Cognesense
Customer notice · Aug 2026 Download PDF ↵
End of life announcement

WINGauge reaches end of life on
30 September 2026.

A planned, orderly retirement of L&J Technologies' legacy tank inventory management software. Installations keep running; Cognesense support for them does not.

ProductWINGauge 3905
End of support30 Sept 2026
SuccessorVarec FuelsManager
01

Why the retirement is happening now.

For many customers, WINGauge has been a dependable part of daily operations for 25 years or more. This notice marks the start of a planned, orderly transition — not an abrupt change.

WINGauge was built on Microsoft Visual Basic 6, a foundation Microsoft no longer supports. The software has performed reliably for a long time, but relying on an unsupported foundation means Cognesense can no longer guarantee a repair path if a driver, operating system, or other critical component fails.

Retiring WINGauge on a planned schedule gives customers time to modernize on their own terms, rather than in response to an unplanned failure. Existing installations are not disabled — what changes is Cognesense's ability to support the software going forward.

02

Milestone dates

Table 01
MilestoneDefinitionDate
End of Software Maintenance Cognesense no longer develops, modifies, patches, updates, or maintains WINGauge software. Full support continues until this date. 30 Sept 2026
End of Life All technical support ends. Cognesense no longer troubleshoots, repairs, restores, reconfigures, or provides phone, email, remote, or on-site support. No extended-support option is available. 30 Sept 2026
03

Versions and installations affected

ProductWINGauge 3905 Inventory Management System, including connected MCG3950 client software
VersionsAll versions — built on Visual Basic 6
PathVarec FuelsManager

Installations on Windows 98 or Windows XP will need an operating system and server hardware upgrade to run FuelsManager. Cognesense recommends a modern server or equivalent hardware — confirmed during your site assessment.

04

Why FuelsManager

FuelsManager is Varec's terminal automation and inventory management platform, in active use at more than 600 sites — terminals, refineries, airports, distilleries and U.S. defense installations. It is the only Defense Logistics Agency–accredited Accountable Property System of Record for bulk fuel operations.

WINGauge 3905 tank detail screen showing measured values, level setpoints and transfer functions
FIG. 01 - FuelsManager, Example Inventory Management Screen
01

Real-time inventory management

Tank levels, volumes, temperatures, and alarms, with API correction tables built in.

02

Browser-based, mobile-friendly

Accessible from a desktop, laptop, or tablet, eliminating the need to install software on users' computers.

03

Room to grow

Modules extend to terminal automation, SCADA integration, inventory accounting, and enterprise dashboards, so the same platform supports the operation as it expands.

04

Subscription-based licensing

Built to stay current and supported into the future, rather than aging as WINGauge did. Includes 24/7 help-desk support and updates as released.

05

Hardware options, matched to your site

Depending on the results of a site assessment, a migration may also involve new field communications hardware. Varec's RTU family lets gauges from multiple manufacturers communicate with FuelsManager, protecting the investment already made in field instrumentation.

Varec 8810 RTU chassis with CPU, serial, bi-phase mark and digital I/O modules
Fig. 02 — Varec 8810 RTU, multi-protocol field interface
8810 RTUBuilt for larger or multi-protocol sites. Supports up to 400 tanks and more than 20 communication protocols.
9810 miniRTUA compact option for smaller or single-protocol sites. Supports up to 32 tanks in a lower-cost, DIN-rail-mountable unit.
Not requiredNeither RTU is automatically required, and some sites may retain existing field-interface equipment. The right combination is determined during assessment, not before.
06

Support policy

Table 02
PeriodWhat Cognesense providesWhat this means for you
Through 30 Sept 2026 Full WINGauge support, consistent with current practice. Use this window to stabilize operations and start migration planning.
After 30 Sept 2026 No troubleshooting, repair, restoration, reconfiguration, phone, email, remote, or on-site support. No paid extension is available. The software is not disabled, but continued operation is entirely unsupported.
Anytime Site assessment, FuelsManager solution development, proposal, implementation, commissioning, and training. Migration services are available on request and are scoped to your site.
07

What to do next

Running Windows Server 2019 or a modern OS Contact Cognesense now to begin planning your FuelsManager migration.
Running Windows XP or an older OS Contact Cognesense to plan a hardware refresh. A service technician will coordinate new equipment, installation, and FuelsManager setup.
Unsure of your version, or running a customized site-specific build Contact us. A Cognesense representative can assess your current installation and plan a migration path.

Because tank inventory, safety, and compliance are often managed together, many WINGauge customers also work with other Cognesense brands on the same tank — Shand & Jurs for conservation vents and overfill protection, L&J Technologies and Varec for the gauging hardware itself. Ask your representative how these fit together as a single, coordinated tank program.

Talk to us first

One call starts your migration plan.

Site assessments, proposals and FuelsManager implementation are available now — no need to wait for the deadline.

Andy Taer
Director of Sales · Software