Dearman

What Dearman does

Dearman Systems, LLC is a privately held vertical software vendor that builds terminal automation and bulk liquids logistics software for midstream, downstream, and bulk liquid storage operators. Founded in 1988 in Tucson, Arizona by Les Dearman — recognized in the industry as the "godfather of terminal automation" — the company was acquired in 2020 by a Houston-based private investment group and now operates with headquarters in Houston. Its platform is built on the Microsoft stack (Windows Server, .NET, SQL Server, Reporting Services) and integrates with more than 30 field devices including Smith Meter, Emerson, Avery, Fairbanks, Toledo, Scully, TransCore, and major PLC brands, enabling automated load authorization, custody transfer measurement, BOL generation, and compliance reporting across truck, rail, marine, and pipeline movements.

The product suite is organized as a platform-plus-modules architecture. The three core products are Terminal Automation (TAS.net for large operations and RTG for small-to-medium operations), LYNX (a self-service customer portal and order management application), and UNITY (a multi-terminal data unification platform). These are complemented by six add-on modules covering EPA RIN compliance, ExSTARS tax reporting, enterprise reporting and BI, inventory management, contracts and invoicing, and an accounting interface. The platform is NTEP certified for legal-for-trade measurement (Certificate # 07-113) and is deployed across 250+ customers, 225+ terminals, and 2,000+ projects on three continents.

Dearman generates revenue through a combination of software licensing/subscriptions (annual contracts for TAS.net, RTG, UNITY, LYNX) plus implementation and professional services, with optional premium technical consulting and 24/7/365 priority support packages. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales targeted at large operators — including Energy Transfer, Enterprise Products, Colonial Pipeline, Kinder Morgan, Keyera, AmeriGas, NGL Supply, Green Plains, and Bluewing Midstream — supported by industry conference presence (ILTA, StocExpo), customer referrals, and free technology assessments. In February 2025 the company released Version 5 of the Terminal Automation & Management Software as a platform modernization, featuring a redesigned UI, 1-week quick implementation, hardware-agnostic deployment, and native ERP/ETRM integrations.

Name

Dearman

Legal name

Dearman Systems, LLC

Website

https://dearmansystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dearman Systems provides terminal automation, data unification, and bulk liquids logistics software to midstream, downstream, and storage operators worldwide, serving 250+ customers across three continents with a Microsoft-stack platform and 30+ hardware integrations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Terminal Automation Software

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Totalizing Fluid Meter and Counting Device Manufacturing (334514)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Oil & Gas Field Machinery & Equipment (3533)

akta.pro primary industry

NGL / LPG Storage & Terminals (Propane, Butane, Ethane, Y-Grade) (EUALAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Process Automation Instrumentation & Control (DCS, Valves, Actuators, Analyzers) (IMAHAHAM), B2B/EDI & Supply Chain Process Automation Platforms (HDAEAHAK), Controls, Monitoring & Condition Management (for Pumps/Compressors) (IMAHANAI), Crude Oil & Condensate Terminals (Tank Farms, Marine/Truck/Rail Loading) (EUALAEAA)

Keywords

• Terminal automation software
• Bulk liquids logistics
• Midstream software platform
• Custody transfer reporting
• Tank terminal management

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses and Subscriptions: Dearman Systems generates revenue through software licensing of their terminal automation platform (TAS.net, RTG), data unification product (UNITY), and order management portal (LYNX). These are typically sold as annual contracts with support packages.
2. Implementation and Professional Services: On-site implementation, configuration, customization, and consulting services. Includes annual remote support packages covering technical support, diagnostics, software updates, bug fixes, and warranty fixes.
3. Premium Technical Consulting: Add-on services for support outside standard contracts, including on-site implementation and troubleshooting for preset, networking, and peripheral issues.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Dearman Systems develops and sells a terminal automation and bulk liquids logistics software platform used by midstream, downstream, and bulk liquid storage operators. The platform integrates field instrumentation (scales, meters, gauges, PLCs) to automate load authorization, product movement, measurement, custody transfer documentation, and compliance reporting for truck, rail, marine, and pipeline movements. Core products include TAS.net/RTG terminal automation, the LYNX order management portal, and the UNITY multi-terminal data unification platform, supplemented by add-on modules for EPA RIN compliance, ExSTARS tax reporting, enterprise BI, inventory, contracts/invoicing, and accounting integration.

Product overview

Dearman Systems is a platform-plus-modules architecture for terminal automation and unified logistics management in the bulk liquids industry. The core platform consists of Terminal Automation (RTG/TAS.net) for complete terminal management and inventory control, LYNX as a customer-facing self-service portal for order management and nominations, and UNITY for multi-terminal data unification and aggregation. These three core products are complemented by six add-on modules: EPA Compliance (RIN management), ExSTARS & Tax Reporting, Enterprise Reporting & BI, Inventory Management, Contracts & Invoicing, and Accounting Interface. Together, the platform handles truck, rail, marine, pipeline, and tank-to-tank movements for crude oil, NGLs, ethanol, chemicals, asphalt, and refined products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TAS.net: Terminal Automation Software - highly scalable and customizable system for terminal operations
• RTG
• UNITY
• LYNX
• Liquid Commodities Logistics Platform

Products and services

• Terminal Automation (TAS.net / RTG) Complete terminal management and inventory reporting software for truck, rail, marine, and pipeline movements. Features include load authorization, automated BOL generation, inventory management, multi-position blending control, railcar handling, integrated RIN generation/tracking, ExSTARS 4030 EDI reporting, TWIC interface integration, and reporting via Microsoft Reporting Services. Sold to bulk liquid storage terminal operators, midstream companies, and downstream enterprises. TAS.net is the highly scalable enterprise variant while RTG is the remote-installed variant for small to medium operations.
• LYNX Order Management Portal Self-service customer portal and order management application connecting terminal operators, position holders, and customers. Features real-time order tracking, self-service administration, carrier management, and reporting for truck, rail, and marine (barge) transportation methods. Customers can view real-time inventory, monitor product movements, and manage carriers and administrative information.
• UNITY Data Unification Platform Multi-terminal data aggregation platform that unifies data from all assets to increase access to real-time information and improve reporting across the organization. Used by 20+ companies to unify terminal data into a single system for enterprise use cases.
• Liquid Commodities Logistics Platform End-to-end platform connecting product demand to operations to invoicing in a single data stream, visible in real-time to all stakeholders. Captures product demand, manages operations, handles invoicing, and automates reporting in one place.
• EPA Compliance Module Compliance reporting add-on module for RIN generation, transfer, inventory management, and EPA compliance reporting for obligated parties under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Targeted at ethanol producers and biofuel distributors.
• ExSTARS & Tax Reporting Module Tax inventory system for 720-Terminal Operator and 720-Carrier Summary reporting with IRS compliant reporting, review workflow, and seamless EDI submission. Targeted at terminal operators and carriers requiring tax basis inventory reporting.
• Enterprise Reporting & BI Module Data ingestion and business intelligence add-on module that unifies transaction, volumetric, and operational data from all terminals into a central hub for reporting and insights. Includes Microsoft Power BI real-time analytics integration made commercially available in August 2021.
• Inventory Management Module Comprehensive book and physical inventory reporting add-on module for all liquid products including automated and manual gauging with full product movement tracing. Provides accurate tracking of inventory across all terminals in one place.
• Contracts & Invoicing Module Contract management and automated invoicing add-on module that creates invoices using transactions and pricing for product movement, blending, storage, and other services. Manages contracts across all terminals.
• Accounting Interface Module Automated accounting and auditing data interface add-on module providing access to invoices, inventory, and other relevant information in a unified view with direct system integration to remove manual data entry.

Quantifiable outcome

• Bluewing Midstream grew storage capacity from 50K to 1.5MM bbls while reducing administrative labor costs by approximately $300,000
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration26 records

Feature8 records

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Toptech Systems (IDEX Corporation): Toptech Systems, owned by IDEX Corporation, is a direct competitor offering terminal automation and MultiLoad blending/loading controllers for bulk liquid terminals - competing head-to-head with Dearman's TAS.net and RTG systems across the same oil & gas and chemical terminal customers.
• Smith Meter / AccuLoad (IDEX Corporation): Smith Meter (also IDEX-owned) sells AccuLoad preset controllers and microLoad.net loading software that directly compete with Dearman's terminal automation software; both target truck/rail/marine loading racks at fuel and chemical terminals.
• Daniels Manufacturing (Terminal Automation): Daniels sells DanLoad 6000 loading controllers and terminal automation software (already integrated with Dearman's TAS.net as a legacy device driver), positioning it as a peer in the same bulk liquids loading automation category.

Broad incumbents

• Endress+Hauser: Global instrumentation and process automation supplier offering tank gauging, flow measurement, and terminal-side automation solutions. Overlaps with Dearman's inventory and measurement modules through Varec and broader terminal instrumentation portfolio.
• Honeywell Process Solutions: Honeywell offers Enraf tank gauging, Experion PKS, and terminal management solutions integrated into a broad process automation suite. Competes indirectly with Dearman where midstream customers consolidate onto a single DCS/HMI vendor.
• Emerson Automation Solutions: Emerson's DeltaV DCS and Rosemount tank gauging (including the DL8000 preset controller integrated with Dearman's TAS.net) compete as an integrated automation suite; Emerson increasingly bundles terminal functionality into Plantweb digital ecosystem.
• AVEVA (Schneider Electric): AVEVA, part of Schneider Electric, offers PI System data historians and AVEVA Enterprise SCADA that compete with Dearman's UNITY data unification platform for multi-asset enterprise visibility in midstream and downstream operators.
• Yokogawa Electric: Yokogawa's CENTUM VP DCS and terminal-focused automation solutions serve large midstream/downstream customers, competing with Dearman when customers prefer a single-vendor DCS plus terminal automation stack.
• ABB Process Automation: ABB's System 800xA and process automation portfolio overlaps with terminal automation opportunities in oil & gas midstream, particularly where customers seek integrated electrical, control, and automation scope.
• Rockwell Automation: Rockwell's FactoryTalk suite and Allen-Bradley PLCs (already integrated with Dearman's TAS.net) represent an alternate terminal automation stack; Rockwell increasingly pushes its own software layer above the PLC layer Dearman sits on.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dearman-systems-inc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dearman