Path to Paperless: How Flomax Compression is Modernizing Field Service with NetSuite and Plative

Navigating the Landscape

As Flomax surpassed 100 employees, legacy systems became a significant roadblock to scaling and international expansion into the US market. For 15 years, the company relied on manual pen-and-paper triplicate forms and disconnected accounting software.

Technicians working in remote Northern BC and Alberta sites often lacked cell service, meaning critical paperwork could take weeks to reach headquarters. This delay created a “fast and loose” environment where reporting was never live, hindering real-time cash flow management and data-driven decision-making.

“Our biggest issue was getting information and documentation from the field to the office“

— Jeremy Atkinson, General Manager, Flomax

The Plative Partnership

To solve these complexities, Flomax partnered with Plative to implement a comprehensive Oracle NetSuite ERP solution, consolidating financials, inventory, and field services into a single “OneWorld” platform. The teams worked as a single unit to ensure technical details were translated into practical, high-value tools for the field.

A critical part of the collaboration involved developing custom capabilities for Legal Land Descriptions (LLDs). Required for invoicing in the oil industry, LLDs are often unsupported by standard mapping tools. By combining Flomax’s industry expertise with Plative’s technical knowledge, they also co-designed sophisticated time entry systems to handle complex overtime and subsistence allowances for field crews.

“There were a lot of good feelings with the people [Plative] implementing it. They really seemed to know what they were doing and made for the best experience it could be.”

— Jeremy Atkinson, General Manager, Flomax

A Transformed Future: Empowering the Field

The implementation of the NetSuite Field Service mobile app has been a game-changer for Flomax’s remote operations. This mobile-first approach addresses the company’s biggest logistical challenge: working without connectivity.

• Offline Capability: Technicians capture job data, parts usage, and time entries on-site, even in dead zones.
• Automatic Sync: As soon as a technician reaches a signal, the app syncs all data to NetSuite, providing the home office with immediate visibility.
• Faster Billing: By eliminating the weeks-long wait for physical paperwork, Flomax can now build and send invoices faster, significantly improving cash flow.
• Paperless Goal: Flomax is now on a clear path to a paperless office, with the objective of moving entirely away from physical files.

The visibility provided by NetSuite now allows leadership to see real-time branch performance, replacing guesswork with hard data.

“The only thing we have to worry about now is new hires and acquiring properties to get new branches”

— Jeremy Atkinson, General Manager, Flomax

Looking Ahead

Flomax continues to work with Plative through the Innovate Program of Work to further automate workflows. This ongoing partnership includes finalizing their US subsidiary and refining the system to support their next two decades of growth.