Bentley Systems is headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania, United States, but has development, sales and other departments in over 50 countries. In 2021, the company generated revenue of $1 billion in 186 countries.[3]
Software
Bentley has three principal software product lines: MicroStation, ProjectWise, and AssetWise.[citation needed] Since 2014, some products have been based on the Microsoft Azurecloud computing platform.[4][5] In 2024, it continues to sell software lines such as MicroStation and ProjectWise, as well as several dozen others such as SYNCHRO and OpenRoads Designer.[6]
History
Retired logo and wordmark
Keith A. Bentley and Barry J. Bentley founded Bentley Systems in 1984.[7] They introduced the commercial version of PseudoStation in 1985, which allowed users of Intergraph's VAX systems to use low-cost graphics terminals to view and modify the designs on their Intergraph IGDS (Interactive Graphics Design System) installations.[8] Their first product was shown to potential users who were polled as to what they would be willing to pay for it. They averaged the answers, arriving at a price of $7,943.[9] A DOS-based version of MicroStation was introduced in 1986.[10]
In April 2002, Bentley filed for an initial public offering,[11] but it was withdrawn before taking effect.[12] In November 2016, German-based Siemens announced it would pay about $76 million for a minority stake in Bentley, as well as invest in developing joint software with it.[13] In September 2020, Bentley Systems sets terms of its IPO valuing the company at about $4.96 billion. The company would offer 10.75 million shares priced between $17 and $19 per share.[14][15] In October 2024, Bentley Systems began using Google 2D and 3D geospatial content in some of its software. Nicholas Cumins was Bentley chief officer.[16]
Acquisitions
On June 18, 1997, Bentley acquired IdeaGraphix, a developer of MicroStation-based application software for architecture, engineering, and facilities management.[17] On January 15, 1998, Bentley acquired Jacobus.[18] On January 2, 2001, Bentley acquired Intergraph's civil engineering, plot-services and raster conversion software businesses.[19] On October 17, 2001, Bentley Systems bought Geopak design software for road and rail infrastructure.[20]
Bentley Systems acquired Rebis in 2003,[21] Infrasoft Corporation in 2003,[22] Haestad Methods, Inc. in 2004,[23] and then agreed to acquire netGuru's Research Engineers International (REI) business which included its STAAD structural analysis and design product line on August 31, 2005.[24] Bentley acquired GEF-RIS AG in 2006,[25] KIWI Software in 2007,[26] C.W. Beilfuss and Associates in 2007,[27] and TDV GmbH, an analysis and design software provider for bridge engineering, in May 2007.[28]
In early 2008, Bentley acquired Hevacomp, Ltd.,[29] LEAP Software, Inc.,[30] the promis•e product line from ECT International,[31] and Common Point for mainstream construction simulation.[32]
On October 13, 2009, Bentley added geotechnical and geoenvironmental capabilities with the acquisition of gINT Software.[33] On February 9, 2010, Bentley Systems announced two acquisitions: Exor Corporation and Enterprise Informatics.[34] On March 2, 2011, Bentley Systems acquired SACS software for offshore structural analysis from Engineering Dynamics, Inc.[35] Also in 2011, Bentley acquired FormSys[36] and Pointools Ltd., a British developer of point-cloud software technology.[37]
In 2012, Bentley acquired the elcoSystem software business of Hannappel Software,[38] as well as InspectTech Systems, USA, a provider of field inspection applications and asset management services for bridges and other transportation assets.[39] Also that year it acquired Canadian-based Ivara,[40] the Microprotol pressure vessel design and analysis software from EuResearch,[41] and SpecWave.[42] In 2013, Bentley acquired topoGRAPH, a provider of surveying software,[43] as well as the MOSES software business from Ultramarine.[44] On February 25, 2014, Bentley acquired DocQnet Systems’ eB Services BizDocQnet Systems.[45] Later that year, it acquired SITEOPS, optimization software for enhanced land development site design, from Blueridge Analytics.[46] Bentley acquired C3global for predictive modeling in 2015,[47] and also that year acquired Acute3D,[48] and the reality modeling creator e-on.[49]
In 2016, Bentley acquired the progressive assurance platform ComplyPro from UK-based ComplyServe.[50]
On January 23, 2018, Bentley acquired S-Cube Futuretech Pvt Ltd. to expand its offerings specific to the concrete engineering design and documentation software users in India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.[51][52] On April 26, 2018, Bentley acquired Dutch geotechnical modelling company Plaxis B.V.[53] On July 15, 2018, Bentley acquired Canadian geotechnical modeling company SOILVISION Systems Ltd. in order to enhance its 3D geotechnical offerings.[53] Also in 2018, the company acquired Synchro,[54] Agency9,[55]LEGION,[56] ACE enterprise Slovakia,[57] and Alworx.[58]
In 2019, Bentley acquired SignCAD Systems,[59] Keynetix,[60] and Citilabs, Inc. & Orbit GeoSpatial Technologies.[61] In 2020, Bentley acquired UK based consultancy Professional Construction Strategies Group (PCSG),[62] and SRO Solutions.[62] In 2021, Bentley acquired Ontracks Consulting,[63] INRO Software,[64] SPIDA Software,[65] and Seequent Holdings Limited,[66] and in 2022 acquisitions included Power Line Systems,[67]ADINA R&D, Inc.,[68] and Eagle.io.[69] In 2023, Bentley acquired Salt Lake City, Utah-based Blyncsy, a provider of breakthrough artificial intelligence services for departments of transportation to support operations and maintenance activities.[70][71] In September 2024, Bentley announced the acquisition of Cesium GS, Inc., a provider of 3D geospatial software applications and platforms.[72]
