In 1994, Visy began its journey in Varkaus, Finland, developing the first versions of its optical character recognition (OCR) algorithms for the Finnish paper industry. A small team with a background in technology launched the project, focusing on advancing the tech and creating a system around it. By 1996, the pioneering effort led to a production-ready OCR camera system for a paper machine line, reading markings on paper rolls.
The precursor system to today’s sophisticated Gate OCR solution
Precursor Systems of Today’s Sophisticated Gate OCR Camera Solutions
As Visy refined its OCR camera system, it became clear that the technology could have broader applications. After establishing an office in Tampere in 1997, the company became the first in Finland to introduce automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and license plate recognition (LPR) software to the market. A proof-of-concept LPR project was soon delivered to Helsinki West Harbor in 1998. By 1999, Visy had already marked another milestone with developing basic OCR algorithms for container codes, delivering the first container OCR solution to the same site.
The Port of Hamina soon took notice, leading to Visy’s first commercial deal in 2000. The system executed automatic reading of both vehicle plates and container IDs, automatically sharing the data with third-party databases – a precursor to today’s sophisticated gate OCR solutions.
Port of Hamina
In the early 2000s, Visy engineers developed the first version of Visy Access Gate – Gate Operating System, deployed in a paper mill facility. This included both access management and license plate recognition systems, with all software developed in-house.
After developing a complete solution, Visy soon expanded outside of Finland in 2003 with border control and terminal access control projects in Spain and Germany. Since then, the company’s operations have been international, with deliveries made around the world.
The Visy Gate OCR system has automated traffic management since the early 2000s
Expanding Horizons: Meeting Global Security and Efficiency Needs
The sad events of 2001 in the United States urged a heightened demand for secure, accurate tracking of vehicles and cargo across borders and ports around the globe. With a cutting-edge OCR and access management system, Visy was well positioned to address these needs. As borders tightened and regulations increased, the technology enabled ports and terminals to track inbound and outbound traffic with precision, supporting both security and efficiency targets.
Pioneering the Field of OCR & AI
With every delivery, Visy has aimed to deploy flexible, high-quality solutions for industries with complex, evolving needs. In addition to being customer-oriented, the success behind the expertise has been rooted in a close collaboration between Visy and Tampere University.
In 2003, Visy strengthened its expertise in machine learning by bringing in experienced professionals from academia. One key contributor joined from a full-time academic role as an associate professor in signal processing, dedicating efforts to developing Visy’s OCR algorithms. Over time, others from academia have also joined Visy, furthering a collaborative environment where industry and research intersect. This close partnership has been instrumental in advancing artificial intelligence and machine learning within the company. By continually translating research outcomes into practical applications, Visy has maintained its position as a leading OCR provider, delivering cutting-edge AI solutions to the market.
Visy began using linescan imaging in the late ’90s
A legacy of innovation
A symbolic touch to Visy’s journey is the iconic logo, referencing the “eye” of OCR and machine vision, reportedly designed by a local graphic design teacher in exchange for a bottle of cognac. The logo reflects continuous data capturing, OCR, and ever-evolving operations, which have been, and will remain, a staple in Visy’s story. Today, Visy has more than earned the promise of its symbol, expanding the horizons of what’s possible with data & AI-powered OCR.
Evolution of the Visy logo
