Gistec
Gistec is Esri's official exclusive distributor in the UAE, providing ArcGIS platform sales, GIS consulting, implementation, training, and support to government, utilities, telecom, and education clients across the UAE and Jordan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersSharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Gistec does
Gistec (legal name: Gulf Survey & Engineering Services - GISTEC) is a UAE-headquartered geospatial technology distribution and professional services firm founded in 1976 and based in Sharjah with offices in Abu Dhabi and Amman. The company operates as Esri's official exclusive distributor in the UAE, providing sales, implementation, training, and tiered technical support (Standard and Extended Premium Support) for the ArcGIS platform family, including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Hub, and ArcGIS developer tools. Beyond Esri, Gistec distributes and integrates complementary vendor solutions covering data integration (Safe Software FME), web/mobile GIS (VertiGIS Studio), thin-client network management (3-GIS), utility GIS (AED-SICAD UT for ArcGIS), telecom network planning (Telcordia, Cellular Expert), spatial data infrastructure (con terra sdi.suite), and geospatial imagery (PCI Geomatica, Drone2Map, ArcGIS Earth, ArcGIS Image Server). It also holds master distribution rights for PCI Geomatics across the broader Middle East.
The company's revenue is generated through three streams: recurring software subscriptions and maintenance resales, professional services (GIS consulting, geodatabase design, geographic imaging, applications development, server/web/mobile GIS implementation, 3D GIS), and training delivered at the Gistec Training Center or on customer premises. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Goto-market is enterprise field sales targeted at government agencies, utilities, telecommunications operators, oil & gas, education institutions, and retail/commercial segments, supplemented by a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) Partner Program for UAE-based resellers and a self-service customer portal (mygistec). Named customers span UAE federal and emirate-level government entities (Dubai Municipality, DEWA, ADSSC, Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, UAE Air Force & Air Defence, GHQ Armed Forces, EIAST, Sharjah Urban Planning Council), Etisalat, universities, and oil companies.
Gistec positions itself through 25+ years of certified Esri expertise, a multi-vendor complementary portfolio, deep government and defense relationships, and an event-driven market presence including the GISWORX conference, EGI Awards, Esri UAE User Conference, GIS Career Forum, Geospatial Scientific Summit, and UAE GIS Site Visits international knowledge exchange program. The leadership team is led by CEO Mohamed Abuziad and CTO/Technical Director/Customer Service Director Saed Abu Helwa, with directors overseeing projects, service delivery, and business development. The company is privately held with no disclosed external funding or institutional investors.
Gistec firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Gistec
- Legal name
- Gulf Survey & Engineering Services - GISTEC
- Website
- https://gistec.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Gistec is Esri's official exclusive distributor in the UAE, providing ArcGIS platform sales, GIS consulting, implementation, training, and support to government, utilities, telecom, and education clients across the UAE and Jordan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Gistec industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Geospatial Software Solutions
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- GIS & Spatial Data Management Platforms (BPAMANAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Geospatial BI & Location Analytics (HDAEAMAK), Location Intelligence, Analytics & Geospatial BI (BPAMANAE), Geospatial Data Management & Enterprise GIS (Geodatabases, Web GIS, Spatial Analytics) (EUAHAKAC)
Keywords
Where Gistec is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sharjah
- HQ country
- United Arab Emirates
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices3 records
Markets served
Gistec business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Product Sales: Reselling Esri software products and related GIS software including ArcGIS licenses, subscriptions, and maintenance renewals
- Professional Services: GIS consulting, database services, geographic imaging, applications development, server/web GIS, 3D GIS, and training services delivered as time and material professional services
- FME and Third-Party Software: Sales and support of FME data integration software, VertiGIS, and other third-party GIS solutions with professional services
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | ArcGIS Online Subscription Plans |
| Subscription | Annual | Standard Support |
| Subscription | Annual | Extended Premium Support (EPS) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | GIS Training |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Gistec product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Gistec is the official Esri distributor in the UAE, providing enterprise-wide geospatial data solutions built on the ArcGIS platform. The company sells and supports ArcGIS software products (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online) alongside third-party geospatial tools (FME, VertiGIS, 3-GIS, AED-SICAD, Cellular Expert, Telcordia Network Engineer, PCI Geomatica), and delivers professional GIS consulting, database services, geographic imaging, applications development, server/web GIS, and certified training.
Product overview
Gistec is Esri's Official Distributor in the UAE offering a comprehensive geospatial solutions portfolio centered on the Esri ArcGIS platform. The core offering includes ArcGIS, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, and ArcGIS Online, supplemented by specialized add-on modules from VertiGIS Studio (web/mobile GIS), 3-GIS Network Solutions (thin client), AED-SICAD UT for ArcGIS (utilities), sdi.suite (spatial data infrastructures), and Esri's specialized products like CityEngine, Defense Mapping, and Production Mapping. For data integration, Gistec offers FME Platform (no-code ETL), while specialized industry solutions include Cellular Expert (wireless network planning) and Telcordia Network Engineer (telecom network planning). Imagery solutions include PCI Geomatica, Drone2Map, ArcGIS Earth, and ArcGIS Image Server. Professional services encompass GIS consulting, database services, geographic imaging, applications development, server/web GIS, training, and tiered technical support (Standard and Extended Premium Support).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- GISWORX: Annual technical workshop and learning event for GIS users providing in-depth training on different aspects of GIS
- EGI Awards
- GIS Career Forum
- Geospatial Scientific Summit
- mygistec
Products and services
- ArcGIS Pro Esri's 64-bit desktop GIS application providing professional 2D and 3D mapping with intuitive interface, advanced visualization, analytics, image processing, data management, and integration capabilities. Targeted at GIS professionals and analysts in enterprises and government agencies.
- ArcGIS Enterprise Server-based GIS platform providing contextual tools for mapping and spatial reasoning to explore data and share location-based insights across organizations. For enterprises deploying on-premises GIS infrastructure.
- ArcGIS Online Cloud-based SaaS platform enabling users to connect people, locations, and data using interactive maps with smart, data-driven styles and intuitive analysis tools. Targeted at organizations needing cloud GIS subscriptions.
- FME Platform No-code data translation and transformation platform enabling integration of spatial data, databases, and business systems. Includes FME Form for desktop workflows and FME Flow for server-based automation. For organizations requiring geospatial data integration.
- VertiGIS Studio Suite of tools extending Esri and ArcGIS applications including Web (2D/3D), Mobile (field data collection), Analytics (real-time data analysis), Reporting, Workflow, Printing, Search, and Access Control. For enterprises extending ArcGIS functionality.
- 3-GIS Network Solutions Thin-client web-based GIS solutions for utility, telecommunication, and emergency/incident management industries. Includes 3-GIS Web, 3-GIS Mobile, 3-GIS Live, and 3-GIS Admin for enterprise asset management.
- AED-SICAD UT for ArcGIS
Quantifiable outcome
- 25+ years of operation in the UAE geospatial market
Companies that use Gistec
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Gistec technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature4 records
Gistec partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- 3-GISmajorBusiness Partner for thin-client web-based GIS solutions for utilities, telecommunications, and local government markets. 3-GIS products include 3-GIS Mobile, 3-GIS Web, and 3-GIS Admin for enterprise asset management.
- EsricoreEsri Official Distributor in the UAE. Gistec is the exclusive authorized distributor of Esri software products including ArcGIS family of products, providing sales, implementation, training, and technical support for Esri solutions in the UAE market.
- PCI GeomaticscoreMaster Distributor for the Middle East for Geomatica software suite and GeoImaging Tools for ArcGIS. Gistec is responsible for marketing, selling, and promoting PCI products across the Middle East, with plans to establish a network of resellers including Saudi Arabia and UAE.
- Safe SoftwaremajorSafe Software Gold Partner in the Middle East offering product sales, technical support, training, and professional services on FME (Feature Manipulation Engine) for data translation and transformation.
- VertiGIS Studio (formerly Geocortex)majorSole authorized reseller of VertiGIS Studio in the UAE. VertiGIS Studio extends Esri and ArcGIS applications with tools for web and mobile GIS, analytics, workflow, printing, and search capabilities.
- AED-SICADminorUtility GIS solutions provider for UT for ArcGIS Product Suite and Land Management solutions for utilities and land management sectors in Europe.
- TelcordiaminorTelcordia Network Engineer for telecom network planning and engineering solutions, providing network management with accurate geospatial representation of telecom infrastructure.
- Latitude GeographicsminorWeb GIS applications development software for ArcIMS and ArcGIS Server, now part of VertiGIS portfolio.
- EIASTminorEmirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology - recognition recipient and event participant in GIS community activities.
- Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA)minorMajor utility customer and partner appreciation award recipient, participates in GIS events and UAE GIS Site Visits programs.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Gistec competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Trimble: Trimble is a broad geospatial technology incumbent spanning hardware (GNSS, surveying) and software platforms used in utilities, telecom, and government. It is comparable because Trimble's geospatial solutions overlap with the same utility/telecom verticals Gistec serves via 3-GIS and AED-SICAD.
- Esri: Esri is the dominant global GIS software publisher and the technology vendor whose ArcGIS platform Gistec exclusively distributes in the UAE. It is comparable because Gistec's entire value proposition is built on being Esri's regional channel — competing indirectly on enterprise influence while partnering on product.
- TomTom: TomTom is a broad incumbent in location technology, maps, and traffic data used by automotive, enterprise, and government customers. It overlaps with Gistec's location intelligence and geospatial data offerings, especially for transportation and urban planning use cases in the UAE.
- Maxar Technologies: Maxar Technologies is a broad incumbent in satellite imagery, geospatial analytics, and space infrastructure serving defense and intelligence customers. It is comparable to Gistec's remote sensing and defense GIS offerings (ArcGIS Defense Mapping, PCI Geomatica) targeting the same UAE defense and government sector.
- Hexagon Geospatial: Hexagon Geospatial is a broad incumbent offering competing enterprise GIS, remote sensing, and location intelligence platforms (ERDAS, GeoMedia, M.App Enterprise) used by government and infrastructure customers. It competes with the Esri stack Gistec resells at the platform level.
- HERE Technologies: HERE Technologies is a broad incumbent in location intelligence, mapping platforms, and geospatial data services. It overlaps with Gistec's location intelligence and enterprise mapping capabilities, particularly for logistics, government, and enterprise use cases.
Emerging players
- Planet Labs: Planet Labs is a leading earth observation and satellite imagery provider whose frequent-revisit imagery is increasingly used by governments for change detection and monitoring. It is comparable as a complementary/competing data layer to the remote sensing capabilities Gistec offers via PCI Geomatica.
- Mapbox: Mapbox is a cloud-native location platform providing maps, navigation, and geospatial APIs used by enterprises and governments. It represents the open/cloud-native alternative to Esri ArcGIS Online that Gistec distributes, making it a strategic comparator on the modern GIS stack.
Direct peers
- Safe Software: Safe Software is the developer of the FME data integration platform and a Gistec channel partner in the Middle East. It is comparable because Safe's FME is a core data-integration product within Gistec's stack, and Safe's own direct enterprise sales motion competes with Gistec's regional implementation services.
- Bayanat: Bayanat is a UAE-headquartered geospatial AI and analytics company listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange that competes with Gistec for the same UAE government and defense geospatial contracts. It is directly comparable as a UAE-based geospatial solutions provider targeting the same enterprise and government buyers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Gistec social profiles
Digital presenceGistec financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Gistec leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Gistec funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Gistec M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Gistec
What does Gistec do?
Gistec is the official Esri distributor in the UAE, providing enterprise-wide geospatial data solutions built on the ArcGIS platform. The company sells and supports ArcGIS software products (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online) alongside third-party geospatial tools (FME, VertiGIS, 3-GIS, AED-SICAD, Cellular Expert, Telcordia Network Engineer, PCI Geomatica), and delivers professional GIS consulting, database services, geographic imaging, applications development, server/web GIS, and certified training.
Is Gistec a public or private company?
Gistec is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Gistec founded?
Gistec was founded in 1976. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Gistec based?
Gistec is headquartered in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East region.
How does Gistec make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Software Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are professional Services and FME and Third-Party Software.
Who are Gistec's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Trimble, Esri, TomTom, Maxar Technologies, Hexagon Geospatial and HERE Technologies. Emerging players are Planet Labs and Mapbox. Direct peers are Safe Software and Bayanat.
Does Gistec have an API?
No public API is recorded for Gistec.
What industry is Gistec in?
Gistec's product category is Geospatial Software Solutions. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMANAK, GIS & Spatial Data Management Platforms, with a secondary code of HDAEAMAK, Geospatial BI & Location Analytics. Its NAICS code is 541511 and its SIC code is 7371.