At CATALYST, we develop a suite of software solutions that enable geospatial professionals and end users to fully leverage Earth observation data. Our core expertise lies in advanced image processing and geospatial analytics, including photogrammetry, radiometric normalization, object-based image classification, SAR and InSAR processing, as well as image compositing and mosaicking.
CATALYST is a brand of PCI Geomatics, delivering scalable business solutions powered by Earth observation data and AI-enabled analytics. We collaborate closely with our clients to implement practical, business-ready solutions that support faster, more informed decision-making across asset management, operations, sustainability initiatives, and risk mitigation.
Formerly known as Geomatica, CATALYST Professional is purpose-built for remote sensing and photogrammetry professionals. It features multiple interactive interfaces and a library of more than 750 algorithms that can be seamlessly combined to design and automate custom processing workflows.
CATALYST Professional is an advanced remote sensing platform for processing, analyzing, and extracting actionable intelligence from both optical and SAR imagery. Its robust capabilities include image correction, ortho-mosaicking, feature extraction, and advanced analytics. It can be readily integrated into existing geospatial workflows and enterprise technology stacks.
Formerly known as GXL, CATALYST Enterprise is a scalable solution engineered for automated Earth observation workflows, including basemap generation and Analysis Ready Data (ARD) production.
CATALYST Enterprise is a production-grade remote sensing platform designed for high-volume imagery processing. It enables fully automated, repeatable workflows and delivers consistent, high-quality outputs through integrated image correction, calibration, mosaicking, and analytical processing capabilities.
CATALYST OnBoard provides a flexible licensing option for partners who want to embed our proven image processing technology into their own commercial products or data pipelines. It allows you to leverage components of our Earth observation processing capabilities as part of your own solution.
If you are building and selling a product under your own brand but need to integrate specific processing functions from our platform, you would license those capabilities through a CATALYST OnBoard entitlement. This model lets you maintain control of your product development and branding while using trusted technology on the inside.
CATALYST Insights is a subscription-based, web-delivered platform that makes complex Earth observation data easily understandable and actionable for non-expert users. It synthesizes satellite and other measurement data into intuitive visualizations and insights that can be interpreted without specialized remote sensing expertise.
The application is designed to be integrated into existing decision-making and operational workflows. For example, subscribers can receive automated notifications and measurements of land deformation across areas of interest, enabling practical applications such as geotechnical monitoring and infrastructure risk management.
By presenting processed Earth observation results in an accessible format, CATALYST Insights helps organizations rapidly monitor environmental changes, support strategic planning, and incorporate geospatial intelligence into broader analytical systems without requiring a deep technical background in satellite data processing.
CATALYST Professional is licensed exclusively under a subscription model, with flexible terms available on either a monthly or annual basis.
CATALYST Enterprise is offered under both a subscription model and a consumption-based (usage-metered) licensing model, allowing organizations to align licensing structure with operational demand, budgeting strategy, and procurement policies.
Subscription licenses are available for single-user or multi-user deployments, depending on organizational requirements. Licensing is managed through our cloud-based license server, enabling authorized users to access the software from the office, home, or other remote locations, subject to license terms.
Support and maintenance are included for the full duration of the active subscription term, ensuring continuous access to updates, patches, and technical assistance.
For customers who previously purchased a perpetual license for either CATALYST Professional or CATALYST Enterprise, that license remains valid. You may continue to renew the associated Support and Maintenance Agreement (SMA) to maintain entitlement to:
A full list of what is included with your Support and Maintenance Agreement (SMA) see here - Catalyst_Support_Services_Overview.pdf
Trial license keys are valid for seven days from the date of software installation and activation.
To request a trial, complete the form on our Contact webpage, and be sure to select the option indicating that you would like to receive a free trial. Once you have completed the form, a download link will be sent to you by email. Please note that the trial license permits a single installation per email address and per unique machine.
For step-by-step installation and trial guidance, refer to our installation and trial activation video tutorials.
Training resources, tutorials, and technical documentation are available through our Customer Center. The Customer Center provides structured learning materials, step-by-step tutorials, video walkthroughs, product documentation, and best practice guidance to help users get started and deepen their expertise.
Whether you are new to the software or looking to implement advanced workflows, the Customer Center serves as the primary hub for product education and self-guided training.
As the Organization Administrator, log in to the OrgAdmin Dashboard to manage user access and license entitlements. Within the dashboard, you can add or remove users, assign users to groups, and control which entitlements and license keys are available to each user.
For detailed instructions, refer to Step 3 of the Installation Guide.
CATALYST OrgAdmin User Guide: https://catalyst.earth/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OrgAdmin_User_Guide.pdf
CATALYST OrgAdmin Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14tiKfsovGU
Student licenses are available to universities that maintain an active CATALYST Professional site license.
To obtain access, you must coordinate directly with your course instructor or department administrator, as eligibility and distribution are managed at the institutional level under the site license agreement.
If your university is using CATALYST Professional v3 or later, request that your course instructor or department administrator add you to the appropriate CATALYST entitlement through the OrgAdmin dashboard. Once you have been added and receive your invitation, you will be granted access to the university entitlement.
We do not currently provide a native macOS version of our software, and we do not believe the software is supported on ARM-based processors (such as Apple Silicon).
Although macOS is not one of our supported operating systems, some users running older Intel-based macOS systems have been able to use virtualization tools, such as VMware Fusion, to run the software successfully. An example of this approach is demonstrated in the following video:
Only one version of CATALYST Professional can be installed and executed on a single machine at any given time.
Before installing a newer release, you must first uninstall any existing version via the Windows Add or Remove Programs (Apps & Features) control panel to prevent version conflicts and ensure a clean installation.
No, the current installation package is compiled exclusively for 64-bit (x64) architectures and is not compatible with 32-bit (x86) operating systems. Geomatica 2013 was the last release distributed with both 32-bit and 64-bit binaries; all subsequent versions are 64-bit only. Our minimum system specifications are found here - https://catalyst.earth/customer-center/technical-specifications/
If you're using CATALYST Professional version 3+, you need to add entries to the firewall rules, as well as open port 443. The entries needed are:
For versions 2223 and older, you will need to open both Inbound and Outbound UDP ports 5093 and 5099 to allow access to the license server. You will also need to add entries into the firewall for all CATALYST Professional-related products, such as OrthoEngine, Focus, etc.
Yes. Certain satellite data products, including QuickBird and WorldView Ortho Ready Standard imagery, are delivered in segmented tile format. These tiles must be reassembled into complete images prior to analysis using OrthoEngine's Assemble Tiles functionality. https://catalyst.earth/catalyst-system-files/professional-help/tasks/orthoengine_t/Chapter_1020.html
To use CATALYST Python libraries in external environments such as the Command Line or IDEs, ensure that both CATALYST Professional and Python are properly configured to work together.
Verify the setup by importing the library in your Python environment:
python import pci
If the configuration is incorrect, you may encounter these error messages:
No module named 'pci'
Failed to initialize the PCI Pluggable Framework…
ImportError: DLL load failed
Follow these steps in order, testing 'import pci' after each step:
cmd cd C:\pythonXXpython your_script.py
If these steps don't resolve the issue, contact [email protected] for further assistance.
We follow an agile development methodology with a structured release cycle that delivers two major releases per year, along with ongoing enhancements and maintenance updates in between.
Our subscription licenses include support and software updates for the duration of the active term. As a result, subscribers receive access to new features, performance improvements, and patches as they are released, ensuring they remain current with the latest capabilities.
Our subscription licenses are available in one-month increments at a minimum.
If you require more flexible, short-term usage, including hourly-based access, the software can be deployed through our listing on the AWS Marketplace or accessed via GeoCloud. These options are well-suited for temporary projects, burst processing requirements, or operational environments that benefit from consumption-based billing.
GeoCloud - https://www.geocloud.work/
AWS Marketplace - https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-ggc5fpyelp5na
Yes, the software can be deployed and operated in a secure, offline environment.
By default, licensing is managed through cloud-based keys, which require an internet connection to validate and maintain license authorization. However, for organizations operating in restricted or disconnected environments, we provide dedicated offline licensing options.
Two tools are available:
Detailed setup and configuration instructions are available in the following tutorials:
PCI Geomatics continues to exist as the corporate entity. CATALYST is our new brand identity under which all products, solutions, and external marketing activities are presented.
All current and future product offerings are being aligned under the CATALYST brand. For example:
Going forward, new products and solutions will follow the CATALYST naming convention.
In addition, our outward-facing presence has transitioned to the CATALYST brand. This includes our website, CATALYST.earth, as well as event registrations, marketing materials, and corporate communications.
