Ultracargo continues to advance in its digital transformation quest with focus on service excellence and proximity to market hubs. The most recent initiative in this context is Ultracapex – an application software developed by the company’s Engineering team to optimize the initial phase of conceptual studies for new businesses.
The tool’s objective is to transform what was until recently a bureaucratic process of back-and-forth between technical solutions into a consultative experience. Parametric analysis algorithms and historical databases are utilized by the app to generate infrastructure investment estimates regarding the costs for bulk liquid storage facilities within minutes, during commercial alignment meetings. These cost projections are needed for the CAPEX financing modality.
The app focuses on Class 5 estimates – feasibility projections for embryonic studies. By comparing the costs of recent projects by country region and a detailed database of tanks and platforms, the tool delivers financial guidance with up to 90% of accuracy in relation to the maturity level of this project phase.
“Ultracapex acts as a strategic facilitator. In addition to providing immediate insight into the feasibility of a study, it also reduces uncertainties right from the beginning,” explains Raphael Nascimento, Executive Commercial and Planning Director at Ultracargo. “This allows the client to test different scenarios and adjust the scope in real time, ensuring that the project moving on to the detailed engineering phases is already much more according to his return-on-investment expectations.”
Despite Ultracapex being a tool developed for internal use by the New Businesses and Commercial teams, its greatest benefit when used by our business partners lies in the speed of provided results, especially in a challenging economic climate where competitiveness demands creative and speedy solutions. The tool was designed to eliminate bottlenecks caused by waiting for preliminary technical feedback, which previously could take anywhere from 5 to 15 days.
“Changing the dynamics of our relationship with the market is a priority. We want to be a solid and dependable partner chosen for long-term relations by our clients,” emphasizes the director. “By digitizing this feasibility analysis, we ensure a faster response and more transparent dialogue regarding the possibilities for each project.”
The Ultracapex roadmap foresees the addition of new functionalities, such as the integration of AI layers to refine predictive calculations and automated reports for Business Plan (BP) studies and sustaining projects.