History
In 1983, Tim Berry left his vice president job at a Silicon Valley high-tech planning and research firm to do business plans for startups and major tech manufacturers. He developed the initial business plan and was one of the founding directors of Borland International, which started in 1983 and went public in 1986. He was a planning consultant for Apple Computer for 12 years, including for Apple Japan while it grew from $180 million to $1.5 billion annually in four years. Over his career, he billed more than $2 million for business plan consulting.
He came to believe that every business, small or large, deserves good business planning to optimize management and accountability. So in 1988, he incorporated as Palo Alto Software, and set out to create business planning tools that were accessible and affordable for small businesses everywhere. Palo Alto Software grew from Tim's desire to help others succeed in business, and that is the goal our company continues to pursue.
Today
Outpost launched
2018
Outpost launches—the next generation replacement to Email Center Pro, our successful email collaboration product. Outpost is a team email inbox for small and growing businesses, which makes it easy for teams to efficiently respond to customer emails from a single inbox.
Palo Alto Software rebranded
2015
To better represent the mix of small business products and services offered, we update our branding.
Lean Business Planning published
2015
Palo Alto Software moves to 44 Broadway in Eugene, Oregon
2013
LivePlan launched
2011
LivePlan launches to reinvent business planning, embracing modern theories of planning, accountability, and implementation. The new cloud app simplifies business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking for small businesses and startups.
Small Business Boost
2009
With small- and medium-sized businesses struggling to remain open during the Great Recession, Palo Alto Software commits to helping by giving away over $3 million in free software.
Email Center Pro launched
2008
Sabrina Parsons succeeds Tim Berry as CEO
2007
In 2007, Tim transferred responsibility for daily operations to his daughter Sabrina. Sabrina is a successful internet expert, having served as Director of Online Marketing at Commtouch, Senior Producer at Epinions, and founder of her own web consulting company, Lighting Out.
Palo Alto Software opens subsidiary office in London
2001
Adjuct Professor, University of Oregon
1998-2009
In addition to the full-time effort of leading and growing Palo Alto Software, Tim teaches BA410 “Starting a Business” for 11 years.
Marketing Plan Pro launched
1996
Bplans.com launched
1995
We launch Bplans.com, a free resource of guides, plans, articles, and more to help entrepreneurs and small businesses get the information they need to succeed. Bplans goes on to deliver thousands of articles, over 550 sample plans, and become the leading free online business planning resource.
Business Plan Pro launched
1995
By selling boxes of software instead of hours of consulting time, we found we could help small and midsized businesses do best-practice planning at a price they could afford. Business Plan Pro would go on to receive awards and positive reviews from The Wall Street Journal, PC World, Entrepreneur Magazine, and more, as well as from thousands of real-world startups and small businesses.
Palo Alto Software moves to Eugene, Oregon
1992
Business planning for Apple's international operations
1990-1994
For over a decade, beginning in 1983, Apple contracts Tim for strategic guidance and research in their Pacific, Latin American, and Japanese markets. From 1990 to 1994, Tim consults for Apple Japan as its annual sales grows from $180 million to $1.5 billion.
Palo Alto Software's first product
1988
Tim publishes the “Business Plan Toolkit” product, including templates to do business plan financials for Mac and PC computers.
Palo Alto Software, Inc. is born
1988
Business planning in Silicon Valley
1983-1994
Tim writes the original business plan for Borland International, and joins the founding board of directors. He consults on strategy and business planning with Apple Computer's international groups, other computer companies, and startups. In 1984, he creates his first business plan software product: templates to go with a book titled, “How To Develop Your Business Plan.”
Tim Berry, Standford MBA
1981
June 14, 1981. Tim graduates with an MBA from Stanford University.