Texas C-Store Chain Deploys Leading-Edge Connectivity to Increase Convenience and Enhance Security

BACKGROUND

Phillips 66 is a diversified energy manufacturing and logistics company with a portfolio of integrated businesses: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, Marketing and Specialties. The company processes, transports, stores and markets fuels and products globally. It has 2,100 marketers across the United States who own and operate approximately 7,500 Phillips 66 gas/convenience outlets.

Phillips 66 has a history of leveraging technology to improve efficiency, safety and productivity across its diverse organization; supporting its marketers is no exception. One of the most technology-savvy of these Phillips 66 marketers is Amarillo-based Pak-A-Sak, a family-owned company with 22 convenience stores throughout the Texas panhandle. Known for its friendly staff and innovative solutions, the company is sophisticated in its use of technology and is seen by Phillips 66 as a leader in the early adoption of new technologies.

THE NEED

For years, Phillips 66 has offered its marketers a network connectivity package, LinkSafe, through a sole service vendor. With the dramatic changes in the demand for faster speeds, greater security and accessibility, Phillips 66 introduced a major upgrade to the connectivity package, LinkSafe 2.0. To facilitate the launch of LinkSafe 2.0, the company selected SageNet as an alternative provider to the incumbent vendor.

The LinkSafe 2.0 platform takes advantage of the advances in, and availability of, high speed fixed broadband, the dramatic advances in cellular speeds, and the significant price reductions from the major carriers. LinkSafe 2.0 also employs state-of-the-art Unified Threat Management (UTM) technology to help protect cardholder data.

Because of its experience providing Managed Network Services to large, multi-site operations, as well as its experience supporting franchise and dealer-based organizations, SageNet became an attractive option to Phillips 66. Of particular interest was SageNet’s nationwide service and support organization featuring multiple 24/7 US-based network operations centers, leading-edge cybersecurity offerings and nationwide field service capabilities.

Headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., SageNet provides a full suite of managed network and cybersecurity services, dedicated personnel, technical expertise and innovative products and services that have set the standard for Managed Network and Security Services. Combining longstanding traditions of industry leadership, innovation and a passionate commitment to customer support, SageNet manages communications at more than 220,000 locations in the retail, healthcare, finance and energy industry sectors and for many of the country’s largest C-Store chains.

“We’re excited to be partnering with Pak-A-Sak, and all Phillips 66 marketers. The LinkSafe 2.0 initiative offers perfect synergy with our expertise in connectivity and security as well as extensive experience in the C-store space,” said Daryl Woodard, SageNet CEO. “Ever Phillips 66 C-store operates at the intersection of technology and convenience, where the customer experience and customer loyalty are king. This philosophy is also at the core of the SageNet approach and the cornerstone of the SageNet/Phillips 66 partnership.”

Working closely with Phillips 66, SageNet undertook an extensive R&D effort to put together the products and services that serve as the foundation for Phillips 66’s new LinkSafe 2.0 network solution for its independent marketers.

Pak-A-Sak’s reputation as technology leader led it to be selected as one of five pilot sites when the LinkSafe 2.0 program was rolled out in April 2016. In addition, Pak-A-Sak has been an early adopter of Phillips 66’s innovative Mobile Pay rewards program which provides consumers a faster, more secure way to make purchases, in-store and at the pump.