Abstract: Currently lacking are effective and accurate tools to help petroleum traders and logistics personnel to make better decisions, collaborate in real-time and negotiate deals in a private and secure environment. The present invention addresses this and other needs in the industry. In particular, the present invention provides automated workflow management for a series of workflow tasks by mapping the workflow tasks to a collaborative workflow process comprising: roles, users, business processes and computer executable activities. A workflow object is received that supplies information used to set particular attributes of the roles, the users, the business activities and the computer executable activities of the collaborative workflow process. Information and data objects are shared electronically among the users performing certain of the roles. At least one of the activities is automatically executed, such that the workflow is automatically managed.

Abstract: Currently lacking are effective and accurate tools to help petroleum traders and logistics personnel to make better decisions, collaborate in real-time and negotiate deals in a private and secure environment. The present invention addresses this and other needs in the industry. In particular, the present invention provides a non-client computer resident method optimizes vessel scheduling by aggregating vessel information. At least some of the vessel information is automatically downloaded from an electronic source. The aggregated vessel information is stored in a vessel information database comprising vessel information database records. Information is obtained about a potential vessel contracting transaction. The vessel information database is searched in a real-time manner to match the potential vessel contracting transaction to at least one of the vessel information database records such that the vessel contracting transaction is optimized.

Abstract: Currently lacking are effective and accurate tools to help petroleum traders and logistics personnel to make better decisions, collaborate in real-time and negotiate deals in a private and secure environment. The present invention addresses this and other needs in the industry.

Abstract: Currently lacking are effective and accurate tools to help petroleum traders and logistics personnel to make better decisions, collaborate in real-time and negotiate deals in a private and secure environment. The present invention addresses this and other needs in the industry.

Abstract: The present invention provides software that includes various computer tools for the different individuals (crude and product traders, planners/analysts, brokers, schedulers, vessel owners/brokers, terminal operators, pipeline operators and cash brokers, etc.) involved in crude oil trading. In the preferred embodiment, the invention system is an on-line, real-time user interactive software system. The invention system includes three pieces of functionality: decision support tools: a broad set of powerful tools for accurate, on-the-fly deal evaluation and decision making including crude oil evaluation, product component blending and trading, arbitrage identification, transportation and vessel selection optimization. collaborative workflow environment: delivered via role-based consoles, this increases staff productivity by capturing the relationships between people, organizations, deal and deadlines to coordinate and synchronize the workflow within and between companies.