Bentley Systems
Encyclopedia
Bentley Systems, Incorporated is a software company that produces solutions for the design, construction and operation of infrastructure. The company’s software serves the building, plant, civil, and geospatial vertical market
s in the areas of architecture
, engineering
, construction
(AEC) and operations. Their software solutions are used to design, engineer, build and operate large constructed assets such as roadways, railways, bridge
s, buildings, industrial and power plants and utility
networks. The company actively re-invests 20% of their revenues in research and development.
Bentley Systems is based in Exton, Pennsylvania
, USA but has development, sales and other departments in 51 countries around the world. The company had revenues exceeding $500 million in 2008.
's VAX
systems to use low-cost graphics terminals to view and modify the designs on their Intergraph IGDS (Interactive Graphics Design System) installations. This greatly expanded access to such designs, which could otherwise be accessed only through very expensive special purpose workstations. The product was shown to potential users who were polled as to what they would be willing to pay it. The Bentley brothers then decided to simply average the results, thus arriving at a price of $7,943.
The Bentley's PseudoStation experience convinced them that there was a ready market for a stand-alone personal computer-based CAD system compatible with the Intergraph CAD file format. At the time, the IBM
AT personal computer, based on Intel's 80286 microprocessor, was just becoming available, and their tests showed that it had enough processing power, disk speed, and graphics capability to do the job. MicroStation
Version 1, which allowed users to download files directly from their VAX system to their PC to view and plot them (a very primitive Bentley View), was introduced to the market in 1986.
. MicroStation is a desktop 2D/3D CAD platform upon which Bentley and third-party software companies build more specific solutions. For example, Bentley Map is an extension from Bentley that runs on top of MicroStation adding GIS and spatial capabilities to the CAD program.
Bentley has a history of buying companies that fit into one of their four product verticals (Geospatial, Civil, Plant and Building). In July 2004, Bentley purchased Haestad Methods, adding water/wastewater modeling tools and simulation engines to their software portfolio. In 2007 Bentley acquired the RAM and STAAD applications adding to their structural analysis and design product lines. In 2009, Bentley entered the Geotechnical space by acquiring gINT Software.
Apart from desktop applications, Bentley also has a few server applications. The most prominent application created is a Project collaboration and AECO content management solution called ProjectWise
.
Bentley is a provider of Building Information Modeling
(BIM) solutions for the Architecture, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical engineering disciplines.
Bentley also provides GenerativeComponents
, a parametric
modeling solution used primarily by architects and engineers in building design.
The current versions of a majority of Bentley products were published in fall 2008 and are branded V8i.
Infrastructure Value above as measured by reported net tangible fixed assets.
, Autodesk
, ESRI
, Buhodra Ingeniería and AVEVA in the AEC, GIS and CAD software markets.
Vertical market
A vertical market is a group of similar businesses and customers that engage in trade based on specific and specialized needs. Often, participants in a vertical market are very limited to a subset of a larger industry...
s in the areas of architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, construction
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
(AEC) and operations. Their software solutions are used to design, engineer, build and operate large constructed assets such as roadways, railways, bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
s, buildings, industrial and power plants and utility
Public utility
A public utility is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service . Public utilities are subject to forms of public control and regulation ranging from local community-based groups to state-wide government monopolies...
networks. The company actively re-invests 20% of their revenues in research and development.
Bentley Systems is based in Exton, Pennsylvania
Exton, Pennsylvania
Exton is a census-designated place in West Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. Its population was 4,842 at the 2010 census. The Exton Square Mall is located within Exton along with several other shopping centers, making Exton the major shopping district in Chester...
, USA but has development, sales and other departments in 51 countries around the world. The company had revenues exceeding $500 million in 2008.
History
Keith A. Bentley, in conjunction with his brother, Barry J. Bentley, founded Bentley Systems in 1984. They introduced the commercial version of PseudoStation in 1985, which allowed users of IntergraphIntergraph
Intergraph Corporation is an American software development and services company. It provides enterprise engineering and geospatially powered software to businesses, governments, and organizations around the world. Intergraph operates through two divisions: Process, Power & Marine and Security,...
's VAX
VAX
VAX was an instruction set architecture developed by Digital Equipment Corporation in the mid-1970s. A 32-bit complex instruction set computer ISA, it was designed to extend or replace DEC's various Programmed Data Processor ISAs...
systems to use low-cost graphics terminals to view and modify the designs on their Intergraph IGDS (Interactive Graphics Design System) installations. This greatly expanded access to such designs, which could otherwise be accessed only through very expensive special purpose workstations. The product was shown to potential users who were polled as to what they would be willing to pay it. The Bentley brothers then decided to simply average the results, thus arriving at a price of $7,943.
The Bentley's PseudoStation experience convinced them that there was a ready market for a stand-alone personal computer-based CAD system compatible with the Intergraph CAD file format. At the time, the IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
AT personal computer, based on Intel's 80286 microprocessor, was just becoming available, and their tests showed that it had enough processing power, disk speed, and graphics capability to do the job. MicroStation
Microstation
MicroStation is a CAD software product for 2- and 3-dimensional design and drafting, developed and sold by Bentley Systems. The latest versions of the software are released solely for Microsoft Windows operating systems, but historically MicroStation was available for Macintosh platforms and a...
Version 1, which allowed users to download files directly from their VAX system to their PC to view and plot them (a very primitive Bentley View), was introduced to the market in 1986.
Software
Bentley's principal software solution is MicroStationMicrostation
MicroStation is a CAD software product for 2- and 3-dimensional design and drafting, developed and sold by Bentley Systems. The latest versions of the software are released solely for Microsoft Windows operating systems, but historically MicroStation was available for Macintosh platforms and a...
. MicroStation is a desktop 2D/3D CAD platform upon which Bentley and third-party software companies build more specific solutions. For example, Bentley Map is an extension from Bentley that runs on top of MicroStation adding GIS and spatial capabilities to the CAD program.
Bentley has a history of buying companies that fit into one of their four product verticals (Geospatial, Civil, Plant and Building). In July 2004, Bentley purchased Haestad Methods, adding water/wastewater modeling tools and simulation engines to their software portfolio. In 2007 Bentley acquired the RAM and STAAD applications adding to their structural analysis and design product lines. In 2009, Bentley entered the Geotechnical space by acquiring gINT Software.
Apart from desktop applications, Bentley also has a few server applications. The most prominent application created is a Project collaboration and AECO content management solution called ProjectWise
ProjectWise
ProjectWise is a suite of engineering project collaboration software from Bentley Systems designed for the architecture, engineering, construction industries. It helps project teams manage, share and distribute engineering project content and review in a single platform...
.
Bentley is a provider of Building Information Modeling
Building Information Modeling
Building information modeling is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle.BIM involves representing a design as objects – vague and undefined, generic or product-specific, solid shapes or void-space oriented , that carry their geometry, relations and attributes...
(BIM) solutions for the Architecture, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical engineering disciplines.
Bentley also provides GenerativeComponents
GenerativeComponents
GenerativeComponents is parametric CAD software developed by Bentley Systems, was first introduced in 2003, became increasingly used in practice by early 2005, and was commercially released in November 2007. GenerativeComponents has a strong traditional base of users in academia and at...
, a parametric
Parametric
Parametric may refer to:*Parametric equation*Parametric statistics*Parametric derivative*Parametric plot*Parametric model*Parametric oscillator *Parametric contract*Parametric insurance*Parametric feature based modeler...
modeling solution used primarily by architects and engineers in building design.
The current versions of a majority of Bentley products were published in fall 2008 and are branded V8i.
Bentley Infrastructure 500
Since 2010, Bentley has created a worldwide ranking of the top owners of infrastructure around the world from both the public and private sectors that will be published annually. According to Bentley, the sum of all the infrastructure assets in the hands of these companies add up to US$ 13 trillion, which is equivalent to the annual GDP of the U.S..| Rank | Organization | Headquarters Country | Infrastructure Value (millions USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT | United States | 282,700 |
| 2 | ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE SA - EDF | France | 186,466 |
| 3 | JOINT STOCK COMPANY GAZPROM | Russia | 161,813 |
| 4 | PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED | China | 155,973 |
| 5 | EXXON MOBIL CORP | United States | 139,116 |
| 6 | PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A. - PETROBRAS | Brazil | 132,286 |
| 7 | ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC | Netherlands | 129,149 |
| 8 | U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY | United States | 122,145 |
| 9 | ENEL SPA | Italy | 113,951 |
| 10 | NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION | Japan | 107,856 |
Infrastructure Value above as measured by reported net tangible fixed assets.
See also
Bentley competes with AND Solution, IntergraphIntergraph
Intergraph Corporation is an American software development and services company. It provides enterprise engineering and geospatially powered software to businesses, governments, and organizations around the world. Intergraph operates through two divisions: Process, Power & Marine and Security,...
, Autodesk
Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is an American multinational corporation that focuses on 3D design software for use in the architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, media and entertainment industries. The company was founded in 1982 by John Walker, a coauthor of the first versions of the company's...
, ESRI
ESRI
Esri is a software development and services company providing Geographic Information System software and geodatabase management applications. The headquarters of Esri is in Redlands, California....
, Buhodra Ingeniería and AVEVA in the AEC, GIS and CAD software markets.
External links
- Bentley Systems web site
- BE Communities by Bentley
- Bentley site for Building Information Modeling
- GenerativeComponents web site
- Bentley Structural solutions web site
- BIM Executive Summits sponsored by Bentley
- Advanced Parametric design conference site featuring Bentley software users
- Independent help and Forum Group for users of Bentley's GenerativeComponents software
- Be Careers Network - Bentley's post-secondary school outreach program