1980
Desktop PCs begin to become sufficiently capable to support business applications. At this time managing large data sets was very challenging and the movement of data was through the use of floppy disks in the post.
1984
Geoplan established and hand digitised the First National Digital Postcode Boundary set in partnership with the Royal Mail. The original file was so large that it was managed on a mainframe held at Birkbeck College, London.
The original project was managed by a former director of the Ordnance Survey, David Rhind. The output from this project was fundamentally in creation of the WHERE Book which brought together Postcode and Census information.
This book was published by The Regional Newspaper Advertising Bureau (RNAB) under the guidance of Jim Penny. Its purpose was to support the sales of newspaper advertising based on spatial analysis and as such is an early forerunner to the current cloud based analysis offerings provided by Geoplan.
1985
First version of Microsoft Windows released.
1986
Geoplan UK purchased.
Move into our first building on Regent Parade, Harrogate.
Geoplan (UK) Ltd, Market Profiles Ltd and MWT Ltd group forms.
STP, our first mapping software was created.
1989
John Taylor (current MD) joins Geoplan.
1990
John Taylor buys Geoplan.
1990
Geoplan enter into a joint venture and supply agreement with both Royal Mail and Ordnance Survey (OS). Geoplan become the recognised industry standard for Postal Geography in the UK and as such are the sole supplier to Royal Mail in support of their postal operations.
1990
Tactician/Geoplan Partnership - Based in Boston, USA, Tactician appointed Geoplan as its European Product Development and Marketing partner for business focussed desktop mapping systems.
1990
Geoplan Postcode Sector boundary data used in the design and build of Ordnance Survey AddressPoint.
1991
Geoplan launch a full national range of printed Postcode Wallmaps.
1995
Geoplan published its first national Postcode Atlas Book.
1995
Augmented and Virtual reality developed.
1995
The “group” became known as Yellow Marketing Information Ltd 1995 - 2005.
1995
Learning Resource Centre created at Regent Parade.
1996
Geoplan publish a unique Marketing Directory that allows businesses to locate, quantify and target customers by Postcode. using demographics, business profiles and media coverage.
1997
DVD invented.
1997
Geoplan work with Yell, to extend the original single user project secured in 1994, to a business-wide mapping solution, designed to support strategic Sales Team Operations, Key Account planning and Point of Sale Media sales tools.
1998
Google launched.
1998
Geoplan takes its first steps into software design releasing its Atlas Mapping Software range with a focus on ease of use for business customers at a sensible price.
1999
Geoplan Secure Contract to Build OS Codepoint Polygons.
2000
Move into Bilton Court - current UK home of Geoplan.
2000
Millenium Bug.
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2001
New Geoplan Marketing Directory and Atlas combined. Taking the best, from our 1995 and 1996 publications.
2001
Apple iPod and iTunes.
2002
First accredited to the Investors in People (IIP) National Standard and have maintained our commitment to the IIP framework since then. Reinforces the importance of our staff and how we improve performance through the management and development of our people.
2002
First accredited with ISO 9001 and have since retained to date. Sought so that we develop efficient processes and deliver consistently high quality outcomes.
2003
Geoplan turnover reaches £1.29m.
2004
TomTom releases first generation of Satnav devices.
2004
One of only 1500 companies in the UK to be accredited with Tick IT and have retained to date. Achieved so that we develop high quality software and data solutions.
2005
Geoplan move to Digital Printing of Maps. Organisational Development Work, Operational Framework and High Performing Teams - Journey starts.
2005
Large Format High Resolution Digital Printing.
2005
Google Maps launched.
2006
Geoplan pilot the Investors in People’s Leadership and Management Model and win National Training Award.
2007
Geoplan designed SKiN (Spatial Knowledge iNterface) and began in-house build. This product represented the first step into web based software development and continues to underpin our current product suite.
2007
PostCOMM Zonal Pricing Review – RMG/TNT Post
2008
Streetfinder Desktop released. Designed to support the door to door industry delivering improved targeting based on demographics.
Geoplan turnover reaches £1.62m.
2009
Geoplan win 10 year contract to supply Google with its market leading Postcode Boundary products for the UK. Google use Geoplan in support of all UK search capabilities for their platform.
2009
Geoplan secure a global contract with TNT Express, to create a new “zonal” delivery structure and mapping system in support of Depot/vehicle utilisation, planning and routing for 50 countries worldwide.
2010
Ordnance Survey Open Data Initiative. A fundamental change to access and price of data.
2010
Shire Pharmaceuticals engage Geoplan to build an online Mapping system, using industry brick geography, for integration into existing ERP/BI systems. The goal for the system was to support demand mapping and targeted sales activity for nominated Shire pharma product and customer segments.
2010
Geoplan win large Hermes cloud based Route Management System Project.
Geoplan launches all new Territory Optimisation capability designed to allow customers to build sales territories based on customer distribution and balance on workload and opportunity.
2010
First iPad released - A new platform for Geoplan to deliver its products and services to.
2010
Achieved Investor in People Gold Status in December 2010.
2010
ISO 14001 Accredited since 2010 and retained to date. Achieved so that our business operates in an environmentally efficient way and contributes to the environmental efficiency of our customers, suppliers and our people.
2011
Became a Microsoft Partner and have retained since then. Allows us to maintain developer skills at the leading edge, ensuring environments and capabilities deliver high quality solutions.
2011
We had the honour of being accepted as an Investor in People Champion. We are proud to maintain this status.
2011
Geoplan partner with ThinkGeo in Dallas, USA to further the core mapping capabilities of SKiN and add developer resource to its internal team.
2011
Geoplan engage with Smith Institute to develop bespoke territory and route optimisation algorithms, as a backbone to improved territory optimiser and the release of a new route optimisation product.
2012
Geoplan invited to speak at Investor in People Awards.
2012
Geoplan secured contract to deliver Yum! International Global Online SaaS. The contract saw Geoplan deliver market assessment and site planning capabilities through the newly launched Site Optimiser to 75 countries worldwide.
Geoplan turnover reaches £1.66m.
2012
Smartphones. Geoplan modified its software in support of this new technology.
2013
Geoplan engage with Answer Consulting in the UK to further the development of its product suite. The partnership lasted over a 2 year period.
2013
Accredited with Tick It Plus and retained to date. Achieved so that we develop high quality software and data solutions.
2013
Designed and built Geoplan SuperPro with Cranfield University – boundary accuracy improved from 1:50 to 1:10k – UK wide
2014
Geoplan secure significant contract to deliver cloud based route optimisation to Parcelforce Worldwide a Market Leading Pick Up and Delivery Company in the UK.
2014
TNT Express commission Geoplan, to transition the original systems and approach delivered in 2009, to the Cloud.
2015
Designed and built DRM – Demand Responsive Matrix – Flexible routing coverage, shifts and waves based on daily demand and FTG
2016
First Accredited with ISO 27001 and have retained since. Helps ensure data security is at the top of our agenda for our customers.
2016
Achieved Cyber Essentials PLU and retained to date. Adds a further level of audit to ensure customer data is safe.
2016
Designed and built PBP – Payment by Postcode method for Owner Driver Fleets and calculation of cost and return on PUDO operations
2017
Further refinement of the territory and route optimisation algorithms in partnership with Smith Institute.
Geoplan turnover reaches £1.84m.
2018
Geoplan secure contract to supply Royal Mail with depot and route optimisation capabilities in support of their increasing move into parcel distribution.
Geoplan’s Research & Development spend reaches £4.03m.
2018
Designed and built VST – Variable Stop Time – Configurable stop or visit time linked to building and work type
2020
Geoplan moves to make its software and data products available through Self-Serve Trial and Purchase for worldwide access.
2020
Designed and built Unit Postcode Polygon Boundary product
2020
COVID Lockdown from March 2020
2020
Geoplan Business Continuity plan initiated in response to COVID. Seamlessly transitioned to and invested in “hybrid working”, whilst maintaining all customer service and quality standards.
2020
Implemented significant AWS cloud infrastructure upgrades, delivering enhanced security, resilience and performance to all of our customers.
2020
Embarked upon a major programme of Platform architecture and Ui/UX design in preparation for the future evolution of the SKIN Mapping Platform.
2021
Extended our People Development focus, with significant investment in the leadership capabilities and technical skills to move Geoplan forwards.
2021
Full office refurbishment and upgrade to support our new way of working.
