Ron Debruyne News

The marine software developer looks to accelerate growth with new backing from global technology firm.Marine operations software company Helm Operations has been acquired by Toronto-based Volaris Group Inc. (“Volaris”). Volaris specializes in strengthening and growing technology companies and is a leader in the marine software space. Founded in 1999, Helm Operations is widely known as a developer of marine operations software for the workboat market. Following an acquisition by ClassNK in 2014, the company released its newest platform, Helm CONNECT, in 2016, reportedly achieving measurable growth in just two years. The firm is heavily involved in the subchapter M implementation markets on U.S.

Canadian maritime software company, Helm Operations, a ClassNK subsidiary, sai dit has earned Class Type Approval for its planned maintenance software, Helm CONNECT. On September 1, 2017 after a detailed review process, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), issued a Type Approval Certificate for Helm CONNNECT as a recognized planned maintenance software system. ClassNK is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). IACS members recognize and accept Type Approvals from other society members, thereby allowing any ship owner to implement the Helm CONNECT software as their planned maintenance tracking system. “This is a historic moment for our organization. For many years we have been the market leader in maritime software for the global tug and barge industry.

The perennial “Year of Subchapter M” has been kicked forward again, this time to February 2016. That means that the clock is now ticking loudly for those towing operations that have yet to climb onboard the safety train. Quality operators see standardized safety practices as a way of leveling the playing field, integral to maintaining the health and profitability of their fleets, and key to winning business from quality customers. Subchapter M will be a phased-in over a period of years. It’s not as much time as you think.

Some 50 percent of crews working on offshore support vessels are willing to compromise safety rather than say “no” to clients or senior management, while nearly 80 percent believe commercial pressures could influence the safety of their working practices, according to operations and maintenance management software specialist Helm Operations, who commissioned a newly published report on workboat and OSV safety. The independent report, which summarizes six months of research by Fathom Maritime Intelligence and primary data collection and analysis by Southampton Solent University…

Today, software developer Helm Operations announced that it has signed Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA) Canada to its Helm CONNECT Preventive Maintenance software. PPA operates five pilot boats and provides complete pilotage services for all ports on Canada’s west coast including Vancouver and those within the Fraser River. Ekkebus continues, touching on a core element of Helm software’s purpose. Ron deBruyne, CEO and Founder of Helm Operations is proud to have Helm CONNECT serve PPA and says. Helm CONNECT is designed to be intuitive in every way. Helm works closely with workboat personnel when building the product through direct consultation with real life users, like port engineers, crew and shore-based personnel.

Some 50% of crews working on offshore support vessels are willing to compromise safety rather than say ‘no’ to clients or senior management, while nearly 80% believe commercial pressures could influence the safety of their working practices. The chilling findings, released to coincide with this week’s International Maritime Organization Maritime Safety Committee meeting, come from a new report on workboat and OSV safety commissioned by operations and maintenance management software specialist Helm Operations. ‘The Impact of Crew Engagement and Organizational Culture on Maritime Safety in the Workboats and OSV Sectors’ is the first maritime safety study specific to workboats and OSVs and will be finalized in time for World Maritime Day 2015, on September 26.

Software developer Helm Operations has signed on offshore rig moving and ocean towing services company Louisiana International Marine (LIM) to its Helm CONNECT Preventive Maintenance software. Louisiana International Marine operates six tugs that are ABS classed hull and machinery, A1 towing, and ISM certified. "We chose Helm CONNECT because [Helm] made it easy to do business with them. First off, their preventive maintenance and compliance software is the easiest we've ever seen, and secondly we didn't have to wait weeks to get a price quote from them,” said Anthony Roberts, Manager of Marine Traffic / Operations for Louisiana International Marine. Ron deBruyne, CEO and Founder of Helm Operations said he was excited to be working with Louisiana International Marine.

Helm Operations has signed on Brazilian harbor services company SAAM SMIT Towage to its Helm Marine Operations software to manage its billing and dispatch. SAAM SMIT Towage started towage operations in Brazil in 2008 and is now active in eight ports and terminals. SAAM SMIT provides assistance to incoming and outgoing seagoing vessels – including ro-ro ships, oil and chemical tankers, container ships, reefers and mixed cargo ships. Robert Martijn Smits, Commercial Manager of SMIT Brazil, said that reliability was a deciding factor in their choice of Helm. “We chose Helm because with the expansion of SAAM SMIT Towage in Brazil we needed a confident, 100% reliable and professional dispatch system to accompany us in our growth.

Helm Operations announced today that it has signed on barge fleeting and marine transportation company, Magnolia Fleet LLC to Helm CONNECT Preventive Maintenance. Magnolia Fleet operates 11 push boats, 2 fleets, and midstream fuel operations in New Orleans and Lake Charles. “We switched over to Helm because it is the most user friendly vessel operations software program I have come across,” said John Stewart of Magnolia Fleet. “And I think we have demoed or used in combination all of them. My idea is if someone like myself, who is pretty good with excel spreadsheets, has problems with other competitors’ software, how the heck is a deckhand, tankerman, or wheel man going to figure it out? The answer is they are not and they are not going to use it.

ClassNK has announced the acquisition of Victoria, Canada-based maritime software company Helm Operations. The deal was hailed by both parties as two world-class companies joining forces to improve safety and operational efficiency in the marine industry, while greatly enhancing the success and capabilities of both organizations. Tokyo-based ClassNK is one of the world’s largest classification societies, providing safety and certification services for more than 8,600 ships, representing about 20% of the global merchant fleet. Founded in 1999, Helm Operations has grown to become a leading provider of manning, maintenance, dispatch, and HSQE software to the workboat and offshore industries…

Edoc has confirmed  that SCF Liquids (SCF) has chosen Helm Marine Operations software (Helm) to run itsoperations. SCF Liquids is part of Seacor Holdings Inc.'s Inland River Services business segment and a sister company to SCF Marine Inc. Together, the business segment owns, operates, invests in and markets inland river transportation equipment. “We are thrilled to welcome SCF Liquids to the Helm family,” said Ron deBruyne, CEO and Founder of Edoc Systems Group, developers of Helm.

Edoc welcomed new customers McAllister Towing and Transportation, Seaspan International and Florida Marine Transporters in 2010. Edoc also reported sales of additional Helm software modules to existing customers Blessey Marine Services and Island Tug & Barge. “We’re very pleased with the addition of Seaspan, McAllister and Florida Marine,” said Ron deBruyne, CEO of Edoc Systems Group. DeBruyne also explained the increase in current customer sales. “Most new customers initially purchase Helm Dispatch Manager, which centralizes and manages all dispatch and invoicing functions. Once they see its effect on resource allocation and operational efficiency…

Edoc Systems Group Ltd., a software company for the marine and forestry industries, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. “We see this as a great chance to thank our customers first and foremost. The original three customers that helped get this company going in the beginning are still with us today – we truly appreciate the loyalty and we’re looking forward to partnering with them for another 10 years,” said Ron deBruyne, President of Edoc. Edoc had humble beginnings working on makeshift desks in the back office of a tug company. Thinking back to those early days deBruyne said, “That environment gave us the first important lesson – listen to your customers to find the true problem they want solved.