History
1984
Foundation
The three managing directors Dr. Volker Sustrate, Dr. Marian Gaidzik and Dr. Werner Kretschmer founded HaCon. The three engineers have known each other since student days and obtained their PhD at the Institute of Transport, Railway Construction and Operation (IVE) in Hannover.
At that time, each of them conducts research in a different field, which should later be the main pillars of HaCon: passengers and freight transport services and sciences of railway operation.
1986
New premises
HaCon moves from the first offices in Odeonstraße in the centre of Hannover into the Technology Centre at Vahrenwalder Straße in the north of the city.
1989
Success for the HAFAS-algorithm
In cooperation with mathematicians and computer scientists of the University of Hannover the algorithms for the timetable information system HAFAS are developed.
With SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) and Deutsche Bahn (formerly Deutsch Bundesbahn) major clients decide to deploy HAFAS as timetable information system.
1991
Another relocation becomes necessary.
From the Technology Centre at Vahrenwalder Straße in the north of the city the team moves to Königstraße in the centre of Hannover.
1993
For the first time, the number of employees exceeds 20. In 1999 HaCon counts 60 and in 2006 more than 90 employees.
1995
The first Internet-version of HAFAS is launched. The system, which at first runs as a test-version at www.hacon.de, later becomes the official information system of Deutsch Bahn on the Internet at www.bahn.de.
1997
First HAFAS User Conference
For the first time, HaCon invites to the HAFAS User Conference. In the subsequent years the event experiences widespread recognition among clients. Each year it attracts more HAFAS-clients to Hannover.
1998
HAFAS goes mobile.
With HAFAS Pocket the world's smallest course book is presented. The HAFAS calculation engine is being ported to the Windows CE operating system. Software and the entire railway timetable of Deutsche Bahn comprise only six megabytes.
HaCon celebrates its 15th anniversary and is growing to 55 employees.
2000
HAFAS as a journey planner from door to door.
Addresses and maps are integrated into HAFAS and thus the system can provide door-to-door information.
With Rejseplanen in Denmark an entire country opts for HAFAS as a national information system.
By the time of the timetable change in December HAFAS reaches one million queries for the first time.
2001
HaCon presents itself with a new website and logo.
HaCon modernises its logo, which now better reflects the activities focused on software and transport. The new website provides information on products and services more comprehensively and clearly.
A further relocation provides space for more employees.
In 2002, HaCon moves into Podbi Park in Hannover List where HaCon occupies three floors with a total of 4,000 square metres.
2002
Success for another HaCon-product
The Train Planning System TPS is implemented an operated at the Danish State Railways DSB. The new software product increasingly convinces clients on the European railway market.
2004
HaCon celebrates its 20th anniversary.
2005
Request record on the Internet
At the time of the release of the new timetable at www.bahn.de the HAFAS system was enquired more than 2.8 million times and computed more than 10 million connections within 24 hours.
Enlargement at management level
With Michael Frankenberg, Peter Talke and Werner Sommerfeld three further managing directors join the management. Thus corporate succession at HaCon is initiated.
2007
HaCon strenghtens the business segment Transport & Logistics.
The transport and logistics sector is evolving. The team provides project management services for its clients, develops solutions for freight services and accompanies the implementation. It also advises policy makers on transport and logistics issues. Clients include the European Commission, national ministries and companies of the transportation and logistics industry.
2009
Change-over at management-level
The company's founders, Dr. Marian Gaidzik, Dr. Werner Kretschmer and Dr. Volker Sustrate pass the majority of the shares to the computer scientist Michael Frankenberg, to the engineer Peter Talke and to the mathematician Werner Sommerfeld. Since 2005, the trio has strengthened the top management as managing partners.
HaCon celebrates its 25th anniversary.
2010
By taking over the engineering firm IBS, HaCon has gained further expertise in the fields operation simulation, vehicle and personnel planning and construction planning. Thus the number of employees grows to 130 colleagues.
2011
Relaunch of the HaCon website
The new website comes along with a fresh new look, extended information and clear design to inform clients better about products and services.
