Our story
Sitation helps retailers, distributors, brands and manufacturers put their product data to work, with PIM, MDM and DAM implementation, managed services, AI and Plezio software. It began in 2001 as a one-person web company and is now a Salsify Platinum, Akeneo Gold and Stibo Systems Gold partner.
Our story starts in 2001
- 2001
A first job, and a new start
Steve Engelbrecht, Sitation’s founder and CEO, has just completed undergraduate studies at Cornell University and is about to start his first real job at a large, well-funded startup outside Boston. His first day of work is September 10, 2001. On his second day, the world changes. Five weeks later, Steve, along with a third of all employees, is laid off.
- 2001
Sitation begins in Somerville
In October 2001, Sitation is established from Steve’s rented apartment in Somerville, MA. To find paid work, Steve calls on the handful of clients he worked with as an undergraduate at Cornell, building small business websites.
Before long Sitation is involved in all kinds of web projects, from finance and real estate to engineering and politics. One project earns recognition in the Forbes “Best of the Web” awards in the travel category.
- 2003
A move to Syracuse
Steve and Sitation relocate to Syracuse, NY, Steve’s hometown. Sitation grows to three employees and works with B2B clients experimenting with how far they can push business web applications.
- 2014
A focus on product information
After his MBA at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Steve spends five years as a management consultant focused on enterprise e-commerce in retail, working with some of the most recognized names in office products, home improvement and automotive. Sitation charts a course to focus on digital merchandising and product information management (PIM), working with retailers and distributors.
- 2019
Investing in growth
With five years of success as an independent consultant focused on PIM and MDM, Steve decides to invest in growth. Four employees join Sitation in February 2019, and we never look back. In this period of growth:
- 2021
On the Inc. 5000, twice
Two and a half years later, Sitation has 35 employees and has grown revenue by 1,274% over three years, earning #379 on the 2021 Inc. 5000 list. Sitation is now a mid-sized company with well-established partnerships and dozens of enterprise clients.
In 2022, Sitation is honored a second time in the top 500 of the Inc. 5000, at #418.
- 2022
AI product content wins a hackathon
After months of experimentation, Sitation builds a working prototype that consistently generates high-quality product content using artificial intelligence, and wins the 2022 Salsify Partner Hackathon.
- 2023
Salsify’s first Platinum Partner
Sitation is named Salsify’s first Platinum Implementation Partner, recognizing excellence in project delivery, customer satisfaction and technical know-how. Headcount is now nearly 60 people as Sitation keeps investing in a world-class delivery team.
- 2023
Plezio Draft reaches the market
While building its services for product information management and digital merchandising, Sitation productizes its AI content work and introduces Plezio Draft (formerly RoughDraftPro).
- 2024
Double honors at Akeneo Unlock
Sitation shares the Global PXM Champion Award with its client Insight at Akeneo Unlock 2024 in Boston, and receives the Akeneo Growth Award for the second consecutive year. Read more.
- 2025
Stibo Systems Delivery Partner of the Year
Stibo Systems names Sitation its 2025 North America Delivery Partner of the Year at the annual Path Summit in Chicago. Read more.
- 2026
Gold with Stibo Systems, and new awards
Sitation advances to Gold Partner in the Stibo Systems partner program and is named its 2026 Silver Partner of the Year (read more). Aidrian, the AI product support agent Sitation built for the 2026 Stibo Systems Hackathon, is one of four finalists from 20 entries (read more). With AutoQuotes from Revalize, Sitation also wins the Growth Architect Award in the 2026 Akeneo PX Champion Awards (read more).
Company facts
- What we do
- Product data services (PIM, MDM, DAM implementation, managed services, AI) and Plezio software
- Founded
- October 2001, in Somerville, Massachusetts
- Founder and CEO
- Steve Engelbrecht
- Team
- About 50 people
- Headquarters
- 800 W. Williams St., Suite 251, Apex, NC 27502
- Clients
- More than 400 retailers, distributors, brands and manufacturers
- Partner status
- Salsify Platinum Solution Partner (the first); Akeneo Certified Gold Partner; Stibo Systems Gold Partner; Syndigo Silver Partner
- Salsify
- More than 200 Salsify implementations
- Recognition
- Stibo Systems 2025 North America Delivery Partner of the Year
- Standards and security
- GS1 US Gold Solution Partner; SOC 2 Type II
Sitation today
The same focus on product information, now delivered through services, software and a growing team.
Services
Managed services, AI digital transformation, PIM, MDM and DAM implementation, and engineering and delivery teams.
Explore servicesPlezio software
Six products that collect, structure, enrich and distribute product data alongside your PIM.
Explore PlezioOur team
Meet the consultants, architects, engineers and analysts who do the work.
Meet the team
Ready to write the next chapter with us?
Tell us about your product data, PIM or AI goals.
