Background

Institute for photogrammetry was established on 16th November 1961 as the first independent institution in Croatia competent for photogrammetric and overall geodetic activities. It was the basis for wider practical application of modern photogrammetry on the territory of Croatia and then photogrammetry - up to that time fostered and developed only in the framework of the Faculty of Geodesy at Zagreb University - became everyday routine. The company started running the business on 1st January 1962 with about seventy employees and about 500 m2 of office space and approximately the same size of warehouse and garage space in Borongajska 71 where it is still located.

As soon as it was established, it started conducting various geodetic activities all over Croatia. Since the network of basic geodetic points was not completely developed at the time, triangulation and levelling activities represented the most significant part of activities at the beginning. However, activities of Institute for photogrammetry very soon spread to new cadastral surveys, land consolidation and applied geodesy, and later on the field of general and thematic cartography, as well as producing data for preserving architectural heritage by methods of terrestrial photogrammetry.

Striving to follow general trend, the company has, since the establishment, been focused on modernization of equipment and development of production procedure. Already in the early 1970ies, Institute for photogrammetry was among the first companies in the region that procured electrooptical distance meters. In this way, the process of conducting terrain geodetic activities was significantly improved. The first electronical computers were also procured and automated data processing was activated soon after that. It was modest at the beginning, but nowadays the level of modern automated data processing relying on qualified experts supported by top quality hardware and software has been achieved.

In the late 1980ies, changes in legislation provided opportunity for privatization of property. The company successfully completed the procedure of property transformation consistent with the law. As a result, it has been transformed into joint stock company with a hundred percent portion of private capital and properly registered on 14th January 1993. The majority out of total number of 98 shareholders - the promoters - were employees, and a small number were former employees of the company.