Founded in 1998, Thin Air Software LLC was created to aid companies that were anxious to take advantage of the burgeoning Internet marketplace, but lost among the hype and questionable business models, and intimidated by the technical and operational complexities participation entailed.
In 1999, after completing version 1.0 of its first product, Thin Air was engaged by M&I Mortgage Corp. (a division of Marshall and Ilsley Corp.) Ultimately, Thin Air Software developed and launched a series of three products for M&I Mortgage. The last and most ambitious of those projects, Mortgagebot PowerSite and Mortgagebot PowerCenter, culminated in the spin-out of Mortgagebot LLC from Marshall and Ilsley Corp. and Thin Air Softwar's simultaneous merger with the new company in the early spring of 2001.
For three years, Geoff Bastow and the original Thin Air Software team worked with their colleagues at Mortgagebot to create the recognized industry leader in on-line mortgage lending solutions. During that time, Mortgagebot rapidly achieved profitability and went on to grow from six clients to more than 350. During the three years Mortgagebot prospered and Thin Air sat dormant, much changed in the market, but much had remained the same.
As the Internet matured and the hype and empty promises melted away under the hot light of investor disappointment and industry scrutiny, the Internet began to be seen for what it is -- and expansive medium for communication, nothing more -- nothing less. What that meant for business was that instead of a world where everything had changed, it was back to basics -- offer quality products and services, provide great customer service, and deliver value to customers and stakeholders alike. But now there was an exciting new vehicle available with which to drive these principles and an abundance of real opportunity to pursue.
Still the complexity remained with each new opportunity, vast arrays of obstacles were uncovered. Even as more and more rich, integrated, dynamic solutions became possible, the technical and operational challenges continued to mount. Realizing those opportunities became more and more expensive for companies to attempt, and the barriers to success were substantial.
Recognizing this, Mr. Bastow saw the need for an organization like Thin Air, with a subtle shift in focus. Many organizations had become more focused on the value of an extensive, public communication medium and more attuned to the fact that such a medium could possibly be leveraged to their substantial benefit.
On March 31st, 2004 Mr. Bastow exited Mortgagebot LLC to re-launch Thin Air Software, with the goal of partnering with organizations such as those to help them develop and execute strategies that capitalized on this new environment. Where mutually desirable, Thin Air would share in both the risk and success of its clients. Though aligned interests and shared vision, the most valuable characteristics of each part would be leveraged with superior results.
Today, the Thin Air Software team is continuously striving to achieve that goal with each new endeavor it undertakes. As we look to the future, we see an endless variety of organizations on the cusp taking it to the next level. We're excited about the possibilities they see and ready to join them in transforming that potential into success.
