Planning is an important first step in any project. Due to the specialized nature of horizontal directional drilling (HDD), factors not included in other applications, like drilling, backreaming, and product pullback, need to be considered because they take place underground and out of sight. Thorough advance planning can mean the difference between success and failure to complete a directional installation, but it takes a considerable amount of time. Time that is not paid for, which makes justifying adequate time for planning very difficult. A flexible, easy-to-use planning and mapping computer system could shorten the amount of time necessary to thoroughly plan a HDD installation. Ditch Witch Subsite Electronics offers a proven method that helps crews plan directional drilling projects, and also records and stores job data for future reference and preparation of as-built maps of completed installations. TMS Plus uses computer-based technology to provide the capability to produce multiple bore plans for the same job based on different units or paths and allows for real-time documentation of bore paths. It also works with Subsite tracking equipment to create a record of the installed bore path and records position of actual product during backreaming process. TMS Plus is adaptable to different international settings and supports five languages, including English, German, French, Spanish and Italian. To plan a bore, the operator enters the base depth and the largest bend radii of either the drill pipe or product to be installed. Other variables could include entry and exit angles, topography changes, and surface and subsurface obstacles. TMS Plus calculates a proposed bore path and advises the crew whether the proposed stake-down location should be changed to successfully drill the pilot hole. Once the operator accepts the bore path plan, a pipe-by-pipe guideline can be printed and used by the drilling crew. Deviations from the plan can be evaluated immediately, and adjustments made as necessary. Bend radius of either the product being installed or of the machine drill pipe is also taken into account with TMS Plus. This helps keep the contractor from damaging both the product being installed and also the drill pipe on the unit. TMS Plus can also compare actual measurements with calculated measurements when drilling to ensure accuracy. During drilling, a laptop computer loaded with TMS Plus can be connected to the drilling unit?EUR??,,????'???s Subsite remote display at the operator station. This allows for real-time comparison of the job?EUR??,,????'???s progress to the planned bore. For mapping, the system processes information transmitted from a downhole Subsite beacon to a Subsite tracker which relays data to TMS Plus through the drilling unit?EUR??,,????'???s remote display. As each new length of drill pipe is added, by pressing the "store" button, TMS Plus records the number of each length of drill pipe as it is installed; time and date; drill head location, depth, roll angle and pitch; beacon temperature, and battery level. Pertinent job information, including a description of the soil conditions, the type and mixture proportions of drilling fluid additives, and types of bits and backreamers used on the job can all be recorded on the map using the text feature. All data is stored with the project map for future reference, which could then be used to prepare as-drilled maps of completed installations, providing a valuable record of the utilities. The ability to provide as-drilled maps is of great benefit to both the contractor and to the utility company. The contractor can use this capability to provide as-drilled maps as a marketing tool to differentiate him from the competition. By providing the utility company with as-drilled maps the contractor is doing his part to make sure that the next person working in the area will be able to find the installation. This is not only a major safety factor, but could save the utility company money in both downtime and locating costs. A big challenge for most contractors was having personnel with the necessary computer skills for today?EUR??,,????'???s bore planning software packages. This seems to be improving at a very rapid rate. Almost everyone in today?EUR??,,????'???s world has had some exposure to computers. The planning and mapping software available today, like TMS Plus, takes only minimal training to operate. For more information, contact Ditch Witch Worldwide Headquarters at (800) 654-6481 or visit www.ditchwitch.com.