So, indeed this is turning out to be an interesting day in the GeoTech World; no, I’m not talking about TerraGo’s acquisition of Geosemble Technologies (but that did actually happen), and no I’m not speaking about the Microsoft buyout of Perceptive Pixel (think large-scale, multi-touch display solutions) , but rather, I refer to the Esri GeoIQ announcement.

There’s no doubt in my mind that this one likely floored a ton of people, particularly the often vocal, social, neo types and the hard code GeoGeek community – as well as yours truly!

One reason for the surprise is that popular, head honchos at GeoIQ, Sean Gorman and Andrew Turner have often been quite critical and vocal regarding the “traditional” commercial offerings and solutions from the likes of big-time GIS solutions providers, in particular, Esri – In his blog post, James Fee discusses that topic at great length.   The official PR from Esri doesn’t actually use the term buyout, sale, or acquisition at any time (both companies are privately held so really they don’t have to say anything at all), rather, the deal was described officially as GeoIQ joining Esri – I have to think that this was carefully done for some reason, although I’m a little fuzzy as to why at this time.

For many of us, when thinking of the D.C based team that developed GeoIQ we also think of GeoCommons, however, there’s no real mention of GeoCommons in the official announcement at all so I’m guessing that more on that will roll out in time perhaps. In his blog post, Gorman does discuss GeoCommons and the merging of the two company’s technologies. Gorman also mentioned this… GeoCommons data will continue to stay open and available and we’re planning to make it even more accessible.

What Esri is getting is a pile of talent in a crew of hard-core, forward thinking, innovative GeoGeeks. From Esri… GeoIQ staff will join Esri at a new software development center located in Washington, D.C. and extend the ArcGIS platform with special emphasis on federal government clients in the areas of self-service mapping, analytics, big data, content streaming and social media.

For the official blurb from Sean Gorman at GeoIQ be sure to read his blog post, Building From the Inside; GeoIQ Joins Esri

Some Key Points About The Deal:

• integrating our technology and extending the Esri platform
• Esri’s approach to `GIS for Everyone’ is transformational in the industry and is very closely aligned with GeoIQ’s vision
• GeoIQ staff will join Esri at a new software development center located in Washington, D.C.
• special emphasis on federal government clients in the areas of self-service mapping, analytics, big data, content streaming and social media
• Since 2007 more than 50,000 users have contributed over 125,000 open data sets to GeoCommons, which have been shared 20 million times
• The team in the development center will focus on engineering core technologies for Esri, leveraging GeoIQ’s expertise in working with open data and technology communities, as well as real time and large data analytics
• GeoCommons and GeoIQ customers will continue to be supported as we integrate the capabilities of ArcGIS Online and GeoIQ into a next generation platform

I can’t figure out how we all didn’t see this one coming! Wow… 

Suggested Reading:

• From James Fee @cageyjames on the Spatially Adjusted blog (James may be off of Sean Gorman’s Christmas card list for this blunt post ;0) – Esri Eliminates GeoIQ
• On the MapBrief blog, Brian Timoney chimes in with his own thoughts and comments that small business needs to be niche or they need to be Esri in order to survive!  It’s Never Been Harder to Make Money in GIS: The Sobering Economic Backdrop to the ESRI/GeoIQ Deal
• Ex Esri-er and now founder & CSO of SkyGone Inc. Ryan Hughes @ryhug has an interesting article, in Jim Cramer style, on the deal and offers kudos to GeoIQ and Esri on a deal that he feels makes loads of sense and will be a win-win – Esri ArcGIS.com moves from “SELL” up to “HOLD” status with GeoIQ acquisition
• Bill Dollins chimes in on the GeoMusings blog commenting that This acquisition/merger makes more sense than may be initially apparent – mainly because GeoCommons is everything that ArcGIS.com should be! Read the GeoMusing blog post on GeoIQ/Esri Deal HERE
• Search Twitter for more on the deal for some lively discussion