The Challenge
Thomas Oilfield Services' old procurement and inventory system wasn't keeping pace with their growth. They wanted automation that could reorder stock at the right time, run their marketplace effectively, and work with their NetSuite ERP system. A major hurdle was handling material masters in their ERP – crucial for tracking inventory, planning, and forecasting.
The Solution
Thomas built something new: a smart inventory network that connects Vroozi's procurement platform with their NetSuite ERP, forming the foundation for a new business division called Thomas Supply. But they went beyond basic inventory tracking – they created a marketplace where customers can directly access and order from Thomas's stock. The system works in a cycle:
- Stock levels trigger automatic purchase requests when running low
- Requests pull from pre-approved suppliers in the Vroozi Marketplace
- Orders go out automatically while updating inventory counts
- When goods arrive, available stock updates instantly
- Products show up right away in Thomas's customer marketplace
They also solved the material master puzzle – Vroozi now automatically creates these essential product IDs in NetSuite, keeping both systems in sync. "We approached Vroozi with a clear vision to integrate systems that provide critical business information and ultimately help drive data-driven decisions," notes Ed Esqueda, Supply Chain Director at Thomas Oilfield.
The Results
This new approach has completed changed how Thomas runs their business:
Fast, Smarter Operations
- Orders and inventory updates happen automatically
- Real-time data shows exactly where money goes
- Handles 7,600 purchase requests and 7,300 orders
- Processes 8,200 invoices through the platform
- Manages $15.6MM in payments
Systems Working Together
- Vroozi and NetSuite share data automatically
- Product IDs sync between systems
- Stock levels update in real time
- Supplier catalogs feed directly into the system
Business Impact
- Better data drives smarter decisions
- Combined purchasing increases buying power
- Controlled processes cut unauthorized spending
- Stronger relationships with suppliers
- Comprehensive supplier qualification and risk management
The system keeps growing – from 42 users now to a 71% jump from last year. Thomas's innovative marketplace approach is showing other oil and gas companies what's possible when you combine smart procurement with inventory management. Looking ahead, Thomas is already planning to incorporate IoT devices throughout their warehouses, which will further strengthen their operational capabilities.
