Ravi Kasturi is not your typical service station operator. Since launching his first site in 2020, Ravi has rapidly expanded to a portfolio of nine locations across Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales. With a mix of manned and unmanned service stations, his business model has evolved quickly, driven by a focus on efficiency, hands-on leadership, and smart use of technology. At the core of that evolution has been Beacon POS, which Ravi has relied on since day one.
Starting from the Ground Up
Ravi’s journey into fuel retailing began humbly. “In the first year, I was doing everything myself,” he says. “Behind the counter, managing stock, cleaning, it was all me.” That hands-on start gave him a deep understanding of the business, but as he added more sites, Ravi had to find ways to scale without losing visibility or control.
“The turning point was realising I needed reliable systems. That’s why I stuck with Beacon. It gave me the confidence to expand and still know exactly what’s happening across all sites.”
Tackling the Challenges of Growth
As Ravi acquired more locations, including unmanned sites like his latest in Devonport, managing staff became a significant challenge.
“I used to get messages at 1 am from employees saying they couldn’t make a 6 am shift,” he recalls. “I had to jump on a 3 am flight from Melbourne just to open a store. That happened more than once. It’s why I’ve leaned into the unmanned model. It’s hard to find people you can rely on.”
Despite these hurdles, Ravi’s business has thrived. Much of that success, he says, comes down to visibility and control, and Beacon has played a critical role in both.
Beacon from Day One
Ravi was first introduced to Beacon when working at BP Little River. “Even back then, I noticed the interface was more user-friendly than other systems. And it had fewer glitches compared to systems I’d used.”
When he launched his own operation in 2020, he chose Beacon as his point-of-sale system, and hasn’t looked back. “Almost all my sites use Beacon. I’ve stuck with it because it just works, and the support is great.”
Managing a Business Remotely
With sites spread across three states, remote access was a game-changer.
“I used to have back-office systems on-site, but once I hit five locations, I moved everything to the cloud. Now I can manage pricing, monitor sales, and review reports from anywhere, including my home in Melbourne.”
Beacon enables Ravi to adjust pricing across multiple sites, reconcile transactions, and generate key reports, all from a single, central dashboard. “That visibility helps me make data-driven decisions instead of going off gut feeling. It’s a massive advantage.”
Tools That Save Time
As the business grew, Ravi leaned on Beacon’s tools to reduce time spent on admin and training.
“The YouTube training videos are great. When I hire a new manager, they can watch the basics and be up and running quickly. I don’t have to train people over and over.”
Beacon’s Instant Invoice feature has also caught his attention. “I used to be terrible at inventory management, but with Instant Invoice, it’s easier to stay on top of stock. I just need to put the right systems in place to make it work.”
Support That Makes a Difference
When it comes to system reliability and support, Ravi is clear: “Beacon support is very solid. They don’t just log tickets; they get things sorted quickly. Whether it’s the customer support team or leadership team, I know I can get help when I need it.”
The support has made a big difference, especially when handling issues remotely. “Even small things like a receipt printer not working after hours, Beacon’s team has helped me solve it straight away.”
Financial Oversight and Reporting
One of Ravi’s strengths is staying on top of the numbers. “I do all the reconciliations myself. I compare fuel cards, sales, and refunds to ensure everything is accurate. Beacon makes it easy to pull reports and spot anomalies.”
He also monitors pricing variations across states and utilises Beacon’s customisable reporting features to track site performance. “If something’s off, I can see it quickly and act. It’s not just a point-of-sale system, it’s a decision-making tool.”
Looking to the Future
With nine sites and counting, Ravi isn’t slowing down. He’s exploring options in fuel distribution and ways to cut costs across electricity, merchant fees, and insurance through his ServoPro membership.
Final Thoughts
For Ravi, Beacon isn’t just a system; it’s a strategic partner in growth.
“It’s easy to use, the support is outstanding, and I can run everything from one place. When you’re managing sites across three states, that kind of system is not optional, it’s essential.”
Ravi’s story shows what’s possible when the right tools meet the right mindset. From one site in 2020 to a thriving multi-site network in 2025, he’s built a business on visibility, control, and trust.
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