VETRO Origin Story

Years of frustration in the telecom industry fueled my drive to create change. Network operators were burdened by outdated tools that hindered rather than helped. These cumbersome platforms demanded extensive customization, required specialized training, and created data silos instead of streamlining operations.

For me, being introduced to GIS was a whole new world – taking real-world features and turning them into digital layers, then analyzing them to solve problems and tell stories. Think traffic patterns, environmental issues, or even beer distribution.

But this was the pre-smartphone era – clunky workstations, complex command lines, and painstakingly digitizing paper maps by hand. It was fascinating, but slow and not exactly user-friendly.

Then came the internet revolution. Google Maps and web mapping started popping up, but they weren’t quite there yet. It was a big leap to get this powerful mapping technology into the hands of everyday people and businesses.

While I was still in the desktop GIS consulting world, I saw the shift happening. So, I took a chance and started my own company. We focused on using a more user-friendly mapping software called MapInfo. No more cryptic code, just buttons and menus. We helped businesses of all kinds – from environmental monitoring to student education – unlock the power of maps.

I soon started working with small ISPs, showing them how to use GIS to identify potential customers and analyze their network reach. It felt like taking all those mapping techniques I learned and applying them to a whole new field.

Finally, after years of working in the desktop GIS world, I realized the future was online. I teamed up with some partners and founded MBT Solutions, a software development company. We built mapping tools specifically designed to solve business problems, and guess what? A big chunk of our clientele ended up being telecom companies.

From basic mapping for local fiber providers to building qualification tools for T-Mobile, we saw it all. The core techniques remained the same – analyzing spatial data, validating addresses, and using maps to make informed decisions.

Witnessing the struggle ISPs were having firsthand, I knew there had to be a better way. In 2017, VETRO was born from a vision to empower network operators with purpose-built tools designed specifically for them. We embraced a true SaaS model, prioritized seamless interoperability, and obsessed over a simplified user experience, making it accessible to everyone. But we didn’t stop there. We listened to the market, understanding the importance of data integrity and the challenges faced by field teams.

We now recognize that our customers are facing unprecedented change in their businesses and lives, much like my own journey with VETRO. The industry is evolving rapidly, demanding a new level of visibility, agility and innovation.

In response, we introduced automations that feed critical data to other systems, ensuring the accuracy of the network inventory. We developed mobile capabilities that armed field workers with accurate information and automated data collection. And I continue to obsess on building the platform that adapts and scales alongside our customers’ growing needs.

It’s been a wild ride, from the early days of code lines and workstations to the world of consumer-friendly online maps. And through it all, my passion for using maps to unlock insights and solve problems has never faded. VETRO continues to challenge the status quo, driven by our commitment to innovation and our deep understanding of the telecommunications industry. We’re more than just a software company; we’re a partner dedicated to helping network operators navigate change, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals. We are fueling the change the industry has been waiting for.