How it works
Real software, tested in real operations
I am Razvan, an IT Officer on expedition and cruise vessels. I built these tools to solve problems I deal with every day on board. Now I need feedback from the people who will use them in real operations.
- You get a full licence at no cost: 3 months for AntennaPilot and RoutePilot, 1 month for Device Manager for SonicWall, BackupPilot and EightBells.
- You use the software in your normal operational workflow.
- You send structured feedback: what works, what does not, what is missing.
- No automatic charges, no lock-in, no sales pressure.
AntennaPilot
For technicians who look after TVRO and VSAT antennas
- Parallel AZ/EL model vs ACU: an independent calculation, not a copy of ACU data.
- AutoCorrect sends the antenna back to the right satellite after blockage or a wrong lock.
- Map view with satellites and vessel, diagnostic log for handovers and escalation.
- Compatible with SeaTel (Cobham) antenna control units.
- A 24-hour free demo is available before you join.
RoutePilot
For officers who plan passages
- Route builder with great-circle ETA for every waypoint.
- Weather matched to each waypoint ETA: waves, wind, swell, temperature, Arctic and Antarctic ice.
- Sea state card refreshed every 2 minutes.
- NMEA 0183 live tracking over TCP or USB serial, with automatic departure timestamps at each waypoint.
- Voyage report in PDF and Excel, presentation mode for crew briefings and passenger screens.
- ECDIS import and export: RTZ, GPX, KML, CSV, JRC, MARIS, OziExplorer and more. Compatible with Furuno, Sperry Marine, Kongsberg K-Bridge, JRC, Raytheon Anschutz, OpenCPN and MaxSea/TimeZero.
Device Manager for SonicWall
For IT officers who register crew and guest devices
- One form per person: clean MAC Address Object names, Address Groups ticked once.
- Expiry date for every device: removed from groups or deleted on the day access ends.
- Android app scans the MAC from ipconfig or the Wi-Fi screen and warns about random MACs.
- Windows and Android, for SonicWall firewalls with SonicOS 7.
- 24 hours free, then a free 1-month licence in exchange for your feedback.
More about Device Manager for SonicWall
BackupPilot for Synology NAS
For IT officers who answer for the backups
- A deadline per backup source, such as every day by 06:00, with sound and email when it is missed.
- Watched folders for backups written by Veeam, Acronis, robocopy, rsync or any other software.
- Every new backup compared with its own history; an unusual run waits for your decision.
- Strictly read-only on the NAS, no cloud, weekly PDF report.
- 24 hours free, then a free 1-month licence in exchange for your feedback.
More about BackupPilot for Synology NAS
EightBells Fleet Time Manager
For IT officers who look after the PCs of the ship domain
- Timezone and clock of every Windows PC in the domain, set now or at a scheduled time.
- Clocks that do not synchronise found and repaired, drift shown per PC.
- Software inventory across the fleet of PCs, silent uninstall, push install from a share.
- Nine remote modules over WinRM, no agents, Undo for every reversible change.
- 24 hours free, then a free 1-month licence in exchange for your feedback.
More about EightBells Fleet Time Manager
Questions
Beta programme: frequently asked questions
Is it really free?
Yes. The beta licence is a full licence (3 months for AntennaPilot and RoutePilot, 1 month for Device Manager for SonicWall, BackupPilot and EightBells), with no payment details and no automatic renewal.
What do I have to do in return?
Use the software in your real work and tell me honestly what works and what does not. A short email is enough.
Can my colleagues join too?
Yes. Each person applies with the form; licences are tied to the computer they are installed on.
When will I get an answer?
Usually within 48 hours. At sea, satellite links can make it a little slower.