The Future of Infrastructure Engineering: Embracing Openness
“The future of infrastructure engineering is open.” This bold declaration from Nicholas Cumins, CEO of Bentley Systems, set the tone for the Year in Infrastructure (YII) 2024 conference in Vancouver. As Bentley celebrates its 40th anniversary, the company, celebrated for its cutting-edge software tools like ProjectWise and MicroStation, is at a pivotal point in its journey.
Celebrating Legacy and Innovation
Founded in the mid-1980s by five brothers, Bentley Systems has become synonymous with innovation in the engineering software industry. Over the decades, the firm has successfully navigated technological waves through clever acquisitions and strategic growth, evolving into a NASDAQ-listed company valued at over $1 billion. Projects like London’s Elizabeth Line and New York’s Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge highlight the impact of Bentley’s tools across landmark infrastructures.
However, Cumins noted a significant transformation underway — a shift towards a more open approach. Historically, Bentley’s software offerings, including MicroStation and ProjectWise, had a limited reach on platforms like macOS due to the company’s long-term partnership with Microsoft. This oversight placed Bentley at odds with a segment of its user base, particularly designers and architects who lean towards Apple products.
Openness: The New Paradigm
During his keynote, Cumins addressed the complexities of modern infrastructure projects, which often include multiple teams and organizations. He emphasized the need for ecosystems that enable flexibility, integration, and interoperability across diverse tools and platforms. This is particularly crucial in the post-pandemic era, where collaboration and shared data have become paramount.
With the introduction of the iTwin infrastructure engineering platform, Bentley has made strides toward fostering a more open data ecosystem based on open source, open standards, and APIs. This initiative seeks not only to facilitate better data flow but also to enhance the understanding of data’s meaning, enabling engineers and organizations to leverage their resources fully.
A New Era: MicroStation 2024
Another key highlight was the launch of MicroStation 2024, which offers improved functionalities, including support for macOS and Linux. This latest version also provides Python scripting capabilities, further appealing to a broader range of users. Bentley’s openness is underscored by its commitment to contributing to the open-source community surrounding the iTwin product.
Strategic Partnerships: Data-Driven Insights
An exciting announcement from YII 2024 included Bentley’s partnership with Google. This collaboration merges Google’s extensive geospatial data with Bentley’s infrastructure software, paving the way for a seamless flow of information. Cumins spoke passionately about how this integration would enable users to access comprehensive and actionable geospatial insights, leveraging both companies’ strengths.
Moreover, Bentley’s acquisition of Cesium — a company specializing in 3D geospatial data — promises to enhance the visual and functional capabilities of Bentley’s offerings. This move allows for the creation of photorealistic 3D models that can be utilized in various applications, from urban planning to gaming.
The Role of AI in Infrastructure
One of the most transformative technologies discussed at YII 2024 is Generative AI (GenAI). Cumins highlighted that the infrastructure sector generates massive amounts of data, yet only about 10% is ever utilized. Bentley aims to unlock this dormant data potential. The introduction of OpenSite+, an AI-infused upgrade of their existing OpenSite Designer, reflects this commitment. This tool is designed to streamline the process of creating, analyzing, and optimizing site layouts.
The application of AI in engineering projects, as demonstrated by Bentley’s collaboration with the consultancy Pennoni, has shown promising results. By incorporating various datasets—from CAD files to Google Maps—AI can guide designers through feasibility assessments, expediting the design process and enhancing accuracy.
Sustainability for the Future
In addition to technological advancements, Bentley Systems unveiled a groundbreaking free tool for carbon analysis during the conference. This new capability, built into the iTwin Experience platform, allows engineers to identify and address carbon footprints during early project stages. In turn, this helps ensure that sustainability becomes integral to infrastructure design.
Cumins emphasized that such innovations transform tedious carbon reporting into a more automated and streamlined process, enabling more responsible and environmental-conscious engineering practices.
Awards and Recognition
Bentley also used the YII2024 platform to celebrate projects focused on existing infrastructures. The awards evening showcased efforts in brownfield site inspection, acknowledging projects like the Ohio Falls River Crossing Towers. This recognition underscores Bentley’s commitment to sustainability and existing asset management.
Conclusion: Navigating the Future of Engineering
As Bentley Systems embarks on this new chapter under the leadership of Nicholas Cumins, the emphasis on openness and robust data integration is clearer than ever. By harnessing advanced technologies like AI and fostering partnerships with industry leaders, Bentley aims to redefine the landscape of infrastructure engineering.
In this era marked by complexity and an increasing reliance on collaborative ecosystems, the future indeed looks bright for engineers seeking innovative and sustainable solutions. As Bentley Systems continues to explore uncharted territories, it does so with the profound understanding that openness and interoperability are the keys to overcoming tomorrow’s infrastructure challenges.
