Nearly three decades ago, Gestisoft started with a simple belief: technology should work for businesses, not the other way around.
Organizations today still face these same challenges, but with AI, automation, and cloud solutions evolving at an unprecedented pace, the complexity has only increased. Implementing better tools is not enough, businesses need to make sense of an ever-changing digital landscape. And more than ever, they need the right partner to help them not just adopt technology, but use it to truly transform the way they work.
That’s where we came in.
As we celebrate 28 years, we’re reflecting on how far we’ve come, the challenges we’ve tackled alongside our clients, and where we’re headed next.
From a bold idea to a trusted partner
In 1997, Claude Rose & Suzanne Arbour saw an opportunity to help businesses streamline operations and embrace technology in a way that felt intuitive and impactful. He founded Gestisoft with a small team and a big mission: to bridge the gap between business needs and digital solutions.
At first, we focused on ERP solutions—helping companies move away from spreadsheets and paper-based processes. But as technology evolved, so did we. Businesses weren’t just looking for software; they needed expertise, strategy, and long-term support.
That’s when we found our true purpose: helping organizations leverage Microsoft’s powerful ecosystem to drive real change.
Embracing change and leading the way
By the early 2000s, Microsoft Dynamics was reshaping the way companies managed everything from finance to customer relationships. We saw the potential immediately. Instead of building one-off solutions, we specialized in Microsoft Dynamics 365—giving businesses an integrated, scalable platform for growth.
This shift set the foundation for the Gestisoft you know today. It was also a time of growth for our team:
- 2001: Pier Lemyre joined the team, bringing a deep passion for digital transformation. Now CEO, his leadership played a key role in shaping the company’s strategic vision.
- 2012: Vincent Fournier came on board, strengthening our operational capabilities, now leading as our COO.
- 2018: François Cloutier joined as VP of Sales and Marketing, now stands as CRO, helping our sales team and impact.
Today, as Pier, Vincent, and François lead Gestisoft into the future, the same entrepreneurial spirit that started it all continues to drive us forward.
As businesses evolved, their challenges did too. What started as a mission to implement better ERP solutions quickly turned into something bigger: a need for integrated, scalable platforms that could adapt to a rapidly changing world.
Over the years, we’ve built our expertise and solutions tailored to the unique needs of different industries:
- ERP solutions that help businesses streamline financials, inventory, and operations.
- CRM solutions that give companies a 360-degree view of their customers, driving better engagement and retention.
- Legio, our purpose-built solution for professional associations and regulatory bodies, designed to simplify compliance and member management.
- Civio, our citizen request management solution used by municipalities like Laval, Lévis, and Terrebonne.
Our approach has always been simple: listen, understand, and build technology that makes a real difference.
Creating lasting impact
Over the years, our work has extended beyond implementations and integrations. We’ve built long-term partnerships, worked alongside organizations as they’ve scaled, and provided guidance at every stage of their digital transformation.
From day one, our goal has never been just about selling software, but empowering businesses with the right tools to thrive.
This commitment has led to industry recognition, including:
- Prix Performance Québec (2021) – Acknowledging our impact on business performance.
- Excellence Canada Award (2022) – Recognizing our focus on innovation and workplace culture.
- Great Place to Work certifications (2022-2025) – A reflection of the team that makes all of this possible.
- B Corp certification (2023) – Reinforcing our mission to create positive social impact.
But more important than any award is the success of the businesses we support. Because at the end of the day, the real impact of what we do isn’t measured in certifications, it’s in the efficiency gained, the customers retained, and the opportunities our customer win.
Looking ahead: the future of Gestisoft
While we’re proud of the last 28 years, we’re looking forward to the coming challenges.
By 2030, our vision is to be among Canada’s most influential SMEs, expanding across North America while continuing to prioritize customer success, innovation, and sustainable growth. But more than anything, we want to help businesses navigate the future of work : one where AI, automation, and cloud solutions don’t replace people, but empower them to be more efficient, strategic, and impactful than ever before.
But no matter how much we grow, one thing will remain the same: our commitment to helping businesses thrive.
Your success is our success, and we’re just getting started.💛
Over the past 28 years, we’ve worked alongside businesses as they’ve adapted, innovated, and grown.
Now, we’re looking ahead — and we want to help you do the same.
Whether you’re optimizing operations, enhancing customer experiences, or scaling smarter, we’re here to help.
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March 19, 2025 by Lukas Vézina by Lukas Vézina Brand & Communications Manager
Working at Gestisoft since 2017, where I moved from project management to brand management. This journey made me grow in ways I could never have imagined, and I'm just getting started!
