United Refining Company

Summary:

  • Designed and built a SharePoint Online DMS for the multi-departmental Pipeline Operations team
  • Migrated data from on-premise file server to SharePoint Online
  • Designed and built custom flows with Power Automate
  • Custom training guides, 1-on-1 and group training sessions

The Challenge

  • Hybrid teams relied on local copies, paper copies, and a VPN connection to an on-premise file server to share and collaborate on documents.
  • The team also relied on manual processes for performing and tracking common tasks. As a result, forced to make important decisions based on incomplete or inaccurate data.
  • Field personnel on the pipeline can’t access the server when offline, or from mobile devices
  • File server had a ransomware attack, forcing users to save files on local drives and they had not adopted M365 tools

The Solutions

  • Document Management System built on SharePoint Online
  • Pipeline Center with 7 custom document libraries and security
  • Custom Power Automate flows

Testimonials

  • “I have been using the new system for a month now and I love it! I can always access documents in the field without hauling a filing cabinet in the truck.”
    – Pipeline Engineer
  • “The new SharePoint DMS saves time and increases productivity for a vital sector of the business. ”
    – Pipeline Operations Manager

Project by the numbers

  • 78 miles of pipeline spanning 3 US states and 2 North American countries
  • Multiple 24×7 oil facilities, 1 central refinery, 70,000 barrels of oil per day
  • 30 person Pipeline Operations team
  • 4 sites, 10 pages, 19 Document Libraries, and 4 Azure Security Groups
  • 15,746 Files and 2,410 Folders totaling 100GB of data

Ongoing Benefits

  • Powerful Search
  • Standardized Folder Structure
  • Standard Naming Conventions
  • Secure Internal and External Collaboration
  • Offline and Mobile Access (No VPN!)
  • Auditable System
  • Fully Encrypted Cloud Services

Who Was Helped:

  • VP of Operations
  • Department Managers and Leaders (Compliance, Asset Performance, Real Estate, Finance and Engineering)
  • The URC Pipeline Field Personnel who operate the remote pipeline assets
  • The people who rely on URC to fuel cars, trucks, farm and construction equipment, and to heat their homes and businesses

Systems Integrated:

  • SharePoint Online
  • File Servers
  • Power Automate, Flows, Data List
  • Azure Active Directory – security groups, collaboration settings