Evolving with Technology: The Next Chapter for Forge
- Alex @ Forge
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Technology is constantly evolving, seemingly at an accelerating rate, particularly in the last decade and the tools, platforms and expectations that shape digital mapping and outdoor navigation are no exception. To ensure we stayed on track to continue providing accurate digital maps and reliable information, we've had to adapt continuously. From using Esri and developing the Forge app, to hosting maps on Avenza and partnering with Outdooractive, each chapter has helped us better serve the outdoor community while remaining true to our original purpose: helping people explore the outdoors safely, confidently and with access to information they can trust.
The Esri years
When Forge was registered in 2017, one of our first major milestones was being accepted into the Esri Startup Program. The three-year bursary programme gave us access to the full suite of Esri products, including ArcGIS Pro, widely considered the world's best GIS platform. For a young company with a passion for accurate digital mapping, being accepted into the program affirmed our vision and provided the tools needed to start turning ideas into reality.
The program played a pivotal role in helping us build the Forge app launched in 2019, and the interactive maps that feature on our website. It laid the foundation for helping outdoor enthusiasts discover and navigate South Africa's trails and protected areas more safely and confidently.
Adapting to an ever-changing tech landscape
The technology landscape in the last 10 years has evolved at an extraordinary pace. Throughout Forge's journey, we have continually adapted to new technologies being introduced and others being shelved. All the while, users' expectations have also kept changing, keeping us on our toes to continue delivering mapping and navigation solutions.
One of the most significant changes came in August 2025, when tech changes in the form of tool and software deprecation forced our hand, leading to the inevitable retirement of the Forge mobile app after six successful years. While this marked the end of an important chapter, it also created an opportunity to rethink how we deliver our maps. This encouraged us rather to pull back on creating our own app platform and focus on the maps. We have since published geo-referenced static hiking maps, available through the Avenza Maps app, allowing users to download maps for offline use and continue navigating confidently, even without mobile network coverage. Here too, the reliance on external entities in the tech space has reared its head, with Avenza announcing the wind-down of their hosting of maps on their platform in the coming year.
A new partnership, a renewed direction
As part of our evolution, we entered into a partnership with Outdooractive in January 2026, becoming its official and exclusive South African B2B reseller and its first partner on the African continent. Outdooractive is one of the world's leading outdoor navigation and travel platforms, connecting tourism professionals with millions of outdoor enthusiasts through trusted, official content.
We believe Outdooractive represents the future of digital visitor guidance in adventure tourism in South Africa. Beyond helping tourism businesses market their experiences, the platform enables destinations, conservation agencies and trail managers to communicate directly with visitors, improve safety, and provide up-to-date information through a modern and scalable digital ecosystem.
As a result, we have begun transitioning our own content to Outdooractive, including recreating selected hiking routes on Table Mountain, while phasing out our legacy Esri-based web maps. Farewell to a memorable and important chapter
In the week of 1 June 2026, our nine-year journey with Esri officially comes to an end as the last of our interactive reserve, park and botanical garden web maps are retired. Fittingly, the date also coincides with the anniversary of the Forge app's launch in 2019, making it a symbolic milestone in our company's evolution. While it is difficult to say goodbye to technology we have invested many hours into and that has played such an important role in our story, we remain immensely grateful for the opportunity the Esri Startup Program initially provided and the role Esri’s services subsequently played in helping Forge grow.
Looking ahead
For our users, very little changes in the short term. Our maps remain available through Avenza Maps, where they can be downloaded and used offline. Looking ahead, our focus is on growing South Africa's presence on Outdooractive and supporting tourism businesses, destinations and conservation agencies with the next generation of digital mapping, visitor engagement and outdoor navigation tools. As South Africa's Outdooractive partner, we are committed to helping tourism organisations showcase their unique experiences to local and international audiences while providing their visitors with reliable, up-to-date information they can trust.
Whether helping people discover a new hiking trail, navigate a nature reserve safely, or plan their next outdoor adventure, our goal remains unchanged: to connect people with the outdoors through accurate information, intuitive technology, and trusted digital maps.
