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1. Overview
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1. 1. Scope of this User
Guide
This User Guide
introduces Version 1.4 of the 'SKOLMS' database
system. It describes the appearance and specific
uses of this software as well as giving the user
a brief idea of the aims and concepts behind
this system. A description of the operation of
Microsoft Windows is not given here. Nether is
the operation or maintenance of PC Hardware.
These are both beyond the scope of this User
Guide. |
1.
2. The ‘SKOLMS 1.4’ System ( Simple Key for Oil
Logistics Management System )
The Database System,
'SKOLMS 1.4', has been designed by 'Imed Dhouib'
after a long experience in the oil industry
with exploration projects. Development of the
software started in 1995 to fit ARCO
subsidiaries needs in North Africa on stock
control side. The softare was called 'Materials'
@ the time and has improved through the time and
until the version 6.5 on 2001. A decision have
been made @ this stage to change the name as
'SKOLMS' so it can reflect the new purpose of
the software who handles now procurement,
logistics operations and daily cost.
The
number of softwares in the oil industry is
without any doubt huge, but not much of them
have really taken into consideration the the
following factors :
1) The speed for running
an Exploration project is very different than
any other operation.
2) The Supervisors or
managers do not spend 100% of their time in
front of a computer.
3) The local hands hired
for the operation do not usually have a big
knowledge of computing.
4) People change
often during the operation and new coming hands
must learn the system in a record time while the
operation is running. The misunderstanding of
these factors and some others by most of the
systems has driven many exploration companies to
opt for Excel and give up all interrest in a
database system.
As an operations hand, I
certainly agree that if we talk about one well
every now and then, and for a small company with
not much paperwork requirements, Excel could be
enough to please everybody, but when we talk
about a big project with many wells running in
the same time or a back to back wells, the
Supervisors tasks could become very painful, and
when it comes to work on reconciliation, the
work turns to the nightmare. 'SKOLMS 1.4' has
been designed by someone who worked in the field
and dealt with all those problems and the
decision to create this system were initially to
solve his problems before being to solve yours.
The 'SKOLMS 1.4' system is a database holding
all of the information relating to a well or
group of wells. Reports may be generated @ any
point and in a number of different formats. This
data can be transmitted @ will to a head office,
or data centre, using any Data Transmission
System. At the head office, a compatible system
could be installed where data from several wells
can be collected and checked. This system is
easy to handle, effective and with a great
performance on generating logs exportable as
Excel spread sheets.
'SKOLMS 1.4' operates
under "Windows 95/98/NT/Me/2000/XP" Graphical
Interface on commonly available and cost
effective hardware. It may be run on any PC
available @ either the head office or remote
location. This enables 'SKOLMS 1.4' to provide
both powerful and integrated features within a
simple user interface. The possibility of
Exporting Reports from a licence to another or
exporting logs ( Rental, consignment, Actions,
Events, etc... ) as excel spread sheets make the
database processing and handling a lot easier.
Documents and Attachments are innovations from
version 6.0 to reach the 'Zero Paper' Stage,
they allows users to attach any windows files (
Documents, spread sheets, pictures, etc. ) to
the database reports ( Purchase orders,
requisitions, receiving reports, shipping
reports, etc. ).
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Overview