This year, we celebrate 30 years of Trakker—a journey that began with a vision to streamline inventory and job management and has since evolved into a comprehensive software solution trusted by businesses across industries. From our beginnings in 1995 to our innovations today, Trakker has been defined by its adaptability and commitment to meeting the ever-changing needs of our customers.
The Early Years (1995 – 1999)
In 1995, Trakker began as a DOS-based inventory tracking and manufacturing job management system known as Job Trakker MMS. Built on a Paradox for DOS database, this early system integrated with QuickBooks, providing users with the ability to export invoices directly into their accounting software. This integration was a game-changer for small businesses, offering a seamless solution for managing inventory and financial records.
By the late 1990s, the shift to modern systems was inevitable, and Trakker transitioned to a Windows-based platform. This transition, built on .NET C# with an MS Access database, ensured that Trakker could support the growing needs of businesses while continuing its integration with QuickBooks. This pivotal step laid the foundation for the advanced features that would follow in the decades to come.
Growth and Expansion (2000 – 2009)
The first decade of the 21st century saw Trakker expand its capabilities and solidify its place in the industry. During this time, we introduced tools that allowed businesses to adopt cutting-edge technologies like Windows Mobile laser scanners, enabling faster and more accurate job tracking in manufacturing and shop environments using barcoding to track job details.
Through the use of new communication technology and XML we were now able to offer multi-site support for Trakker between remote locations. Initially done as a dial up asynchronous solution that eventually became a full internet on-line solution.
In 2005, Trakker began working with Zee Medical distributors to migrate their legacy UNIX-based and Telxon based systems to modern Windows-based platforms. This was a turning point in showcasing our ability to deliver customized solutions for route sales and industry-specific challenges. Our mobile solution not only updated the office every few minutes with the latest sales details, but if the newly expanding mobile internet (1 G network) was not accessible, they reps could still do all of their work in the field and when it became available again, it would automatically update the office. This was unheard of capabilities at the time.
By the mid-2000s, our barcode order creation capabilities attracted the attention of larger enterprises, including Central Grocers, the largest grocery distributor in the United States at the time. Enhancements to Trakker’s system were developed to meet the complex needs of the grocery distribution centers, proving that our software could scale with enterprise-level operations.
This period also saw Trakker extend its reach into new industries, such as HVAC businesses, where we introduced tools for GPS Tracking and Appointment Scheduling, so easy your kids could do it, alongside the inventory and invoice management. These innovations reflected our growing understanding of diverse customer needs, setting the stage for even more advancements in the years ahead.
Most of this was before the term App was even a word. The first iPhone was not released to the market until 2007 and Android in late 2008.
Innovation and Integration (2010 – 2019)
As technology advanced, so did Trakker. This era marked a significant push toward integration and flexibility. We expanded Order Trakker to cater to sales and distribution businesses in industries like fasteners and industrial supplies. The rise of smartphones and mobile platforms led us to convert all Windows Mobile apps to Android, ensuring that Trakker stayed relevant and accessible to a broader user base.
The introduction of SMART Routing was another major innovation during this period. By offering the ability to automatically optimize delivery schedules and improving route sales management, we gave businesses the tools to operate more efficiently. Taking scheduling work that would take hours and hours per month, down to just a few minutes by the computer. Additionally, Trakker focused on creating and standardizing API interfaces, allowing seamless integrations with external systems and making it easier for businesses to connect Trakker with their existing tools. These enhancements strengthened our position as a versatile solution for businesses of all sizes.
Adapting to a Changing World (2020 – 2024)
The last five years have highlighted Trakker’s resilience and adaptability in the face of global challenges. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we quickly developed features to support desktop-based shipping of orders, offering businesses new ways to manage sales and distribution as remote work and changing consumer behavior reshaped industries.
As technology continued to advance, Trakker embraced new innovations to meet customer demands. In 2022, we added Trakker Payment+, a built-in credit card payment processing with Heartland,, simplifying payment workflows save staff time and improving cash flow. Building on this momentum, we introduced tools for recurring and rental payment management, enabling businesses in subscription-based and rental route sales industries like CO2 gas and other bar and restaurant services.
2025 and Beyond
As we celebrate 30 years of Trakker, we remain committed to continuous innovation and customer-focused solutions. From its origins as a DOS-based system to its current role as a comprehensive software solution for businesses across industries, Trakker has always stayed ahead of the curve.
Looking forward, we’re excited to build on this legacy, exploring new technologies like how to implement AI, SMS text messaging alerts…and empowering our customers to thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape.
Thank you to all our customers, partners, and team members who have been part of this incredible journey. Here’s to the next 30 years of Trakker!