PackMan was developed by Abacus Productions, Inc., a database consulting firm founded in 1980.  Abacus Productions has more than 25 years experience in the design and implementation of customized network and Internet-based database applications.  Abacus has provided extensive services for the entertainment, direct marketing, financial, and health care industries, and has completed projects for such organizations as Mutual of Omaha, Sara Lee, March of Dimes, Marist College and Chase Manhattan Bank.

Abacus Productions created the PackMan Tracking Software™ resource-tracking system in 1996 to fulfill the needs of companies challenged with providing services for live events in the audio/visual industry.  These businesses typically own a large amount of equipment, and they need to ship it and deploy it in a wide variety of locations on a hectic schedule.  The PackMan rental management software allows them to keep track of all their gear, the events where that gear is used, as well as the people needed to pack, configure, and operate it.  The system is notable for its tight integration with QuickBooks accounting software.

Abacus Productions has its roots in the motion picture industry.  Before turning to software design full-time, Abacus operated as an animation studio in New York City producing special-effect graphics for television commercials.  Its earliest consulting clients were other film production companies that needed to computerize the many diverse tasks involved in managing crews and gear for commercial film shoots.