Featured Member: CAI Technologies
This week’s featured member CAI Technologies has been a cornerstone of innovation in mapping and GIS services for over four decades. Headquartered in Littleton, the company has grown from its early days of manual drafting to become a leader in digital mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) for municipalities and counties across the United States.
A History of Growth
CAI Technologies was founded in 1985 by Don Butson, Doug Grella, and Mike Shores. The company’s origins trace back to the purchase of a parcel mapping division from a firm called CT Mail, with just 81 original clients. Today, CAI serves nearly 750 local and regional governments, with most located in New England but with a growing presence in other regions, including clients as far away as Sitka, Alaska, Georgia, and Mississippi.
Franco Rossi, President of CAI Technologies, explained the company’s steady success:
“We’ve had continuous growth for 40 years. We’ve always come out of the year with more clients than when we went in.”
CAI’s reputation has been built on consistent service and dedication to municipal clients. Rossi credits the company’s founders with creating the foundation for this long-term success.
“Without that foundation that the original founders set up, I mean, we’re standing on their shoulders. They started it from scratch when it was tough, and it gave us a springboard and an ethic that has really paid off.”
From Mylar to Digital
The company’s work has evolved dramatically since its early days. Rossi began as a draftsman, creating parcel maps by hand using ink on mylar sheets. By the late 1980s, CAI was an early adopter of digitization, transitioning from manual drafting to digital files.
“By 1988 or 1989 we started digitizing the maps. They were still manually compiled, but they were drafted digitally instead of ink on mylar,” Rossi recalled.
Today, the work is fully digital, incorporating aerial imagery, survey data, and record research to compile precise parcel maps. This digital transformation has not only improved accuracy but also enabled new services such as online GIS platforms. Through its AccessGIS service, CAI provides local governments with user-friendly tools to view and query mapping data.
Expanding Partnerships with Engineering Firms
While CAI Technologies has historically focused on municipalities and counties, the company is actively exploring partnerships with engineering firms. Rossi noted that smaller and mid-sized engineering companies often struggle to maintain advanced GIS capabilities, which creates an opportunity for collaboration.
“In fact, we really want to do that, where I’m actually talking to a couple now about the potential of doing so. We see that as an opportunity,” Rossi said. “Particularly the mid to smaller engineering companies, it’s hard for them to devote what they need to for the advanced GIS services.”
He explained that larger national and multinational firms tend to integrate GIS fully into their business. Smaller firms, however, may see GIS as a “necessary evil” rather than a core strength. CAI can step in to provide this expertise, strengthening the engineering firm’s service offerings without requiring them to hire dedicated GIS staff.
Currently, CAI works with an engineering company based out west, serving as their GIS consultant. Rossi sees this as a model for future partnerships.
“That’s something that we’re going to try to spend time on growing in the coming months and year,” he added.
This renewed focus on partnerships could create opportunities for local engineering firms in the Littleton area and beyond. By working with CAI, firms can expand their capabilities while benefiting from CAI’s decades of experience and advanced digital resources.
Commitment to Service
Despite technological changes and national expansion, CAI Technologies remains deeply committed to its roots in New England. The company employs about 25 staff, with its headquarters in Littleton and additional remote staff across the country.
Rossi emphasized that the company’s philosophy has remained steady since its founding.
“We’ve never given up doing reasonable service at a reasonable rate, not getting rich on any one client, and just keep providing the service. And I think that has continued with our staff. We just really have great, dedicated people that are dedicated to our clients, and that’s what pays off in the long run.”
Looking Ahead
As CAI Technologies celebrates more than 40 years in business, the company continues to grow by adapting to new technologies and expanding the ways it supports municipalities and regional governments. Its increasing interest in partnerships with engineering firms presents a promising avenue for collaboration, particularly for smaller firms that could benefit from CAI’s specialized GIS expertise.
With a strong foundation, a track record of steady growth, and a commitment to client service, CAI Technologies remains an important asset to both the Littleton area and the broader GIS community.
