Behind the Success
Urban Science was founded in 1977 by James A. Anderson, a civil engineer working at the Center for Urban Studies at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Anderson pioneered a number of innovative, computer-generated mapping solutions including a software program that enabled General Motors' Cadillac Motor Division to electronically map luxury car buyers in the Chicago region.
Today, his consulting firm — which combines scientific analysis and marketing expertise to help companies evaluate structure and manage their retail sales channels — employs 400 people across the globe and 170 at its Detroit headquarters.
Through Urban Science, companies can realize significant additional growth by simply viewing existing markets and channels through a fresh set of eyes.
Urban Science uses real-world experience and advanced market-analysis techniques to uncover insights into channel performance that have real business-building impact. "As channel optimization consultants, we have worked with the world's top corporations for nearly 30 years," says Anderson. "Our scientific techniques uncover opportunity."
Simply put, we can see and do things that others can't.
Highlights
| 1977 | First in the world to draw dot maps with a computer |
| 1980 | First in the world to solve large optimal-location problems |
| 1982 | First GIS (geographic information system) in the world that printed color images from a computer screen using laser technology |
| 1988 | First in the world to integrate artificial intelligence into expert system |
| 1990 | First in the world with an integrated network-analysis decision-support system |
| 1996 | Developed best-in-class predictive-modeling software (GainSmarts®) |
| 2002 | Jim Anderson named 2002 Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young |
| 2003 | Urban Science endows professor chair at Wayne State University to identify and train entrepreneurs |
| 2005 | Urban Science opens Beijing office |
| 2006 | Urban Science joins forces with Webfair |
