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Soolo gives the fuel industry real-time control
– and cuts transport costs in half with “the
value of knowing”

Soolo smart sensor device used for IoT monitoring, data tracking, and predictive maintenance

Many companies still lack real time visibility into how much fuel or liquid they actually have in their tanks. This leads to unnecessary trips, inefficient use of capacity, and in the worst case costly operational downtime.

A forward looking solution now exists. Stavanger based Soolo has developed a sensor and software platform that provides full control. By combining sensor technology, cloud based analytics, and IoT connectivity from Com4, customers gain real time insight into every tank regardless of location. This results in fewer transports, lower costs, and greater confidence that critical resources are always available.

About Soolo

Soolo develops technology for monitoring liquid levels in tanks. The solution is primarily used in fuel distribution, but also in industry, the public sector, and emergency preparedness. The company currently has 16 employees and has developed the entire solution internally, from hardware and firmware to cloud platform and API integrations.

At the core of the solution is a battery powered sensor that measures tank levels and sends data to the cloud, where customers can access it through dashboards, alerts, or integrations with their own systems. The solution is used not only to prevent fuel tanks from running empty, but also to ensure that other types of tanks, such as wastewater tanks, do not become too full.

Challenges

For many customers, operations are still characterized by manual processes and a lack of reliable data.  Traditionally, tanks were filled based on fixed routes or manual measurements. This resulted in low precision and inefficient resource utilization. This creates three main challenges:

1. Inefficient logistics

Tank trucks are often dispatched to fill tanks that are still half full. Utilization rates can be as
low as 50%, effectively doubling transport needs.

2. Risk of operational downtime

If a tank runs empty at a construction site or industrial facility, operations stop. The costs can be significant—both in penalties and lost production.

3. Lack of decision-making data

The industry has largely relied on experience, fixed routes, and manual measurements. While these methods have worked, they have a clear limitation: you know what you measured last time—not the current situation.
“Experienced operators have managed well with the tools available. But real-time data
provides a level of precision that simply wasn’t possible before,” says Hatlestad.

At the same time, infrastructure is challenging: sensors are often placed in manholes,
containers, or remote areas, where stable communication is essential.

Engineer using a digital interface to monitor and control a tank connected to a Soolo IoT sensor for real-time data tracking

Solutions

Soolo provides customers with real time insight into tank conditions at all times. The sensor measures liquid levels using hydrostatic pressure. A probe is placed at the bottom of the tank and registers the pressure from the liquid above, which is then converted into precise volume based on the tank’s shape and contents.

The data is transmitted through mobile networks to the cloud, where it becomes accessible to the customer. Soolo’s technology enables customers to:

● Plan delivery routes based on actual demand
● Increase the use of each tank
● Avoid overflows and empty tanks
● Predict future consumption

As Rein Anders Apeland at Soolo explains, the product is not just the sensor but the information the customer receives. The solution is used not only to prevent empty fuel tanks, but also to detect the opposite situation when other types of tanks become too full.

Soolo IoT sensor mounted on an industrial tank, measuring and transmitting real-time liquid level data for remote monitoring

The role of Com4

For Soolo, connectivity is a critical part of the solution.  Sensors often operate in environments with challenging coverage, where traditional mobile connectivity is insufficient. At the same time, the requirements are strict: the data must be delivered—every time.

Com4 provides SIM cards and a connectivity solution optimized for IoT, supporting technologies such as LTE-M and NB-IoT. “We transmit very little data, but it must be 100% reliable. Our sensors can be buried underground or placed inside containers, so robust coverage is absolutely essential,” says Apeland.

Through its collaboration with Com4, Soolo has achieved:

● Stable communication in challenging environments
● Multi-IMSI solutions for improved coverage
● High-level technical support
● Predictable operations across markets

“Com4 was the first provider that was both honest about limitations and able to answer our technical questions,” says Apeland.

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Results

Soolo demonstrates clear benefits for its customers:

1. Lower transport costs
Improved planning and higher utilization significantly reduce transport needs.

2. Increased operational reliability
Real-time data and alerts prevent tanks from running empty and avoid critical disruptions.

3. Better decision-making
Customers move from reactive operations to data-driven planning.

4. New business models
Distributors can offer services based on guaranteed availability and optimized logistics.
“When customers know exactly what they have, they can plan better. That has a direct impact on the bottom line,” says Hatlestad.

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Key technological factors


● Robust communication: Works in manholes, containers, and harsh environments
● Low power consumption: Battery life of 5–10 years depending on conditions
● Minimal data usage: Small data volumes with high reliability

 

Utilization
50 %
Typical utilization before optimization
Years
5–10
Battery life per sensor
KB/month
100
Data usage per device
NOK
50 K
Typical cost of an empty tank
Quote
“IoT may seem simple, but in practice it’s complex. Our sensors are often placed inareas with poor coverage, and we send small amounts of data that must always getthrough. With Com4, we have a solution that works in practice—and a team that understands the technology.”
Rein_Anders_Apeland_Display_Portrait
Rein Anders Apeland
System Architect/Co-founder at Soolo AS
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