Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Schomakers, how would you describe Esri Deutschland to someone who has never heard of your company?

Jürgen Schomakers: We are the specialists for the 'where' in data. Our core competence is in the development and provision of geographic information systems that enable companies and organizations to process, analyze, and visualize spatial data. This ranges from classic map creation to complex analyses for location decisions or environmental monitoring.

Wirtschaftsforum: What makes Esri special compared to other IT companies?

Jürgen Schomakers: What really sets us apart is the enormous breadth of our fields of application. As I like to say: If you work in the geo-area, you can actually deal with a new environment every day, from space to underground. We are not a classic IT company that specializes only in a certain area like CRM or ERP. Our customers range from small farms to large insurance corporations, from municipalities to federal agencies.

Wirtschaftsforum: How is Esri Deutschland structured?

Jürgen Schomakers: We are part of a global network, but with a special structure. Unlike many international corporations, Esri has built its global business as a network of medium-sized companies. Esri Germany is an independent GmbH that has been around since 1979. We also own 100% of Esri Switzerland AG. Together we employ 343 employees and expect a turnover of 110 million EUR this year.

Wirtschaftsforum: Esri is often perceived as an IT company. How would you describe your corporate identity?

Jürgen Schomakers: We are indeed active in both worlds - IT and geosciences. This combination fundamentally shapes our understanding of how we operate as a company and the responsibility we carry. As geoscientists, we see every day how much our planet is challenged. When you consider that the world population will grow from 2.5 billion people in 1950 to an estimated 10 billion in 2050, the scale of our task becomes clear. This development will have massive impacts on our planet. As a company dealing with geographic data, we see ourselves as having a special responsibility to contribute to a better understanding of these challenges through our technology.

Wirtschaftsforum: How is this responsibility reflected in your corporate strategy?

Jürgen Schomakers: Sustainability is deeply embedded in our DNA. We have defined three core areas: First, we want to make companies and authorities smarter. Second, we are committed to a sustainable future by helping to better understand and protect our environment. And third, we promote education and awareness for more sustainability. The special value of our work lies in the ability to analyze: By involving comprehensive data early, we can recognize developments before they become problems. Our goal is to enable smart and sustainable decisions through geoinformation.

Wirtschaftsforum: What technological developments will shape the future of Esri?

Jürgen Schomakers: Artificial Intelligence will play a central role. We are already developing our own AI assistants that will enable even deeper insights from geographic data. At the same time, AI will democratize the use of geoinformation, as complex analyses become accessible through simple questions. We remain true to our line: As a private, owner-managed company, we can focus on long-term developments without being subject to financial market pressures.

Wirtschaftsforum: How are you addressing the issue of skilled labor shortage?

Jürgen Schomakers: We introduced a graduate program two years ago specifically targeting university graduates, and it has been very well received. Esri is a strong brand in the geoinformation industry. However, we still need to work on becoming more attractive to professionals outside of the geosciences, as we offer a wide range of perspectives.