About Xara Group


Xara was founded in 1981 and has been successfully developing software on a variety of platforms for the entire history of the PC industry. Xara released their first Windows product in 1994 and has been actively involved in the Internet since 1995.

Xara's first Windows product was launched in 1994, a mainstream vector illustration package called Xara X (subsequently distributed by Corel under the name CorelXARA).

Xara has since launched a range of independent graphics products aimed specifically at Web graphic designers, including Xara Webster, Xara3D, Xara Webstyle and most recently Menu Maker and the fun screensaver maker, Screenmaker 3D. With the end of the Corel agreement in 2000, Xara once more has the opportunity to distribute this world class drawing package alongside its other products.

Xara took an early interest in the Internet and although its ISP interests were sold in 1997, Xara remains completely committed to the Internet, both in terms of software distribution and development direction.

The Xara Online division was formed upon the purchase of the ZY Modules division from Zyris PLC in 2001. Since then the founders of Xara Online have shared a vision of a world where non-technical users can create and build custom web-based applications without any programming. Using open Web Services standards and exploiting the many advantages that Web Services bring, Xara Online has developed an easy-to-use, modular, building block solution for webmasters and marketers to enrich their websites.

These modular Web Services, known as Xara Modules are based upon the new standards such as XML and SOAP and are compatible with .NET. The Xara Modules are believed to be the world's first set of commercially available Web Services aimed at the non-programmer market such as Webmasters and Marketing departments.

Xara Online provide two ranges of Xara modules. The graphics Modules utilize Xara Graphics technology to enable businesses to improve the look and feel of their website. The new 'connected Data Modules' built on XML Web Services are building blocks for database enabling websites, for creating messaging and CRM applications and for small businesses to get the 'big business' look, feel and functionality from their website.

The next strategic phase for the company is to provide a range of ready made 'Out of the Box' online applications, built using Xara Modules, and to provide both these and the clientside products through a new and rapidly expanding reseller and OEM distribution channel.

Company worldwide HQ is based at Gaddesden Place, a Grade 2 listed mansion standing in eight acres of parkland in the Hertfordshire countryside, just outside of London, UK. Xara Group is a UK limited company (a privately held corporation), under the same ownership since 1981.


Xara Timeline
1981 Began operations
1980's Became largest independent software developer in the UK
1991 Began production of Windows-based software
1994 Launched Xara Studio
1994 Signed marketing deal with Corel: Xara Studio relaunched as CorelXARA
1995 Launched the xara.com web site
1995 Founded new company within the Xara Group, Xara Networks, one of the first ISPs in the UK.
1996 Launched Xara Webster
1997 Began online sales and launched Xara3D
1997 Launched Buyfonts.com
1998 Sold Xara Networks to GX Networks
1998 Launched Webstyle
2000 End of Corel agreement. CorelXARA has new beginning as Xara X
2000 Xara Online formed
2001 World's first .Net graphic web service created in August
2001 Launched the 3D Heading Maker--a SOAP based Web Service
2002 Launched Xara Online Data Manager connectable modules
2002 Launched Xara3D 5 in August
2002 Launched Xara Menu Maker in October
2003 Launched Online applications Text Me, Site Updater, File Protect
2003 Launched Xara ScreenMaker 3D in July.
2003 Launched Webstyle 4 in October