millions, in lost service, client disruption, reputational damage, environmental clean-up, just to name a few. Plus, many companies are put off by the initial investment that’s needed to implement a robust IT system that includes...