NCompass Labs

About NCompass Labs

NCompass Labs Inc. was a software company that developed an enterprise-strength web content management system for the Microsoft platform. Founded in February 1996 by Gerri Sinclair, Kerem Karatal, and Kristof Roomp, the company originated from the ExCITE Center, a multimedia research group at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. Initially, the company developed plug-ins for Netscape Navigator, including ScriptActive for hosting ActiveX controls and DocActive for hosting Microsoft Office documents.

In 1997, the company shifted its focus to a Windows-based content management product called ActiveEnterprise, which was later renamed NCompass Resolution. This system enabled businesses to deploy and manage dynamic and personalized e-business websites, including internet, intranet, and extranet sites. The software provided tools for content creation, workflow management, revision tracking, and multilingual content delivery. Its client roster included prominent organizations such as the Associated Press, Johnson & Johnson, Marriott International, and Verizon Communications.

In a strategic move to enhance its .NET Enterprise Server offerings, Microsoft acquired NCompass Labs on April 30, 2001, for approximately $36 million. Following the acquisition, NCompass Resolution was rebranded as Microsoft Content Management Server 2001. The acquisition was driven by customer demand for robust web content management solutions to complement Microsoft's e-business products.