The Company was established in 1998 to provide high-quality affordable map data for use in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), such as MapInfo™, ArcView™ and ArcGIS™, and for use in Web applications. In 1999 we became the UK & Ireland distributors for Avenza Systems of MAPublisher™ (and later Geographic Imager™), and in 2003 the Pitney Bowes MapInfo range. We are also now resellers of the Royal Mail™ PAF™ & PostZon™, Ordnance Survey™ and CollinsBartholomew portfolios. Our sister company Global Mapping acts as our publisher, hence why most of the paper maps we produce are branded as Global Mapping. Over the years our data sets have expanded to include UK postcode geography, what is now the People's Map British Isles data, a comprehensive World data set at 1:1m (recently used for the EARTH atlas), and our OverView World data (suited to wall map production, etc).

In addition to our original aim of providing GIS / cartographic data sets, we now also offer a comprehensive GIS solution (software, training, consultancy, applications & data), a cartography solution for publishers (we can originate and design your maps for you), a postcode solution (for marketing, mailings, & other postcode look-ups, etc), and an air photo solution (either off-the- shelf modern and historic air photos, or commissioned to your order).

Our founding directors have many years experience in both Cartography and Geography, and in total four of the staff previously worked at Bartholomews.

We are members of the British Cartographic Society, Midlothian Chamber of Commerce, and the International Map Trade Association (IMTA). We sponsor the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and the XYZ Digital Award for a young(ish) Scottish based cartographer / geographer.

Dr Timothy Rideout FRGS
Director

I studied Geography and Economics at the University of Cape Town in South Africa culminating in a two-year Masters Degree with a thesis on the development of the office component of the Cape Town Central Business District. I moved to Edinburgh in December 1984 to undertake doctoral research in the Geography Department at the University of Edinburgh. I started using the ArcInfo GIS system in 1986 in order to create the maps in my dissertation. From 1988 I assisted with and later ran the Nature Conservancy Council/Scottish Natural Heritage Islay GIS project. In 1991 I moved to Bartholomew and ran the Map Data Sales and Electronic Publishing technical department until August 1998. Despite considerable success at Bartholomew, Mark and I decided that it was time to move on. The XYZ Digital Map Company was established on our intention to utilise our many years of experience and skill to demonstrate what technology now permits in terms of well structured, cost effective cartography. Nearly eleven years later things are pretty much on track, but with lots of new areas being developed. These include the People's Map, our World 1:1m data, air photography, our SkyView poster range, training in MapInfo and MAPublisher, and loads of new databases. With Alan Smith at Global Mapping now dealing with a lot of the sales tasks, I can get on with rejecting everyone else's spending requests and ripping up the begging letters! In addition I am Secretary of the British Cartographic Society, and a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Other interests include South African flora (especially the Fynbos), hiking, Scottish Country Dancing, railways and malt whisky (and getting in the newspapers! - Mark). 

Mark Fairbairn
Director

I joined Bartholomew as a Cartographic Apprentice in the Drawing Office. I was the last apprentice to undertake this four year apprenticeship. This was primarily conventional cartography but with a comprehensive insight and hands on approach to all aspects of the printing Industry. In the succeeding years I witnessed and participated in the historic transformation of Bartholomew from traditional conventional cartographers to be one of the first Cartographic Companies to be pioneering a new technology called GIS. Having completed 19 years at Bartholomew, I left to start XYZ along with Tim.

I started life in cartography as an apprentice cartographic draughtsman in the photo drawing office at John Bartholomew & Son which as is turned out was the last apprenticeship of its kind at Bartholomews. In my time at Bartholomews I was involved in the cross over from conventional cartographic techniques to the new world of digital mapping which presented some new and interesting problems. During my apprenticeship I studied at the Glasgow College of Building and Printing and received an ONC and HNC in Topographic studies. After 16 years at Bartholomews and shortly after the move to Bishopbriggs I decided I needed a change and moved to Churchill Livingstone, the medical publishers based in Edinburgh. At Churchill Livingstone I was able to utilise my new DTP skills to produce a wide range of medical books and journals and develop my production skills. After eight happy years there the production was moved off shore and I was made redundant. It was at this point that XYZ approached me about a short term contract, that was nearly 5 years ago!!

I joined Bartholomew a few years before Mark. I had the dubious distinction of acting as Mark's Journeyman for his apprenticeship. After surviving this traumatic four years, I went on to become a senior cartographic draughtsman, but converting to GIS in the late 1980's. My last few years at Bartholomew were spent working on the map databases using ArcInfo and Oracle. I unceremoniously left Bartholomew in July 1997, and was invited to join XYZ in August 1998. I am currently working on the Africa section of the XYZ World data, some USA zip codes and a map of Denali (Mt McKinley).

Having completed a joint BSc degree in Computer Science and Artificial intelligence at the University of Sussex, my foray into the world of GIS started four years ago, when I started an MSc in Geographical Information Science at the Univeristy of Edinburgh. Having completed the course, I joined The XYZ Digital Map Company in November 2006. After being at the company for almost a year, I was appointed the People's Map Project Manager, where I oversaw the the release of the initial People's Map online editor.

I have since chosen to return to a more technical role within the company, and my current responsibilities include MapInfo training, MapBasic programming and the creation of the People's Map verification method. In 2009 I will be working on, amongst other projects, the creation of standalone MapInfo tools using Visual Basic and the stitching and georectification of OS Historic Ireland maps.

In my personal time I am learning web design, but also love to get away from the computer and into nature, for which Scotland is so abundant. I love to read, am an avid amateur photographer, and enjoy learning and creating various types of artesania.

Tiger arrived at the XYZ office in February 2006, and has been doing a wonderful job guarding the office. Don't think about trying anything here as he has been known to deliver a severe licking to any dodgy individuals loitering around and has become a master at tripping people up with his lead. Also if you'd like your map with genuine paw prints or that 'the dog ate my homework' look then Tiger's your dog.