Based in Atlanta, Georgia, ERDAS, Inc was established in 1978. A small start up initially located on Georgia Tech's campus, ERDAS developed software to process Landsat imagery into maps, utilizing remote sensing and GIS techniques. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the geographic imaging market rapidly developed, with ERDAS as an industry leader.

In 2001, ERDAS and LH Systems were acquired by Leica Geosystems, and this division became Leica Geosystems GIS & Mapping (later renamed to Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging). ERDAS was a remote sensing and geospatial imaging software company and LH Systems was a provider of aerial survey and photogrammetry solutions. The combination of these two entities created a comprehensive solution provider, addressing the entire imaging process from capturing raw data to presenting 2D and 3D maps. In essence, Leica Geosystems defined and powered the geospatial imaging chain, as the experts in imagery.

Hexagon purchased Leica Geosystems in 2005, maintaining the company's name and identity. In 2007, the division acquired Acquis, ER Mapper and IONIC, providing the company with new technology and strengthening its global presence. With these acquisitions, the company broadened its offerings, appealing to much larger web and enterprise wide, non-traditional markets. In 2008, this innovative company became the new ERDAS, expanded to provide the most dynamic geospatial solutions to meet everyday business needs.

Today, ERDAS provides solutions that meet the full spectrum of an organization's requirements, transforming geospatial data into information useful for decision-making processes. By incorporating standards-based interoperability throughout the authoring, managing, connecting and delivering of geospatial information, ERDAS ensures that data is seamlessly integrated for enterprise, web-based, mobile and desktop clients. As data progresses thru the process of authoring to delivering, the value of the information also increases, from the original captured source content to information that provides valuable decision support.

Building on the company's rich history and expertise in geospatial imaging, ERDAS has secured its position to be a leader in the broader geospatial information market. With Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) interoperability, ERDAS develops standards-based solutions with the most advanced service-oriented platform available. By leveraging new and existing technologies, ERDAS provides the most comprehensive geospatial solutions, incorporating existing technological strengths in image exploitation, processing, visualization and geospatial data management to meet a broader spectrum of customer needs in today's enterprise environment.