# Helmsman Consultancy

> Helmsman Consultancy is a design and solution driven technology consulting and development company. Based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, Helmsman builds the systems businesses run on — enterprise software (ERP, CRM, HRMS), AI and digital transformation, and digital products (web, mobile, SaaS) — for clients in India and overseas. Motto: "Understand first. Build second. Evolve always." Tagline: "You're the Captain. We're your Helmsman."

## Key facts
- Projects delivered: 80+
- Specialist network: 220+
- Global offices: 2+
- Signs an NDA on every project; case-study clients are kept confidential.
- Every engagement starts with an SLA setting communication protocols, response times and performance expectations.
- Industries: Manufacturing, distribution and trading, retail and e-commerce, professional services, healthcare, education, jewellery, capital and consumer brands — in India and overseas.

## Contact
- Address: A-603 Shapath Hexa, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380060, India
- Phone: +91 94086 64922
- Email: contact@helmsman.in
- Website: https://www.helmsman.in/
- Start a project: https://www.helmsman.in/contact

## Services
### [Enterprise Software](https://www.helmsman.in/services/enterprise-software)
ERP, CRM, HRMS and the business systems your teams work in every day.
- ERP: Operations, inventory, purchase, accounts.
- CRM: Leads, quotations, customer history.
- HRMS: Attendance, leave, payroll, appraisals.
- Sales & Distribution: Field sales, schemes, dealers.
- Manufacturing: Planning, job work, batch and quality.
- Supply Chain: Procurement, vendors, stock, dispatch.
- Finance & Accounting: Billing, receivables, payables, costing.
- Workflow Automation: Approvals, escalations and alerts.
- AI Automation & Predictive Analysis: Systems that decide, and forecast what comes next.
- Business Intelligence: Dashboards management can act on.
- System Integration: Making existing tools talk to each other.
- Custom ERP Platforms: Where no product fits the way you work.
### [AI & Digital Transformation](https://www.helmsman.in/services/ai-digital-transformation)
Connecting what you already run, automating what is repeated, and modernising what has aged out.
- Process automation: Repeated work, done by the system.
- System integration: Making existing tools talk to each other.
- API development: Clean doors between systems.
- Data migration: Years of records, moved without loss.
- Legacy modernisation: Replacing what has aged out.
- Dashboards & analytics: One screen, the numbers that matter.
- AI automation & predictive analysis: Systems that decide, and forecast what comes next.
- AI matching & recommendations: The right people, products and content.
### [Digital Products](https://www.helmsman.in/services/digital-products)
Web, mobile and SaaS platforms built for your customers, partners and field teams.
- Web Applications: Browser products for daily use.
- Mobile Applications: iOS and Android, customers and field.
- SaaS Platforms: Subscriptions, roles, multi-tenant.
- B2B Platforms: Dealer, partner and ordering networks.
- B2C Applications: Consumer products built to retain.
- E-commerce: Storefronts tied to stock and pricing.
- AI Matching & Recommendations: The right people, products and content.
- Customer Portals: Orders, documents and tickets.
- Management Dashboards: One screen, the numbers that matter.
- Partner Portals: Dealers and suppliers, self-served.

## How Helmsman works
Before a line of code is written, Helmsman answers nine questions with the client's teams: how your teams actually work; how information moves between them; how decisions get made; how approvals happen; how departments interact; where work gets delayed; where data gets duplicated; where people fall back on spreadsheets; where management lacks visibility. Then seven stages:
01. Understand — Sit with your teams. Learn the business, the roles and the day-to-day reality. Output: Process map.
02. Analyse — Map current processes, find the gaps, and agree what the system has to fix. Output: Requirement document.
03. Architect — Decide the structure, the data model, the integrations and how it will scale. Output: Solution architecture.
04. Design — Design screens and flows around the people who will use them every day. Output: Screens and flows.
05. Develop — Build in stages, with working software you can review as it comes together. Output: Working software.
06. Implement — Migrate data, train users, and roll out department by department. Output: Live system.
07. Evolve — Support, extend and adapt the system as the business keeps changing. Output: Ongoing support.
Details: https://www.helmsman.in/approach

## Case studies
- [One ERP, from the greenhouse to the ledger](https://www.helmsman.in/work/flower-farm-erp) — A flower farm in East Africa — production, grading, inventory, sales, accounts and HRMS in a single system. Industry: Floriculture & export. Impact: Harvest, rejects and grading become stock, availability and revenue without re-entry — and management sees the farm and the accounts as one picture.
- [Retail billing, and the numbers behind it](https://www.helmsman.in/work/multi-store-retail-pos) — A multi-store electronics retailer in the UAE — point of sale built to run the counter and answer head office. Industry: Multi-store retail. Impact: Head office sees how each store and product line is performing without waiting for a consolidation.
- [One platform, three products](https://www.helmsman.in/work/therapist-matching-platform) — A therapist matching platform in India — client app, therapist panel and the admin system that runs the business. Industry: Mental health. Impact: Clients arrive at a therapist chosen on their own criteria, and the team runs both sides of the marketplace from one admin platform.

## Apps and websites (portfolio)
- [Shadow Map](https://www.helmsman.in/work/security-brigade-shadow-map) for Security Brigade — A redesign of Security Brigade's digital-risk-protection dashboard and internal web app. (Cyber security; Web app, Product design, UX research, UI design).
- [Kypson](https://www.helmsman.in/work/kypson-packaging-app) for Kypson — A mobile app that turns ordering custom packaging into a few guided steps. (Packaging; Mobile app, Product design, UX research, UI design).
- [DocLink](https://www.helmsman.in/work/telemedical-app) for DocLink — A mobile and web app redesign so patients can find a doctor, book and get reminders without friction. (Healthcare; Mobile app, Web app, Product design, UX research, UI design).
- [Panmedical](https://www.helmsman.in/work/doctor-appointment-app) for Panmedical — A healthcare app with two sides — patients book and consult, doctors manage their practice. (Healthcare; Mobile app, Product design, UX research, UI design).
- [Humann](https://www.helmsman.in/work/therapist-booking-app) for Humann — A mental-health app that matches people with the right therapist and makes booking easy. (Mental health; Mobile app, Product design, UX research, UI design).
- [AI Talent Acquisition Platform](https://www.helmsman.in/work) — A web platform that automates job postings, candidate screening and interview evaluation. (HR & recruitment; Web platform, Product design, Development).
- [Aadee](https://www.helmsman.in/work/aadee-pregnancy-parenting-app) for Aadee — A pregnancy and parenting app, redesigned to be warmer and easier to follow. (Health & parenting; Mobile app, App audit, Product design, UX research, UI design).
- [I Do Planner](https://www.helmsman.in/work/i-do-planner-wedding-app) for I Do Planner — One app to plan a wedding — budget, vendors, guests and ideas in one place. (Weddings & events; Mobile app, Product design, UX research, UI design).
- [ArchiLink](https://www.helmsman.in/work/archilink-app) for ArchiLink — File and project management for architects, across every project phase. (Architecture; Mobile app, Tablet app, Product design, UX research, UI design).
- [Tuine](https://www.helmsman.in/work/dating-networking-app) for Tuine — A dating and networking app built on smart matching instead of endless swiping. (Social & dating; Mobile app, Product design, UX research, UI design).
- [Parkease](https://www.helmsman.in/work/parking-app) for Parkease — City-wide parking at your fingertips: find, reserve and pay before you arrive. (Mobility; Mobile app, Product design, UX research, UI design).
- [Citizen Help Desk](https://www.helmsman.in/work/citizen-help-desk-app) — A city and township help-desk app, redesigned so residents can reach civic services quickly. (Civic services; Mobile app, Product design, UX research, UI design).
- [Mobile banking app](https://www.helmsman.in/work/mobile-banking-app) — A banking app rethought around clear navigation, budgeting and nudges to save. (Banking & finance; Mobile app, App audit, Product design, UX research, UI design).
- [Raniwala](https://www.helmsman.in/work/raniwala-jewellery-website) for Raniwala — A website for a heritage bridal jewellery house, as rich on a phone as on a desktop. (Bridal jewellery; Website design, Development).
- [Zeff](https://www.helmsman.in/work/zeff-jewellery-ecommerce) for Zeff — An e-commerce store for fine jewellery that lets the pieces take centre stage. (Fine jewellery; E-commerce, Website design, Development).
- [Little by Little](https://www.behance.net/gallery/230310515) for Little by Little — An e-commerce store for jewellery, accessories, apparel and gifting. (Accessories & gifting; E-commerce, Website design, Development).
- [The Chic Indian](https://www.helmsman.in/work/the-chic-indian-ecommerce) for The Chic Indian — A fashion e-commerce site with an editorial, monochrome look. (Fashion; E-commerce, Website design, Development).
- [Blissful Being](https://www.helmsman.in/work/blissful-being-ecommerce) for Blissful Being — An online store for wellness products and essential oils. (Wellness; E-commerce, Website design, Development).
- [Navdhan](https://www.behance.net/gallery/231042611) for Navdhan — An online store for a sprouted-grain flour brand. (Food & grocery; E-commerce, Website design, Development).
- [Copper Crush](https://www.helmsman.in/work/copper-crush-website) for Copper Crush — A business and e-commerce site for an art and interior design atelier. (Art & interiors; E-commerce, Website design, Development).
- [Shepherd's Knight](https://www.helmsman.in/work/law-firm-website) for Shepherd's Knight — A corporate website for a legal and strategic consultancy. (Legal; Corporate website, Website design, Development).
- [Birch Swing Group](https://www.helmsman.in/work/birch-swing-group-website) for Birch Swing Group — A website for an investment group that scales established businesses. (Investment; Corporate website, Website design, Development).
- [Bridgewater AG](https://www.helmsman.in/work/bridgewater-ag-website) for Bridgewater AG — A website for an investment firm that puts investors first. (Investment; Corporate website, Website design, Development).
- [MAAT](https://www.behance.net/gallery/231394779) for MAAT — A website for an investment business, designed in Figma and built on Webflow. (Investment; Corporate website, Website design, Development).
- [Bankai Labs](https://www.behance.net/gallery/230312269) for Bankai Labs — A website for a deep-tech lab building AI tools for banking. (AI & banking R&D; Corporate website, Website design, Development).
- [Bankai Compositech](https://www.behance.net/gallery/230311259) for Bankai Compositech — An industrial website for a composites manufacturing and engineering company. (Manufacturing; Industrial website, Website design, Development).
- [Aneeta Packaging](https://www.helmsman.in/work/aneeta-packaging-website) for Aneeta Packaging — A website for a packaging exporter that wants to be its buyers' first call. (Packaging export; Corporate website, Website design, Development).
- [QAPITOL QA](https://www.behance.net/gallery/231041655) for QAPITOL QA — A website for a quality engineering and software testing consultancy. (Software testing; Corporate website, Website design, Development).
- [Humann India](https://www.behance.net/gallery/230312601) for Humann India — A website for a mental-health and wellness brand. (Wellness; Website, Website design, Development).
- [IMAGINXT](https://www.behance.net/gallery/231043065) for IMAGINXT — A website for an experiential events and media company. (Events & media; Corporate website, Website design, Development).
- [Shree Shakti Cargo](https://www.behance.net/gallery/231319163) for Shree Shakti Cargo — A website for a cargo and shipment delivery company. (Logistics; Corporate website, Website design, Development).
- [Baesic Fit](https://www.behance.net/gallery/231392799) for Baesic Fit — A website for a modern nutrition and wellness brand. (Nutrition & wellness; Website, Website design, Development).
- [Ideas In Pixel](https://www.behance.net/gallery/231394175) for Ideas In Pixel — A website for a SaaS company. (SaaS; SaaS website, Website design, Development).
- [Venture & Prosper](https://www.behance.net/gallery/231396883) for Venture & Prosper — A website for a SaaS company helping founders build what matters. (SaaS; SaaS website, Website design, Development).
- More on Behance: https://www.behance.net/Helmsman-Consultancy

## Insights (plain-language guides)
- [When should a business stop running on Excel?](https://www.helmsman.in/insights/when-to-stop-running-your-business-on-excel) — When the same figure is typed into more than one sheet, when month-end takes days of reconciling, or when only one person understands the file, the spreadsheet has become the business's bottleneck. Move the one process that hurts most into a proper system first — not everything at once.
- [Custom ERP or ready-made software: how to decide](https://www.helmsman.in/insights/custom-erp-vs-ready-made-software) — Choose ready-made software when your process is standard and you are happy to work the way the product works. Choose a custom system when the way you work is part of your edge, when you run several entities or unusual flows, or when your team already lives on workarounds to make a product fit.
- [How a custom software project runs, stage by stage](https://www.helmsman.in/insights/how-a-custom-software-project-runs) — A custom software project runs in seven stages: understand, analyse, architect, design, develop, implement and evolve. The first two — mapping how your business really works and writing down what the system must do — decide whether the other five are worth anything.
- [What does it mean to connect your software?](https://www.helmsman.in/insights/what-system-integration-means) — Connecting your software means making your tools pass information to each other automatically, so something entered once — an order, a payment, an attendance punch — updates every other system that needs it. It removes re-typing, the errors that come with it, and the wait for reports.
- [Five questions to ask before buying any business software](https://www.helmsman.in/insights/questions-to-ask-before-buying-business-software) — Before buying business software, ask whether it does exactly what you need, whether growth is a setting or a project, whether the vendor is reachable, whether reports still need building by hand, and whether the data stays yours. A "no" to any one usually means the software will cost more time than it saves.

## Frequently asked questions
### What does Helmsman do?
Helmsman Consultancy builds software for businesses: the systems that run your operations (ERP, CRM, HRMS), automation that connects your tools, and the apps, websites and SaaS products your customers use. It is based in Ahmedabad, India.
### Custom software or a ready-made product?
Custom. Helmsman builds around the way you already work, so you never have to change your business to fit the software.
### How does a project start?
With your business, not with code. We sit with your teams, map how work actually moves, and agree a requirement document before anything is built.
### What are the stages of a project?
Seven: Understand, Analyse, Architect, Design, Develop, Implement and Evolve. The first two decide whether the other five are worth anything.
### Can you connect the software we already use?
Yes. We make your existing tools talk to each other, so an order typed once updates billing, stock and reports on its own.
### Which industries do you work with?
Manufacturing, trading, retail, services, healthcare, education, jewellery, finance and consumer brands, in India and overseas.
### Where is Helmsman based?
In Ahmedabad, India, at A-603 Shapath Hexa. We work with clients in India and overseas. Call +91 94086 64922 or email contact@helmsman.in.
### Is our information kept confidential?
Yes. We sign an NDA on every project, which is why our case studies don't name the client.
### What happens after the system goes live?
We stay on: supporting, extending and adapting the system as your business changes.
### How can we work with you?
As a full custom build, a modernisation of old software, a product we design and build, a dedicated team, or consulting. Every engagement starts with an agreed SLA.

## Optional
- [Full details: every service, case study, industry and answer](https://www.helmsman.in/llms-full.txt)