Bentley Systems Acquires 3D Geospatial Leader Cesium, Expanding Digital Twin Capabilities
Bentley Systems, Incorporated (Nasdaq: BSY), a global leader in infrastructure engineering software, has announced the acquisition of Cesium, a 3D geospatial technology company. Cesium is renowned for its open platform used by enterprises, governments, and developers worldwide, with its 3D Tiles standard and Cesium ion SaaS platform being key to creating powerful 3D geospatial applications.
The acquisition aims to enhance Bentley’s iTwin Platform, which is widely used by engineering and construction firms to design, build, and operate infrastructure. The integration of Cesium’s 3D geospatial data capabilities with iTwin allows developers to create digital twins that combine engineering, IoT, subsurface, and reality data, offering a comprehensive, 3D view of infrastructure from macro to micro scales.
Nicholas Cumins, CEO of Bentley Systems, remarked: “A 3D geospatial view is the most intuitive way for infrastructure professionals to search for and visualize information. The combination of Cesium and iTwin enables better-informed decision-making within a seamless, high-performance environment.”
Patrick Cozzi, CEO of Cesium, highlighted the synergy between the two platforms, stating: “Bentley’s acquisition of Cesium is a significant milestone in creating the best developer platform for the built and natural environment, based on open standards and open-source technologies.”
Companies like Komatsu, one of the world's largest construction equipment manufacturers, already use Cesium’s technology to monitor global construction sites. With Cesium now integrated into Bentley, Komatsu will have access to advanced digital twin technology, enabling more precise and efficient construction management.
The acquisition solidifies Bentley and Cesium’s commitment to open standards and interoperability in the geospatial industry, as noted by Peter Rabley, CEO of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC).
While financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed, Patrick Cozzi will join Bentley as Chief Platform Officer, leading the combined Cesium and iTwin platform development.
