The horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry continues to evolve, with projects becoming more complex and documentation requirements more stringent. The new Vermeer BorePlan app, a cutting-edge HDD planning software, aims to improve horizontal directional drilling operations by offering practical solutions for planning, execution and documentation challenges.
Brad Ausman, lead product manager for Vermeer Intelligent Worksite Products, explained, “The Vermeer BorePlan app is designed to make HDD operations smoother and more efficient. It’s like having an expert assistant in your pocket, helping you navigate the complexities of each project with our advanced HDD planning software.”
Vermeer BorePlan app addresses daily HDD challenges
The Vermeer BorePlan app is engineered to meet the demands of modern HDD projects. Its features address key industry needs, helping improve both project execution and overall productivity for users of horizontal directional drilling tools:
- Simplified planning: Digital HDD planning software tools create accurate bore plans, reducing time spent on manual calculations.
- Risk awareness: Utility mapping features record potential underground infrastructure, enhancing awareness and aiding HDD operators in making informed decisions during operations.
- Operator efficiency: Rod-by-rod plans enable operators to make quick adjustments during drilling, allowing crews to adapt to unexpected challenges with their horizontal directional drilling tools.
- Streamlined documentation: Reporting features help contractors meet industry documentation requirements efficiently.
Ausman provided a practical example: “Imagine you’re 25 rods into a 300-ft (91.4-m) shot and deeper than you originally planned. You’re stuck with the question of whether you can still complete the job without overbending or suddenly have to pull back and start over. With the Vermeer BorePlan app, you can quickly determine if you can still complete the job without overbending. This feature provides real-time confidence and supports data-driven decision-making on the jobsite.”
Improving productivity with user-friendly HDD planning software
A key feature of the Vermeer BorePlan app is its user-friendly interface, catering to both experienced operators and industry newcomers. The HDD planning software guides users step-by-step through the planning process and emphasizes key factors for successful bore execution.
“The Vermeer BorePlan app isn’t just for seasoned professionals,” Ausman noted. “It’s also a great tool for supporting less experienced team members. If you have someone who is just learning about HDD, our HDD planning software can help them understand the drilling process and guide them through the planning steps for horizontal directional drilling.”
Vermeer BorePlan app: Free to download, free to use
The Vermeer BorePlan app is available as a free download and is free to use, providing essential HDD planning software tools for horizontal directional drilling operations. For contractors requiring more advanced features, there’s also a premium version available. Here’s a comparison of the features available in each version:
| Features | Free Version | Premium Version |
| Aerial report | X | |
| As-built line | X | |
| As-built report | X | |
| Bore line | X | X |
| Bore setup report | X | |
| High accuracy GPS device connection | X | X |
| Job details report | X | |
| Job management | X | X |
| Left/right calculations | X | |
| Measurement lines | X | X |
| Notes | X | X |
| Obstacles | X | X |
| Profile report | X | X |
| Rod-by-rod report | X | X |
| Save files to device | X | X |
| Settings | X | X |
| Target point report | X | |
| Topography report | X | |
| Utility crossing report | X | |
| Utility intersection detection | X | X |
| Utility lines | X | X |
Let’s explore what each version of this HDD planning software offers to horizontal directional drilling professionals in more detail.
BorePlan free version: Essential HDD planning software for every operation
The Vermeer BorePlan app free version includes several essential features for HDD operations:
- Straight-line bore planning for horizontal directional drilling
- Basic utility mapping
- Onsite accessible rod-by-rod plans
- Integration with high-accuracy GPS tools
- Aerial imagery provided by ESRI
“These features enable contractors to visualize their horizontal directional drilling projects within the surrounding environment. The free version of our HDD planning software promotes the practice of having a plan for every bore, which is an industry best practice. It’s about making planning as easy as possible and lowering the barrier to entry for all HDD professionals,” Ausman emphasized.
BorePlan Premium: Advanced HDD planning software for complex projects
For contractors requiring enhanced capabilities, the Vermeer BorePlan app Premium version offers an upgraded experience. This HDD planning software builds upon the free app with advanced features:
- Compound curve planning for complex horizontal directional drilling paths
- Advanced calculators for setbacks and bore exit
- Comprehensive reporting packages
- CAD and engineering plan exports
- Multi-project management capabilities
Ausman highlighted a key benefit of the premium version: “Consider how much time crews spend documenting their work at the end of the day. With the Vermeer BorePlan app Premium, one team member can quickly input the data and email a PDF report. This HDD planning software could save hours of after-hours work, time that could be better spent having fun with family and friends.”
The bottom line: Improving HDD operations with the Vermeer BorePlan app
The Vermeer BorePlan app represents a significant step forward in HDD planning software technology. Ausman concluded, “Our HDD planning software is designed to boost efficiency, adapt to various jobsite conditions and ultimately help enhance our customers’ productivity in horizontal directional drilling operations.”
For HDD contractors looking to improve their operations in a competitive market, the Vermeer BorePlan app offers a practical solution that combines precision planning, onsite efficiency and streamlined documentation in one mobile HDD planning software application.
Download the free version of the Vermeer BorePlan app today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
To sign up for BorePlan Premium HDD planning software, visit the Vermeer website. The premium version is available for an annual fee of $1,299 as of October 2024, providing access to all advanced features for one user account.
Contact your local Vermeer dealer to learn more about how the Vermeer BorePlan app can improve your horizontal directional drilling projects.
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