Microsoft technology solutions support PV Oil grow sustainably

PetroVietnam Oil Corporation (PV Oil), a member of Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) which was born from a merger of PetroVietnam Trading Company (Petechim) and PetroVietnam Oil Processing and Distribution Company (PDC) in mid 2008, has grown robustly since then with activities spreading throughout the territory of Vietnam and encompassing overseas development.

PV OIL is proud of entirely importing and exporting Vietnam’s crude oil in a safe and effective manner and being a pioneer in the field of biofuels.

In 2012, PV OIL's total sales reached VND 82,525 billion ($4 billion), accounting for 11 per cent of PetroVietnam’s total revenue. Consolidated before tax profit of the entire PV OIL reached VND469 billion ($22.3 million) with a total contribution to state budget of VND5.63 trillion ($268 million).

Its notable achievements came in large from proper investments into IT field, particularly the application of Microsoft technology solutions. Recognising the benefits of technology and IT solutions deployment and application at the company, president and CEO of PV OIL Nguyen Xuan Son shared, “We understand the investment in technology is a strategic investment long term, so after developping our IT strategy properly, we have plans to build a multi-stage investment but all phases are strategic and clear vision for years.”

Accordingly, right from its inception, PV OIL has been paying attention to the need of self-administration of centralised identity domain name system (Domain Controller) and user account management system (Active Directory) in order to have unified management throughout the system that acts as a foundation to develop shared applications (Sharepoint) on the PV OIL's portal.

That was why PV OIL decided to deploy Microsoft solutions such as SQL Server 2008, Active Directory 2012, Exchange 2013, SharePoint 2012, Office 365 with an orientation of deploying advanced solutions like Lync 2012, Forefront PV OIL to well perform PV OIL brand protection and showing professionalism to customers, creating trust and contributing to the confirmation of prestige of the products and services provided by PV OIL to customers.

Microsoft SharePoint solution is fully compliant with the requirements on data sorting, storing and sharing in large enterprise environments. Sharepoint data can be accessed via many different types of devices, which is suitable in a dynamic environment such as PV OIL's. The Lync solution will help PV OIL to maximise the effectiveness and superior features brought about by Microsoft technologies to building up a multimedia working environment, saving costs and improving competitiveness for PV OIL while Office 365 will be very suitable to a fast changing environment such as PV OIL's in the near future.

Specifically, PV OIL has no need to bother about office software maintenance and upgrade because it's been supported by Microsoft Office. The use of Office 365 helps save a lot of efforts for Helpdesk, and the company can also use Office 365 on different types of equipment to support anywhere working while maintaining security and safety.

SQL Server allows efficient exploitation of the corporate governance applications at small and medium sizes with a capability to be implemented across PV OIL system.

"In fact, the investment capital for the application of IT is often very significant, because of the investment into comprehensive infrastructure solutions and related IT applications. In particular, for an such a big scale enterprise like PV OIL, which have wide domestical and international distribution networks, the investment budget into technology are quite significant,” confirmed Bui Dinh Dung, IT director of PV OIL. “However, the advantage of the Microsoft technology solution when deploying really effective for all levels- from leadership member to staff. Users understand that without applying information technology, particular Microsoft technology, the job will face many difficulties, time-consuming and costly. So, we convince leaders spent the day care and greater investment in IT.”

Due to specific business volatility of the petroleum sector, with the scope of activities not only domestically but also abroad, PV OIL is interested in the ability to provide information safely and quickly to business units, branches and customers through deployment of an account management system and an email system with dedicated domain names (@pvoil.com.vn and @[business unit name]. pvoil.vn).

Currently, the domain name system management (Domain Controller), the centralised account management system (Active Directory 2012), the Email system (Exchange 2013) and the Portal (Sharepoint 2010) have been implemented for the 3,300 user accounts in 40 affiliated units, the dominant share joint venture companies and alliances, including overseas companies on the basis of SQL Server 2008 database system.

Data are centrally managed on servers and equipment located at the corporation headquarters, therefore, the administration, security, backups and upgrades are all done easily and quickly. IT related regulations, processes and policies are all carefully developed and strictly implemented by PV OIL.

PV OIL always received positive support from Microsoft in the system deployment process. IT team and implementation partners have regular participation into Microsoft training courses to improve system deployment and management capacity.

When encountering difficulties in the system integration and upgrades, Microsoft has always been actively cooperating with PV OIL to ensure the implementation of the expected results.

"Microsoft has always been actively coordinating and solving problems faced by PV OIL. The comprehensive deployment helped saving a lot of operating expenses, and thanks to that, the time it takes for information exchange and costs of printing out hard-copies drop sharply while job effectiveness is still maintained. User support team (Helpdesk), Network Administrators and System Administrators also fully exploit the Microsoft technology solutions in their daily system operations,” said Microsoft Vietnam general director Vu Minh Tri.

In Vietnam and worldwide, the use of pirated software is violation of the law. Therefore, PV OIL has paid a lot of attention to compliance with software copyright law. It has signed a business cooperation agreement (EA) with Microsoft which has brought about certain benefits and effectiveness as well as a long-term orientation for PV OIL brand both at home and abroad.

With PV OIL, IT and technology is not only the key to success, bringing benefits to the business but also the long-term orientation for a top brand.

The most important partner of PV OIL in the successful deployment of all IT solutions, inclusive of Microsoft IT solutions, contributing to improvement of PV OIL business and production efficiency is the Petroleum Trading Joint Stock Company (Abbreviated name: Petechim JSC.,).

Established in 1981, Petechim is one of the oldest and most prestigious brands of Vietnam, especially in the field of trade and oil services. Honored to be assigned as an inheritance and development unit of Petechim brand, Petroleum Trading Joint Stock Company (Petechim JSC) continues to serve as one of the best trading, services, and technologies arms in Vietnam oil and gas industry, and diversify the type of business, expanding market segments from the upstream sector to the downstream sector.

With the mission “Enhancing the value chain from energy activities through technological advances and quality services of a company valuable on trust”, Petechim commit to provide comprehensive response, stable quality, professional service to satisfy the increasing demands of customers.