HomeArticlesTank StorageImplico OpenTAS Terminal Management: EMEA Leader 2026

Implico OpenTAS Terminal Management: EMEA Leader 2026

Implico OpenTAS terminal management has held the position of EMEA market leader in terminal automation software for over a decade, a status confirmed by five consecutive ARC Advisory Group studies between 2010 and 2020. Hamburg-based Implico Group has been developing downstream oil and gas software since 1983, and its OpenTAS platform now processes more than 1.7 million truck movements annually across its client base.

Company Overview

Implico Group was founded in 1983 and is headquartered at Weidestrasse 120b, 22083 Hamburg, Germany. The company focuses exclusively on the downstream oil and gas sector, delivering terminal management systems, SAP integration consulting, and cloud-based SaaS software to petroleum distributors, independent storage operators, and major terminal networks across Europe and beyond.

With more than 40 years in the downstream software market, Implico operates under a dual brand structure: the parent company trades as Implico Group, while its flagship product is marketed under the OpenTAS brand — including a dedicated product site at opentas.com. Both brand identities are actively promoted, reflecting the platform’s growing standalone recognition in the terminal automation sector.

OpenTAS — The Terminal Management System

OpenTAS is a full-function terminal management system designed to control and automate multi-modal terminal operations — road tanker loading, rail tank car movements, marine vessel operations, and pipeline receipts. The platform handles order management, gantry control, product blending, stock reconciliation, and regulatory reporting within a single integrated environment.

A key differentiator is OpenTAS’s native integration with SAP IS Oil and SAP OGSD (Oil & Gas Secondary Distribution), allowing terminal operators running SAP enterprise systems to connect inventory, billing, and logistics data directly to gantry operations without custom middleware. The system holds EMCS 2.5 certification, enabling automated customs declarations for cross-border fuel movements — a compliance requirement for European petroleum distributors.

Confirmed clients include Rompetrol in Romania, Brenntag GmbH at its Berlin mineral oil terminal handling heating oil and diesel, and Certas Energy Retail Europe, which uses the QCM module for downstream fuel distribution management. TanQuid deployed OpenTAS 6.0 at its Duisburg terminal as part of a facility modernisation programme, and EVOS Hamburg ran a prototype trial for rail tank car operations.

The platform is deployed across the top tier of European terminal management system providers, and its SAP integration capability positions it alongside enterprise-grade solutions adopted by major independent terminal networks.

OpenTAS GO — Cloud and SaaS for Independent Terminals

OpenTAS GO is Implico’s pre-configured SaaS product family launched for independent storage providers that require faster deployment and a subscription-based cost model rather than a full enterprise implementation. The “Pay as you GO” pricing model converts terminal automation software from a capital expenditure into an operational subscription — a significant shift for smaller operators.

The GO family offers three pre-configured variants, each matched to a terminal type. IDT (Inland Distribution Terminals) targets road-loading petroleum depots. MRT (Marine Terminals) covers vessel-fed bulk liquid operations. SPT (Special Products Terminals) handles LNG, LPG, bitumen, and chemical storage — product categories that require specialist handling protocols and regulatory configurations not typically included in standard TMS packages.

OpenTAS GO is available as both an on-premises installation and a cloud-hosted deployment, giving independent operators flexibility to match their IT infrastructure. For terminal operators evaluating their automation options, the GO family is positioned as a structured entry point to the full OpenTAS environment. For context on the broader equipment landscape serving terminals, see the Top 10 Tank Equipment Manufacturers 2026.

Implico in 2026

Implico exhibited at StocExpo 2026 Rotterdam (booth G20), where OpenTAS GO and the company’s autonomous terminal roadmap were central to its stand presence. StocExpo remains the primary European trade event for independent terminal operators — the target customer for the GO product family — making it a key commercial platform for Implico.

The TanQuid Duisburg modernisation with OpenTAS 6.0 represents the current generation deployment standard, and the EVOS Hamburg rail tank car prototype signals Implico’s active development of multi-modal functionality beyond road loading. Rail-integrated terminal management has become a relevant capability as European operators look to reduce road freight dependency and handle larger throughput volumes at hub terminals.

Implico’s product direction aligns with the broader push toward autonomous terminal operations — reducing manual intervention at gantry level, automating compliance documentation, and integrating real-time inventory data with enterprise ERP systems. For a view of how major terminal operators are adopting digital systems, see the Tank Terminals: The Complete Global Guide 2026.

Company Snapshot

DetailData
CompanyImplico Group
Founded1983
HeadquartersHamburg, Germany
Core ProductOpenTAS Terminal Management System
Market PositionEMEA leader (ARC Advisory Group, 5 studies 2010–2020)
Annual Truck Movements Processed1.7 million+
Deployment ModelsOn-premises, cloud/SaaS
Key CertificationsEMCS 2.5
SAP IntegrationIS Oil, OGSD
Product LinesOpenTAS, OpenTAS GO (IDT / MRT / SPT), iGOS
Sector FocusDownstream oil and gas, petroleum distribution
AwardsFrost & Sullivan Global Customer Value Enhancement Award 2011

What is Implico Group’s OpenTAS system?

OpenTAS is a terminal management system (TMS) developed by Implico Group that automates and controls multi-modal terminal operations, including road tanker loading, rail movements, marine receipts, and pipeline transfers. It handles order management, gantry control, product blending, stock reconciliation, and customs reporting within a single platform.

Where is Implico Group the market leader?

According to ARC Advisory Group, Implico OpenTAS terminal management holds the market leader position in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) for downstream distribution automation. This position was confirmed in five consecutive ARC studies conducted between 2010 and 2020.

What is the OpenTAS GO product family?

OpenTAS GO is Implico’s pre-configured SaaS offering for independent storage operators. It comes in three variants: IDT for inland distribution terminals, MRT for marine terminals, and SPT for special products including LNG, LPG, bitumen, and chemicals. It is available on a “Pay as you GO” subscription model, on-premises or cloud-hosted.

Which industries and terminal types does OpenTAS serve?

OpenTAS serves petroleum distribution depots, independent bulk liquid terminals, chemical storage facilities, LNG and LPG terminals, and marine-fed storage operations. Confirmed client sectors include heating oil and diesel distribution, chemical logistics, and multi-product hub terminals across Europe.

How does OpenTAS integrate with SAP?

OpenTAS integrates natively with SAP IS Oil and SAP OGSD (Oil & Gas Secondary Distribution), connecting terminal-level gantry and inventory data directly to SAP enterprise systems without custom middleware. This SAP integration is a primary differentiator for terminal operators running SAP as their core ERP platform.

Richard Hartleyhttps://www.oilgasstoragenews.com
Richard Hartley — Editor, Oil & Gas Storage News Richard Hartley is the Editor of Oil & Gas Storage News, a specialist B2B publication covering tank terminals, LNG infrastructure, pipelines, and energy storage worldwide. He covers the full value chain — from upstream storage and midstream logistics through to downstream terminal operations — with a focus on market developments, company profiles, and infrastructure projects that matter to working professionals. Richard's reporting draws on industry data, operator announcements, and project filings to deliver technically credible news and analysis. He is based in Houston, Texas
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