Tropic Petroleum: How Beacon POS Is Powering Growth and Control for Multi-Site Retailers

For independent service station operators, juggling multiple sites while maintaining control, consistency, and efficiency can feel like an uphill battle. But for Ryan Oliver, IT Manager at Queensland-based Tropic Petroleum, the right technology has made all the difference.

With 19 years under his belt at Tropic Petroleum, Ryan has witnessed major changes in the fuel retail landscape. From outdated systems with little support to modern platforms that offer robust functionality and hands-on assistance, the evolution of POS technology has had a significant impact on how Tropic Petroleum operates.

“We’ve got around a dozen sites now,” Ryan explains. “Back in the day, we were using an outdated POS system, but support started to drop off, and they just weren’t interested in the smaller operators anymore. That’s when we started looking around and landed on Beacon POS.”

Tropic Petroleum made the switch to Beacon POS roughly six or seven years ago and hasn’t looked back. “We went all in,” says Ryan. “We ripped everything out and transitioned all our sites over to Beacon. It was the right call.”

The Importance of Support That Sticks

For Ryan, the value of a POS system isn’t just in its features; it’s in the support that comes with it.

“You can have the best system in the world, but if something goes wrong and there’s no one there to help, you may as well shut the doors,” Ryan says. “That’s why support is half the decision when choosing a POS provider.”

Ryan’s team now handles much of the first-line support internally, thanks to their close partnership with Beacon. “We manage most of the support for our sites, and if anything escalates, we go straight to Beacon. They’re always responsive and willing to work with us to get things sorted.”

That collaborative approach has paid off, not only in day-to-day support but also in system improvements. “We’ve actually been able to request features, like adjustments to the gift card system. And Beacon listens. They take our feedback seriously.”

Scaling Up Without Losing Control

One of the standout benefits for Tropic Petroleum has been Beacon’s ability to handle a multi-site network with ease.

“We manage everything from head office: pricing, reporting, you name it,” Ryan explains. “We push data back into our financial systems and get detailed reports from Beacon. That central control saves us hours and reduces errors.”

This level of oversight is especially critical for an industry with frequent staff turnover. “Training time is down to just a few hours,” Ryan says. “We can get new console operators up and running quickly because the system is so consistent across all sites. The menus behave the same way, the functions are intuitive, and that really helps with onboarding new staff members.”

Real-Time Insights and Smarter Decisions

The Beacon POS system doesn’t just streamline processes; it provides visibility into the business that Ryan and his team rely on.

“We track everything from refunds and drive-offs to suspicious transactions and pricing discrepancies,” Ryan explains. “Even voided or aborted sales raise red flags. Beacon’s reporting lets us stay ahead of anything that doesn’t look right.”

Efficiency Through Automation

From promotions to digital invoicing, Beacon has helped Tropic Petroleum cut down on manual processes and boost efficiency.

“With the Beacon POS system, we can import promotions automatically, and the process is seamless,” Ryan says. “We also import Epay data, and we’re in the final stages of rolling out invoice automation company-wide. It reads the supplier invoices and drops them straight into the system. We just check and approve.”

This automation has freed up time for staff to focus on customers and operations, rather than paperwork.

A Trusted Partner for Growth

After years of working with Beacon, Ryan is more than just a satisfied user; he’s become something of an ambassador. “When people ask what system we use, I don’t hesitate to recommend Beacon. The combination of usability, support, and responsiveness is hard to beat.”

His ongoing collaboration with Beacon’s team, including regular conversations with Megan, underscores the strength of the partnership. “They’re good people, they care about what their customers need and are always looking to improve.”

Looking Ahead

As Tropic Petroleum continues to expand its footprint across Queensland, Ryan is confident that Beacon POS will scale with them.

“It’s about finding a system that grows with your business, adapts to changes, and helps you work smarter. That’s what Beacon has done for us.”

For independent service station operators facing the challenge of managing multiple sites, ever-changing compliance requirements, and lean operating margins, Tropic Petroleum’s story offers a powerful reminder: the right technology partner makes all the difference.

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