MapInfo Corporation
| Company type | Public (until 2007) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Location intelligence software |
| Predecessor | Navigational Technologies Incorporated |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Founder | Laszlo Bardos, Andrew Dressel, John Haller, Sean O’Sullivan |
| Defunct | 2007 |
| Fate | Acquired by Pitney Bowes; rebranded as Precisely in 2019 |
| Successor | Precisely (after acquisition by Syncsort) |
| Headquarters | North Greenbush, New York , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Brian D. Owen (CEO), Matthew Szulik (VP Sales), Doug Finlay (CFO) |
| Products | Desktop mapping software, demographic data sets, internet-based applications |
| Parent | Pitney Bowes (2007–2019), Syncsort (after 2019) |
MapInfo Corporation, initially established as Navigational Technologies Incorporated, was a firm dedicated to location intelligence software solutions. Based in North Greenbush, New York, its range of products encompassed desktop mapping software, demographic data sets, and internet-based applications. The company grew by acquiring other businesses to broaden its software capabilities, data resources, and service portfolio. In 2007, MapInfo was purchased by Pitney Bowes and subsequently rebranded as Precisely after its acquisition by Syncsort in 2019.
History
Founded in 1986 by Laszlo Bardos, Andrew Dressel, John Haller, and Sean O’Sullivan, who were all students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, MapInfo set out to create cost-effective mapping tools for personal computers. Early-stage financing was provided by Michael Marvin, who contributed seed money and business mentorship. The company initially targeted in-car navigation systems but shifted focus to desktop mapping due to technological constraints.
MapInfo's competitors included Strategic Mapping, established by Steve Poizner and acquired by Claritas Worldwide in 1996, as well as ESRI, renowned for its advanced GIS products. The company experienced swift expansion, ranking 23rd on Inc. Magazine’s list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States in 1992.
The firm went public on February 1, 1994. Before the IPO, Marvin acted as chairman, concentrating on achieving cash flow break-even while securing $2 million in funding from Greylock Partners in 1989. Key executives included CEO Brian D. Owen (appointed in 1991), Vice President of Sales Matthew Szulik, and CFO Doug Finlay. The IPO was managed by Robertson Stephens.
On April 19, 2007, Pitney Bowes acquired MapInfo for around $408 million in cash, incorporating it as Pitney Bowes MapInfo Corporation. Later that year, Pitney Bowes also bought Encom Technology, whose offerings like Encom Discover and Encom Engage complemented MapInfo Professional’s portfolio.
By January 2009, MapInfo combined operations with Group 1 Software under the Pitney Bowes Business Insight division. In August 2019, Pitney Bowes divested its software segment—including MapInfo Professional—to Syncsort for $700 million; this business was renamed Precisely in December 2019.
Product history
In 1986, MapInfo introduced the first desktop GIS designed to provide accessible software with low hardware demands. The company developed early mapping tools integrated into Microsoft products, notably a mapping add-in for Microsoft Excel within MS Office 95 that continued through Office 97 and 2000 releases. This collaboration led to the creation of Microsoft’s standalone MapPoint application.
MapInfo also engineered a spatial datablade for IBM Informix and collaborated with Oracle to produce the initial spatial cartridge for Oracle 8i. In 2000, the company partnered with Lucent to create location-based services for mobile devices, thereby extending its presence in wireless Internet offerings.
Acquisition history
- 2007: Encom Technology, specializing in software and data solutions for the mineral exploration and oil industries
- 2007: Graphical Data Capture, delivering applications and consultancy services mainly to UK local authorities, utilities, financial institutions, and insurance companies
- 2005: MarkeTech Systems, Inc., a North Carolina-based firm offering software and data to boost retail bank branch sales and profitability
- 2005: GeoBusiness Solutions Limited, a UK company focused on location analytics and modeling services
- 2004: Southbank Systems, provider of asset management solutions to local governments and utility companies throughout the UK, New Zealand, Australia, and the Asia-Pacific region
- 2003: Thompson Associates, a top consultancy specializing in retail site selection
- 2000: Compusearch Inc., Canadian firm supplying micro-marketing segmentation and market analysis software
- 1998: On Target Mapping, a telecommunications mapping service based in Pittsburgh
- 1997: The Data Consultancy (formerly URPI), a UK partner offering market analysis and data product expertise
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Companies based in New York (state)
- GIS software companies
- American companies established in 1986
- Software companies established in 1986
- 1986 establishments in New York (state)
- Defunct software companies of the United States
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment