Helm Connect and ShipTracks’ Competitor Jobs Automation dashboard (source: Helm)
Companies involved in docking ships in ports can use tracking data to follow competitors’ work and plan ways to gain new contracts and optimise tugboat dispatch
Helm Operations and ShipTracks have introduced an automated method of using automatic identification system (AIS) data to track vessels around ports to help tugboat and workboat owners become more competitive.
They have added Competitor Jobs Automation into fleet management software Helm Connect. A set of integrated features for harbour docking companies, designed to ensure they do not miss work in ports they operate in, it uses AIS to track ship movements and data from competitors on their vessel handling, towage and docking work.
“ShipTracks’ AIS integration with Helm Connect gives customers the ability to see the geographic location of all inbound vessels they have orders for,” said ShipTracks chief executive Charles Riley.
“When the new Competitor Jobs Automation capability is enabled, not only do customers see their own orders, but also competitors’ orders, automatically and accurately – and this changes everything,” he explained.
Automatic data entry into the Helm Connect platform means dispatchers do not have to track and manually enter competitor orders.
Competitor Jobs Automation feature Helm Connect ensures clean and accurate competitor analysis data can be made available across commercial organisations.
“This feature reduces operational costs for customers, increases their bottom line, and gives an accurate, central location to monitor their own and competitors’ jobs, giving them the edge on market intelligence,” said Mr Riley.
Users select a set of competitors to track and input vessels to track to create an order. They can see all order information including lists of competitor jobs, with vessel names, tugs that assisted each ship and vessels’ position and destination information.
A dashboard displays the volume of work in comparison to competitors by date, customer, port and trip type.
An optionalal Helm dashboard provides key operational metrics, including estimates of competitor revenue, a comparison against their own actuals, and the number of potential jobs available in a region or port.
“Competitor Jobs Automation adds even more value to the integration between ShipTracks and Helm Connect, freeing up staff from manual data entry, while providing operators with a tool that can increase productivity and profitability,” said Mr Riley.
Helm Operations partner manager Paul Cyr said integration of ShipTracks enables users to optimise tugboat dispatch.
“Partnering with maritime companies helps Helm to provide our users with integrated tools to improve their operations, safety and profitability,” said Mr Cyr. “Our integration partners make life easier for your shore staff and crew.”
