Engineering software company Bentley Systems has made a strategic move by acquiring 3D geospatial company Cesium.
- This acquisition promises to enhance Bentley’s digital platform, creating a comprehensive tool for infrastructure management.
- Cesium’s technology is already widely adopted, boasting over ten million downloads of its open-source products.
- The integration will benefit industries such as construction, offering precise geospatial insights for improved decision-making.
- Key industry players like Komatsu see the merger as an opportunity to enrich their smart construction solutions.
In a significant strategic move, engineering software company Bentley Systems has acquired 3D geospatial company Cesium. This acquisition marks a step towards enhancing Bentley’s iTwin platform, which offers robust digital twin solutions utilised extensively in designing, building, and operating infrastructure. Cesium’s platform provides an open standard for creating 3D geospatial applications, which aligns seamlessly with Bentley’s objectives to offer a comprehensive digital environment for both built and natural landscapes.
By integrating Cesium’s technology, Bentley aims to provide infrastructure professionals with the tools needed to align complex 3D geospatial data with various engineering and enterprise datasets. As Bentley’s chief executive, Nicholas Cumins, noted, “A 3D geospatial view is the most intuitive way for owner-operators and engineering services providers to search for, query, and visualise information about infrastructure networks and assets.” This synergy promises to foster better-informed decision-making within a cohesive, high-performance platform.
Cesium’s history of innovation, starting from its origins at Analytical Graphics Inc, has positioned it as a leader in 3D geospatial technology. With over ten million downloads of its open-source products and a thriving developer ecosystem using Cesium ion—boasting over a million devices accessing it monthly—Cesium has demonstrated its ability to underpin complex geospatial experiences.
The merger is anticipated to significantly benefit the construction industry. Komatsu, a leading manufacturer of construction machinery, already utilises Cesium’s 3D technology in monitoring construction sites globally. With Cesium merged into Bentley, Komatsu foresees enriched digital twin capabilities, incorporating detailed engineering models and subsurface data to enhance the safety and efficiency of construction projects.
Both companies are united in their commitment to open standards and open-source technologies. Patrick Cozzi, now Bentley’s chief platform officer, emphasised this commitment, noting the potential for growth and added value within the developer community. The combination aims to bring new growth opportunities, from small start-ups to established enterprises, by leveraging their shared vision for openness and innovation.
The acquisition of Cesium by Bentley Systems heralds a new era of enhanced digital solutions for infrastructure management across various industries.
