BE Magazine Interviews Dr. James Hill on NIST's Interoperability Study,Tony Flynn on 'The Costly Indifference of Autodesk'

01 March 2005 - Exton, Pa. - Bentley Systems, Incorporated today announced that the newest issue of BE Magazine features interviews with Dr. James Hill of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on a recent eye-opening study, and with Bentley Chief Marketing Officer Tony Flynn on "The Costly Indifference of Autodesk." BE Magazine, which is electronically distributed to more than 220,000 readers, is dedicated to Bentley users and their work improving the world's infrastructure and increasing quality of life.

In BE Magazine's first issue of 2005, the editors follow up on the recent NIST study that found $15.8 billion in annual efficiency losses in the U.S. capital facilities industry - all stemming from inadequate interoperability. In an exclusive interview with Dr. James Hill, director of the Building and Fire Safety Laboratory of NIST, they ask him about the response the study has drawn from users and vendors, and whether changes are likely to result from what he refers to as "the wake-up call our industry needed."

This new issue also features a candid conversation between BE Magazine Editor in Chief Dale Dallabrida and Bentley Chief Marketing Officer Tony Flynn. Again, the topic is interoperability, but the focus narrows to the high costs of inadequate software interoperability. Flynn argues that Autodesk practices add to those costs, challenges Autodesk to change these practices, and suggests ways for the industry to become more efficient.

Says Flynn, "For years, Autodesk has employed business practices that create waste by reducing software interoperability in our AEC industry - an industry in which interoperability is so crucial. For Autodesk, these practices generate revenue. But for the industry, they leave a trail of waste and churn that costs us dearly. What's more, it takes us all away from achieving bigger things."

Readers planning to attend the 2005 BE Conference, Bentley's premier training event being held May 8-12 in Baltimore, won't want to miss the special section dedicated to conference highlights. Included are comments from management visionary Tom Peters, who leads the agenda this year with a keynote address on how AEC can implement what he calls "WOW! Projects," dynamic, inspiring projects that produce dramatic results. Says Peters, "WOW! Projects are a blend of the tangible - outcomes, action plans, budgets, timelines - and the intangible - creativity, innovation, passion, personality, design. They always produce a more engaged workforce, which translates into a more productive workforce, which translates into improved business results." 

Also highlighted in this section are:

* Additional keynotes: executive updates and visions

* Best practices: sessions in which attendees learn the best application of technology from others, including BE Award nominees

* Technology updates: the latest on products direct from the developers and product managers

* Training: the year's largest selection of Bentley training sessions

In the column titled "The Last Word," CEO Greg Bentley explains why the once-a-year training opportunity offered by BE Conference is a wise investment. As he points out, "In just days, BE Conference attendees better themselves, better their organizations, and better the ways they can improve the world's infrastructure." He adds that BE Conference offers more than 500 learning units (LUs), and attendees can acquire 15 or more Lus in a three- to four-day span. Much of this training can be credited as continuing education by professional associations. The lower tuition for 2005 makes training at this year's conference not just a wise investment, but a bargain, says Mr. Bentley. Unlimited training is only $495 (or $395 for early registrants), compared with $600 last year.

Though many of the articles in BE Magazine are of general interest to the AEC community, still others are geared to the needs of specific markets. Examples in the new issue include:

* A better way to build: practices to unite divided project teams

* Thinking beyond the pavement: engaging communities in transportation design

* Detailed 3D city models provide new perspectives on urban development

* Challenges lie ahead for the process industry, but solutions are already available As always, readers will also find inspiring user success stories; how-to articles that help AEC professionals and owner-operators become better connected and more productive; a global roundup of AEC news; a comprehensive calendar of Bentley user events; practical technical notes and tips; commentary on issues critical to the AEC community; and much more.

To experience BE Magazine's second digital issue and become a subscriber, go to www.be.org. To contribute to the editorial content of future issues, submit success stories, feature articles, news items, commentary, and/or letters to [email protected]. To pre-register for BE Conference 2005, go to www.be.org. About BE Magazine and BE BE Magazine is part of the unified program that also includes BE Conference, BE Newsletter <http://www.be.org/en-US/BE+Newsletter/Overview.htm> , BE Awards <http://www.be.org/en-US/BE+Awards/Overview.htm> , and BE Meetings. BE, which stands for "Bentley Empowered," represents the achievements of Bentley users, how Bentley can help them reach their goals, and the common vision and causes Bentley and users share.

About Bentley

Bentley Systems, Incorporated provides software for the lifecycle of the world's infrastructure. The company's comprehensive portfolio for the building, plant, civil, and geospatial vertical markets spans architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) and operations. With 2004 revenues exceeding $300 million, Bentley is the leading provider of AEC software to the Engineering News-Record Design 500 and major owner-operators.

www.bentley.com