About Us

From Humble Beginnings

To Notable Accomplishments

It all started with a dream in 1992. Founder and President Paul Toomey, an English lad with a background in geographic information systems, decided to start a software business out of his two-bedroom apartment. His goal was to use his knowledge of mapping to assist job seekers in finding the areas with the most plentiful, highest quality jobs.

After a few years of development, the idea of mapping employment data caught the eye of workforce boards and spread like wildfire. Through a few initial partnerships, Paul quickly realized that there was a desperate need for a single system that would display current job listings, show real-time labor market statistics, manage employment services provided to individuals, and track the placement of job seekers. In light of this, Virtual OneStop – our flagship labor exchange and case management product - came to be in 1998.

Our company’s initial focus used geography to map out the location and population of jobs in certain areas, bringing a new concept to the labor market industry. Therein lies the crux of our moniker, ‘Geographic Solutions’.

A Trailblazer in the Industry

With a History of ‘Firsts’

In this slide, Geographic Solutions’ president, Paul Toomey is pictured at the time of the company’s founding.

1992 Geographic Solutions is founded by President Paul Toomey.

In this slide, we’re showing a screenshot of the nation’s first labor market information system, which we launched for the state of North Carolina in 1994.

1994 The nation’s first labor market information system launches in North Carolina.

In this slide, we’re showing a screenshot of the first system to display labor market information specifically for job seekers, which we launched for the state of Georgia in 1996.

1996 The first system to display LMI data specifically for job seekers goes live in Georgia.

In this slide, we’re showing a graphic that depicts WILMA, the country’s first Internet-based labor market information system, which we launched for the state of Washington in 1997.

1997 The country’s first Internet-based LMI system launches in Washington.

In this slide, we’re showing a screen shot of Virtual OneStop 1.0, which became the first Internet based operating system in the country.

1998 Virtual OneStop 1.0 is developed, marking the first Internet-based one-stop operating system.

This slide shows the first scan card and individual fund tracking system launched in 2002.

2002 The first Internet-based scan card and individual fund tracking systems launch.

This slide shows a screen shot of job aggregation technology, which was first introduced to Virtual OneStop in 2003.

2003 Job aggregation technology is integrated into Virtual OneStop.

In this slide, we’re showing a picture of the very first Workforce Technology Conference on Clearwater Beach.

2004 Geographic Solutions holds its first Workforce Technology Conference.

This slide depicts a milestone that represents when we added new job search technology with database intelligence to Virtual OneStop in 2005.

2005 New job search technology with database intelligence is added to Virtual OneStop.

This slide shows a screen shot of enhanced résumé builder functionality which was added to Virtual OneStop in 2007.

2007 Enhanced Résumé Builder functionality is added to Virtual OneStop.

This slide shows a graphic that represents the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In 2009, we enhanced all sites to meet the guidelines of this act.

2009 All client sites are enhanced in response to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

This slide shows a screen shot of America’s Virtual OneStop, which we launched in 2009 to provide nationwide job search functionality and labor market information access.

2009 America’s Virtual OneStop is unveiled, providing job search and LMI data on a national scale.

This slide shows a screen shot from Employ Florida. In 2010, this was ranked first in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Tools for America’s Job Seeker Challenge.

2010 Employ Florida ranks first in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Tools for America’s Job Seekers Challenge.

This slide shows a screen shot from America’s Labor Market Analyzer a tool launched in 2010 to provide nationwide access to for economic development analysis.

2010 America’s Labor Market Analyzer debuts tools for economic development analysis.

In this slide, mascots for our unemployment insurance and reemployment exchange pictured in action stances. This milestone represents our 2011 entrance into the integrated workforce and UI benefits solutions.

2011 Geographic Solutions enters into the field of integrated workforce and UI benefit solutions.

Depicted in this slide is a mobile phone, which signifies our 2013 entrance into the world of mobile applications, launching the first one for our clients in South Carolina.

2013 The first Virtual OneStop mobile application launches in South Carolina.

In this slide, a graphic depicts our Agile Methodology, which we implemented and applied to all projects in 2015.

2015 Agile Project Management approach to software delivery is applied to all projects.

This slide shows a screen shot from the State of Louisiana’s integrated unemployment insurance and labor exchange system, which we launched in 2015.

2015 Louisiana launches the country’s first integrated labor exchange and UI operations solution.

This slide depicts a graphic that says We are WIOA. This slogan signifies enhancements made to all client sites in 2015 to meet Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act phase one guidelines.

2015 All client sites are enhanced in response to WIOA Phase 1.

The Slide shows the United States Department of Labor seal, which signifies our enhancements to all client sites in 2016 to meet Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) phase two regulations.

2016 Virtual OneStop is enhanced to include WIOA Phase 2 case management functionality.

This slide shows a picture with all of Geographic Solutions’ employees outside of our company’s main building in Palm Harbor, Florida, and signifies 25 years in business.

2017 Geographic Solutions celebrates its 25th Year in Business.

This slide shows the Employ Florida Disaster Recovery Portal. At the 2018 Tampa Bay Tech Awards, this portal won Project of the Year.

2018 Employ Florida Disaster Recovery Jobs Portal Wins Project of the Year at the 2018 Tampa Bay Tech Awards for its post-Hurricane Michael efforts.

This slide shows the Work in Texas Portal.

2019 Geographic Solutions launches WorkinTexas.com – connecting more than 550,000 Texas employers with 14 million job seekers.

This slide shows the Pennsylvania Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Portal.

2020 Geographic Solutions launches PUA software, offering relief for states managing Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

These early accomplishments led our company to continue to evolve our products while always staying true to our mission of putting people to work. After many successful system launches, we decided to broaden our product line once again in 2013 to encompass unemployment insurance benefits, tax, and appeals management.

This new, integrated solution was built upon the same innovative base system that was already changing the way workforce agencies were delivering services nationwide, but focused more on the faster reemployment of individuals.

We saw an intrinsic value in a solution that married both labor exchange and unemployment insurance operations into a single, online system – one that encourages individuals claiming benefits to actively search for a job and to obtain employment more quickly, saving states millions of dollars in trust funds.

Since our founding days, we have grown to be the leading provider of online employment software for state and local workforce agencies, education institutions, and economic development organizations in the United States. Our past has set the foundation for current opportunities within the industry and for many more in years to come.

Our Mission: We strive to develop innovative software to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of workforce development organizations throughout the United States.

Our Solutions

Geared to Put People Back to Work

Geographic Solutions specializes in developing and maintaining online software for the workforce development, economic development, education, corrections, human services, and unemployment insurance industries. Regardless of the industry or the individuals being served, the goal is the same – to equip those seeking employment with the tools they need to find quality, high-paying jobs that meet not only their skills, but their career interests as well. All of our systems meet the underlying goal of reducing dependence on unemployment benefits, inspiring career exploration, and encouraging economic stability.

VOS - Virtual OneStop Sapphire

VOS Sapphire is the only current workforce solution that provides labor exchange, program management, labor market information, financial tracking, and federal reporting tools integrated seamlessly into a single, online system.

Learn More About VOS Sapphire

GUS - Geographic Solutions Unemployment System

GUS is an integrated, Commercial-Off-The-Shelf unemployment benefits, tax, and appeals solution. The system manages state unemployment programs effectively, while streamlining business processes, preventing fraud, and maximizing automation.

Learn More About GUS

REX - Reemployment Exchange

REX links unemployment insurance and workforce systems by monitoring claimant accounts and ensuring work search requirements are being met. As claimants are receiving benefits, the system presents them with labor exchange and labor market information tools to help them find suitable employment at a faster rate.

Learn More About REX

VLMI - Virtual Labor Market Information

Virtual LMI offers the most accurate economic data available, including a high-quality database of historical and aggregated jobs data. Labor market analysts and economic development professionals can perform customized labor market research using real-time, supply-and-demand data. Job seekers and employers can also use the system to help make informed career and recruiting decisions.

Learn More About VLMI

ALMA - America’s Labor Market Analyzer

ALMA is a nationwide labor market analysis tool that offers real-time jobs and candidate analysis, as well as traditional data for every state. Job seekers, employers, and analysts can use the system to identify trends and compare labor market information seamlessly without boundaries. ALMA shows side-by-side comparisons for multiple labor market data sets for time periods, various geographic areas, occupations, industries, and other key parameters.

Learn More About ALMA

VCC - Virtual Career Center

Virtual Career Center is an online career exploration tool that gives students looking to enroll in higher education access to current employment statistics, job searches, advanced résumé creation, labor market analysis, education and training resources, and more. College career counselors can also use the custom-branded system to help guide current and potential students with finding the right career path.

Learn More About VCC

REO - Virtual OneStop Reentry Employment Opportunities

Virtual OneStop Reentry Employment Opportunities breaks the cycle of recidivism for justice-involved individuals and promotes a smooth transition back into society. VOS REO is a comprehensive, yet secure, system that guides job-ready individuals toward meaningful and sustainable employment – through the use of career pathways, education, training, and community resources.

Learn More About REO

The Present

Built on a Strong Foundation with Incredible Reach

Our systems are in place for many of the largest state governments and regional workforce boards throughout United States and beyond, giving millions of individuals access to the tools they need to reach their employment goals.

35+
States and U.S. Territories with Active Systems

165+
System Launches to Date

1229+
American Job Centers Currently Using Our Software

182+
Million Individuals Reached

The Future

Where Do We Go From Here

With a strong foothold serving job seekers, employers, and agency staff, we decided to develop products that have a focus on helping students get access to career exploration tools and resources that will guide them through their employment journey. It is our hope that our products will inspire future generations to start thinking about a career path at a younger age, giving themselves the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to reach their dream.

In addition to making a mark in the education industry, we plan to continue our work in the fields of workforce development, labor market information, and unemployment insurance. In doing so, we vow to stay true to our commitment to putting people back to work.

What Sets Us Apart

From Others in Our Industry

Let’s face it. Anyone can develop software. What makes us different is the research and preparation that goes into developing the system. Our software is driven by a team of subject matter experts in collaboration with both our clients and partner agencies to develop a product that is specific to each agency’s individual needs.

As you can imagine, the mutually beneficial and responsive nature of our products puts our solutions in high demand. Now more than ever, agencies across the United States are looking to us to provide them with a dynamic solution. Keeping up with the welcomed growth in projects takes a lot of hard work, and you guessed it, a lot of manpower.

We’re comfortable being the geniuses behind the scenes, but in case you were wondering who makes the magic happen…

Our Knowledgeable Team

With Decades of Industry Experience

We employ over 355 experienced team members whose expertise, technical capabilities, and customer service skills have had a direct impact on the success of our products. Over 70 percent of our employee makeup consists of software developers, quality assurance engineers, and conversion specialists. We employ a solid team of project managers and business analysts, rounding out our staff with professionals in administration, marketing, and client services.

Many of our staff members have worked in career centers previously, bringing not only relevant experience, but an appreciation for efficient service delivery and agency accountability. Their significant industry knowledge gives them a deep understanding that ensures our solutions meet the individual needs of each agency we partner with.

Our Development Process

A Method to Our Madness

In development, our products have four sides to consider while in the development stage. What the developer creates, what works for the agency staff member, what works best for the employer looking for talent, and what works for the job seeker. All of these viewpoints need to be considered and balanced for us to have a truly successful product and for us to attain our goal of putting as many people as we can back to work.

Ever-changing federal mandates have kept Geographic Solutions in a state of steady and continual growth. With each phase of amendments that pass, our existing system functionality is enhanced and when necessary, new development takes place. Our proactive development process and stellar business practices have led our company to be acknowledged on the local level as well as on a national scale. Below are just a few of the ways we have been recognized.

Accolades

For Community and Industry Achievements

Tampa Bay Tech Awards

Technology Company of the Year Finalist (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018)

Technology Leader of the Year Finalist (2016)

Technologist of the Year Finalist (2016)

Impact Project of the Year Finalist (2015)

Technology Project of the Year Winner (2018)

Technology Project of the Year Winner (2020)

Bright House Regional Business Awards

First Place Large Business of the Year (2016)

Second Place Large Business of the Year (2015)

Tampa Bay Business Journal Awards

The List: Largest Software Developers in Tampa Bay (2013)

Best Places to Work Finalist (2013)

The List: Largest Software Developers in Tampa Bay (2020)