PDC History
How it started?
Today, PDC A/S is a Danish, 100% privately owned software house, specialising in advanced solutions for planning and optimising resources in complex industries.
The 1980s: The Foundation and Expert System Technology
It all began in 1984 in Broendby, Denmark. At that time, computing power was only talked about in terms of the future, and advanced logic programming was reserved for research environments. But during this technological pioneering era, a group of Danish developers saw an opportunity: To use intelligence in software to solve real-world complex planning challenges.
They founded PDC – Prolog Development Center – with the ambition of creating technology that understands rules, people and organisations. This led to the development of PC-Prolog / Turbo Prolog, which quickly achieved global distribution through Borland Int. and was sold in hundreds of thousands of copies.
As a 5th generation language for artificial intelligence and expert systems, the Danish Prolog technology was remarkably faster than competing solutions and made PDC a significant player in the market.
Already in the late 80s, PDC was building solutions that could do more than just calculate. They could “think”. We continue to develop what later became Visual Prolog® – our technological foundation that makes it possible to translate complicated workflows and regulations into precise and intelligent decisions.
1990s: Consolidation and product development
In the following decades, PDC grew in step with increasing global complexity, where aviation, hospitals and emergency services required more advanced and reliable planning. Therefore, PDC specialised in software for planning and optimization in industries with high demands for rule management.
Prolog technology became a central foundation in PDC’s solutions, and after taking over the marketing rights from Borland, PDC continued to develop the language so that it followed the needs and technological direction of the business community. After considering different platforms, PDC eventually chose Microsoft Windows as the primary development path.
2000s: Internationalisation and industry specialisation
PDC’s software solutions are gradually gaining traction worldwide, driven by a growing need for advanced planning and efficient resource utilisation. PDC’s systems are particularly popular in the aviation industry. Airports continue to experience growth in passenger and air traffic, which puts pressure on infrastructure, capacity, and operational coordination. Here, PDC’s solutions offer precise capacity and resource optimisation, enabling even heavily loaded airports to utilise their limited space and resources more efficiently.
Airlines are also facing increasing complexity in their operations, where demands for punctuality, economic operation, and flexibility are high. PDC’s aviation solutions give them a comprehensive overview of aircraft, crewing, and planning processes, so that operations can be managed more safely and efficiently.
At the same time, the need for intelligence in planning in the healthcare sector is growing. Both hospitals and municipal care units are faced with demands for optimal staffing, high quality in citizen and patient care, and strict compliance with working time regulations.
This becomes a significant and strategic market for PDC. With advanced shift planning, PDC delivers solutions that ensure uniformity, transparency, and correct rule management across departments and operating units – while streamlining workflows and strengthening employee well-being.
Everywhere, our mission became the same: to provide decision support that makes work easier and safer – for both employees and management.
The 2010s: Maturity, innovation, and greater market position
The increasing demand for reliable and scalable planning systems led to PDC’s international expansion. Today, our solutions are used globally, and we have established offices in North America, South America, the East, and England to be closer to our customers and to be able to provide support in all time zones.
Our systems are continuously developed to ensure that they continue to support our customers’ strategic and operational goals. Technological development takes place in close dialogue with the users and with a focus on quality, efficiency and future-proofing.
As a result of this development, PDC is growing both in terms of staff and global customer base, thereby strengthening its position as an international supplier of advanced planning and decision support solutions.
The 2020s: Digitalisation, AI and global growth
Today, PDC is a modern Danish software house with global reach and a portfolio of mission-critical solutions. With the integration of artificial intelligence, data-driven algorithms and advanced optimisation, we continue to strengthen our position as a leading supplier of planning and decision support systems.
Today, PDC delivers solutions to airlines, airports, airport coordinators, retail, healthcare, ferry companies, public services, and others with complex planning needs.
Since its establishment, PDC has worked based on a common principle: Creating technological solutions that make complex planning tasks simpler, more reliable and more valuable.
AI has undergone a revival since PDC introduced its Prolog language in the 80s.
