Founded in 1977, Offshore Systems has played an integral role in precise positioning and navigation solutions in the maritime industry. The company's work dates back to the development of an electronic positioning system for use by oil exploration companies and has expanded to marine customers in the military and commercial markets.

In 1979, Offshore Systems introduced the first generation electronic chart system for the maritime market and revolutionized navigation. The first product, the PNS (Precise Navigation System), was first to combine rudimentary graphical display with core positioning algorithms for use by oil exploration companies in the Beaufort Sea – long before the introduction of Global Positioning System (GPS).

In 1984, the company launched the second generation electronic chart system, PINS 9000 (Precise Integrated Navigation System 9000). It combined a leading colour chart display with own-ship and advanced positioning algorithms. The PINS 9000 systems were sold to Canadian commercial companies including Chevron Oil, International Submarine (ISE), Marine Atlantic and Ontario Northlands. Government customers for PINS 9000 included the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian Navy, Canadian Coast Guard, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and Canadian Defence Research Establishments.

During 1991 to 1997, Offshore Systems delivered the third generation electronic chart system, ECPINS^® (Electronic Chart Precise Integrated Navigation System) based on the VxWork Operating System and running on VME hardware baseline. It offered a high resolution electronic chart display and industry first Radar Image Overlay with own-ship precise positioning.

In 1993, the company achieved a milestone when Canada Steamship Lines standardize on ECPINS for its commercial fleet. Over 75 ECPINS were sold to commercial carriers in the Great Lakes – enhancing navigation safety with a positive impact on the bottom line. Commercial customers (1993-1997) include more recently Teekay Shipping, INCO, Peter Döhle, Canada Steamship Lines, Algoma Central Marine, Upper Lakes Shipping, American Steamship and Olgebay Norton. Today, customers from all over the world depend on ECPINS as a comprehensive tool to navigate the sea, even in the harshest conditions.

Since 1998, Offshore Systems has been providing its 4th generation ECPINS running on Win32 platforms and COTS (Commercial Off the Shelf) hardware to its worldwide customers. ECPINS is a certified IMO (International Maritime Organization) Compliant ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System).

The majority of Offshore Systems ECPINS VME customers have upgraded to the 4th generation product plus the addition of Teekay Shipping, INCO, Peter Döhle and Canada Steamship Lines.

ECPINS is the most advanced IMO ECDIS with full military functionality available today. As a result, ECPINS is the Fleet Standard for the Canadian Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal Danish Navy and Portuguese Navy. It is also in use within the United States Navy and Norwegian Navy. The international deployment of ECPINS means not only safer ships and more effective missions but also full interoperability between allied fleets.

Emerging Products
In 2003, Offshore Systems introduced a new product, COP-IDS® (Common Operational Picture – Image Display Server) aimed at international fleets’ increasing requirement to operate from and share common tactical data in the field. It allows customers to share data across command and control systems, regardless of which applications are in use.

In 2006, Offshore Systems continued the tradition of providing key products to the maritime industry, with the S-VDR 5000 (Simplified Voyage Data Recorder). The new product places Offshore Systems in a strategic and opportune position as new IMO Standards require all cargo vessels operating in international waters to carry an S-VDR.