Pear Technology Services

What Pear Technology Services does

Pear Technology Services Ltd is a privately held UK GIS software vendor founded in 1995 by John Cowling in Hampshire, serving rural estates, arboricultural professionals, and UK local councils. The company's product portfolio centres on PearGIS and PT-Mapper (desktop GIS platforms that link Ordnance Survey MasterMap data with customer spreadsheets and databases), supplemented by mobile data capture (PocketGIS, the acquired OTISS Android system), tree management modules (TreeMinder), a web-based cemetery record search product (Cemetery Searcher), and an e-commerce portal for OS MasterMap data (Pear Map Shop). It sells rugged GNSS/GPS hardware from Trimble, Panasonic, and Getac, alongside custom map preparation services and training.

The business model combines one-time perpetual software licences (single-user and site) with mandatory annual technical support and software update subscriptions, plus recurring OS data supply, hardware resale, and bespoke mapping services. Revenue is generated through direct sales (phone, email, website downloads, on-site demos), UK trade show presence across Cereals, APF Exhibition, Arboricultural Association events, NALC conferences, and Confor Woodland Show, and referral partnerships with NALC, GeoXphere/Parish Online, Landmark Systems, and Edge IT Systems. Ordnance Survey Licensed Partner status since 1995 is the structural foundation of the offering. The company is led by Managing Director Chris Makin following founder John Cowling's retirement around 2015 and currently operates from Portsmouth with 1–10 employees, having relocated to larger offices in July 2025.

Name

Pear Technology Services

Legal name

Pear Technology Services Ltd

Website

https://peartechnology.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

GIS Mapping Software for Land and Asset Management

NAICS

Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (541370)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAMANAK

GIS & Spatial Data Management Platforms

Business & Public Services/Web, Mobile & Digital Platforms/Maps, Location & Navigation Platforms

SECONDARYAFAMAKAG

Timberland GIS, Remote Sensing & Data Analytics

Agriculture & Food Production/Forestry & Logging/Timberland Management Services

SECONDARYAFAAAFAF

Decision Support & Agronomic Modeling (Yield, Irrigation, Pest/Disease Forecasting)

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Equipment & Technology/Precision Agriculture & Farm Management Software (GIS, IoT, Telematics)

Keywords

• GIS mapping software
• Land asset management
• Arboricultural surveying
• Council mapping solutions
• Ordnance Survey data

Headquarters

HQ city

Havant

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Software Licences: Pear Technology sells software licences for PearGIS, PT-Mapper, MapLink, TreeMinder, and PocketGIS. Single user licences permit installation on one computer for one authorised end-user, with permission available for a second device upon request. Site licences allow unlimited installations at a single location. Software is provided as a licence agreement, not a sale — the company retains ownership of the software.
2. Annual Technical Support and Software Update Service: Annual renewable support service providing software updates, bug fixes, and technical support by telephone, email, and remote access during business hours. Major new features may require additional upgrade fees. This is a mandatory component for customers on payment plans.
3. Ordnance Survey Map Data Supply: Supply of OS mapping data including MasterMap Topography Layer, Vector Map Local, and other OS data products. Data is invoiced annually for ongoing subscriptions or on a one-off basis where data is destroyed after use. Subject to Ordnance Survey End User Licence terms.
4. Map Preparation Services: Custom map preparation services including cemetery mapping, council asset mapping, and rural estate mapping. Maximum two drafts included; additional drafts charged at hourly rate. Errors and omissions by Pear Technology are fixed free of charge.
5. Hardware Sales: Sale of rugged GPS/GNSS data capture equipment including Trimble, Panasonic Toughpad, Getac T800, and Getac Z710 devices. Hardware must be paid for before despatch.
6. Training Services: On-site and remote training services for software products. Group training days available for minimum five trainees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Pear Technology Services develops and sells GIS mapping software and mobile field data capture solutions for the UK rural, arboricultural, and local government sectors. The portfolio centres on PearGIS (desktop GIS) and PT-Mapper (land/asset management), complemented by the OTISS Android-based tree and asset inspection system, Pear Map Shop (Ordnance Survey data portal), and ancillary modules such as TreeMinder, MapLink, PocketGIS, and Cemetery Searcher. The company also supplies rugged GPS/GNSS hardware and provides professional mapping and training services.

Product overview

Pear Technology Services provides an integrated portfolio of GIS mapping software and services targeting the UK rural, arboricultural, and local government sectors. The core platform consists of PearGIS (desktop GIS package) and PT-Mapper (land/asset management application), supplemented by mobile solutions (PocketGIS), specialized modules (TreeMinder, MapLink, Cemetery Searcher), and the acquired OTISS Android-based tree survey system. The Pear Map Shop online platform provides Ordnance Survey MasterMap data integration. The company also offers GNSS/GPS hardware and professional mapping services including cemetery, rural, and council asset mapping. The product ecosystem is unified through shared data formats and integrations with Ordnance Survey data, what3words location services, and Landmark Systems KEYPrime ERP.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PearGIS: Powerful, user-friendly GIS mapping software for creating intelligent, data-rich maps connecting spreadsheet and database information to map features.
• PT-Mapper
• MapLink
• OTISS
• TreeMinder
• PocketGIS
• Pear Map Shop
• Cemetery Searcher

Products and services

• PearGIS Powerful, user-friendly desktop GIS package that transforms maps into intelligent, data-rich assets by connecting spreadsheet or database information directly to map features. Aimed at rural estates, arboricultural professionals, councils, and property managers who need informed decisions about land, trees, and property.
• PT-Mapper Core application for managing land and assets through the power of maps, providing key GIS functions at a lower cost. Brings user data together with agency data (e.g., RPA boundaries, OS data) for effective decision-making across rural, arboricultural, and council use cases.
• MapLink Mapping software tool with drawing tools, data verification capabilities, and off-screen drawing applied to improve stability when adding points and themes. Sold to councils and local authorities as a complement to PearGIS and PT-Mapper.
• OTISS (Tree and Asset Inspection System) Web-based and mobile (Android) tree and asset inspection system that enables efficient on-site surveys using customised forms and integrated GPS/GNSS, with centralised data management, reporting, and collaborative working for arboricultural consultants, estate managers, and local authorities.
• Pear Map Shop Online portal enabling customers to preview, price, and purchase Ordnance Survey MasterMap Topography Layer data for use with Pear Technology software. Integrated into OTISS for in-workflow purchasing.
• Cemetery Searcher Online cemetery map and search facility enabling the public to search digitised burial records and locate graves or memorials on a digital map, including GPS locate functionality for smartphones.
• Rugged GNSS/GPS Hardware Rugged GPS/GNSS handheld and tablet devices from manufacturers such as Trimble, Panasonic Toughpad, and Getac, supplied for use with PearGIS, PT-Mapper, OTISS, and PocketGIS for accurate field data capture.
• Rural Mapping Services Professional mapping services for rural estates, farms, and land agencies, including farm and estate mapping, land agency support, and integration with government datasets such as RPA field boundaries for BPS claims.
• Cemetery Mapping Services Specialist mapping service that digitises cemetery maps and burial records for councils, with options for aerial imagery and online map hosting through Cemetery Searcher.
• Council Mapping Solutions Tailored mapping solutions package for councils and local authorities, combining software licences (PearGIS, PT-Mapper, Cemetery Searcher), map preparation services, and user training to manage assets, cemeteries, allotments, and online interactive maps.

Quantifiable outcome

• Year-on-year turnover growth of 20% achieved for year ending April 2015
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers19 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

Integration4 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Intrinsica Technology (OTISS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023Pear Technology acquired OTISS (Intrinsica Technology) in December 2023, bringing the Android-based tree and asset inspection system into their product portfolio. OTISS provides mobile field data collection with integrated GPS/GNSS, web-based centralised data management, and collaborative working capabilities for arboricultural consultants, estate managers, and local authorities.
• BlueskyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2018Bluesky participated with GeoXphere and Pear Technology in the NALC Digital Mapping Workshop 'Harnessing Local Knowledge' at the NALC Annual Conference in October 2018, promoting digital mapping solutions to local councils.
• GeoXpherecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2018GeoXphere (Parish Online) and Pear Technology entered a partnership agreement in September 2018 to make digital mapping easier and more cost-effective for Local Government. The partnership enables data sharing between Parish Online and Pear systems. Parish Online subscribers gain easier access to Pear services including cemetery mapping, training, tree surveys, and asset collection. Both companies provide impartial advice to councils to ensure they get the right tool for the job.
• NALC (National Association of Local Councils)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018In January 2018, NALC formed a partnership with both Parish Online and Pear Technology to encourage better use of Digital Mapping in Local Councils. NALC recognises that proper use of digital mapping systems improves efficiency and promotes good decision-making. Pear contributed case studies to the NALC Digital Mapping Toolkit and ran workshops at the NALC Annual Conference to spread awareness of digital mapping solutions.
• Ordnance SurveycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 1995Pear Technology have been Licensed Partners with Ordnance Survey since 1995. This is a cornerstone partnership enabling the company to provide the most accurate and up-to-date national mapping data including MasterMap Topography Layer, Vector Map Local, and other OS data products to their customers. The partnership allows them to re-invoice OS data on an annual basis and operate under an Ordnance Survey End User Licence.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• TreePlotter / ArborMetrics Solutions: PlanIT Geo's TreePlotter and ArborMetrics products provide tree inventory and arboricultural management software used by councils and arborists. They are an emerging direct competitor in the arboriculture segment where Pear Technology's TreeMinder and OTISS compete.
• Getmapping: Getmapping is a UK provider of aerial imagery, LiDAR and geospatial data services used by public sector and rural customers. They compete for adjacent budget on mapping data and provide overlapping value to council, estate and arboriculture clients of Pear Technology.
• Bluesky International: Bluesky provides aerial photography, LiDAR and geospatial data products across the UK. They participated alongside Pear Technology at the NALC Digital Mapping Workshop in 2018 and are a complementary data/integration partner that competes for adjacent budget in council mapping projects.

Broad incumbents

• Esri UK: Esri UK is the UK arm of Esri, the global GIS market leader with ArcGIS platform. They serve UK councils, estates and arboriculture clients with a broad, established mapping platform and represent the dominant incumbent against which Pear Technology competes.
• IDOX Group: IDOX is a UK software vendor providing back-office and asset management solutions to local authorities, including mapping and land/property functions. They are a broad incumbent competitor in the UK local government software market where Pear Technology sells its council solutions.
• Trimble (Geospatial): Trimble provides GNSS hardware and geospatial software products, including the rugged devices that Pear Technology resells (Trimble T41). Trimble is a broad incumbent overlapping on hardware and GIS software for surveying and asset management customers.
• Precisely (MapInfo): Precisely owns MapInfo Pro, a long-established desktop GIS platform. As a broad incumbent in the GIS market, MapInfo competes with PearGIS for desktop mapping users in government, utilities and property/asset management segments.

Direct peers

• GeoXphere (Parish Online): GeoXphere operates Parish Online, a UK-focused digital mapping platform for parish and town councils. They are a direct peer in the UK council GIS market and have a mutual referral partnership with Pear Technology, both providing impartial advice to councils.
• Landmark Systems: Landmark Systems provides rural property management software (KEYPrime) integrated with PearGIS for farm and estate management. As an integration partner, they are a direct peer serving overlapping rural/estate customers with complementary management software.
• Cadcorp: Cadcorp is a UK-based GIS software vendor offering desktop and web mapping products to local government, utilities and emergency services. They compete directly with Pear Technology's GIS mapping offering in the UK public sector and share a similar specialist, UK-centric positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PearTechnology
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pear-technology-services-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Pear Technology Services