ProjectWise

ProjectWise
Name	ProjectWise
Developer	Bentley Systems
Released	1995
Latest release	2024
Programming language	C++, C#
Operating system	Microsoft Windows, Windows Server
Genre	Engineering collaboration software
License	Proprietary

ProjectWise

ProjectWise is a collaborative engineering content management and information delivery platform developed by Bentley Systems for architecture, engineering, construction, and operations workflows. It supports multidisciplinary teams working on infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, buildings, and utilities by coordinating document management, design coordination, and engineering data exchange across distributed offices. The platform interfaces with design applications, project controls, and enterprise systems to provide versioning, access control, and delivery of asset information across project lifecycles.

Overview

ProjectWise provides centralized control of drawings, models, specifications, and geospatial data to support complex initiatives like Crossrail, Panama Canal expansion, High Speed 2, Sagrada Família restoration, and California High-Speed Rail programs. It integrates with design products such as MicroStation, AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, Navisworks, and ArcGIS to manage engineering deliverables for contractors like Bechtel, Fluor Corporation, AECOM, and Skanska. Industry adopters include owners and operators such as Transport for London, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.

History and Development

ProjectWise originated in the mid-1990s as part of a wave of engineering collaboration tools following developments at firms like Bentley Systems, Autodesk, and Intergraph. Early versions focused on document management for CAD offices similar to products from Microsoft and OpenText competitors. Through acquisitions and partnerships with vendors including Synchro Software, Acresso Software, and integrations with Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server, the platform evolved to support model-based workflows used in projects such as Thames Tideway Tunnel and Gaza Seawater Desalination Project. Bentley introduced cloud-enabled capabilities influenced by strategies from Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform to meet demands from clients like AECOM Technology Corporation and government agencies including United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Features and Functionality

Core capabilities include version control, check-in/check-out, metadata schemas, lifecycle states, and transmittals used by teams at Jacobs Engineering, WSP Global, and Black & Veatch. Collaboration features enable clash detection workflows with Autodesk Navisworks, federated model referencing with Bentley OpenBuildings, and drawing compare functions akin to tooling from Bluebeam. ProjectWise supports automated workflows and approvals consistent with standards such as ISO 19650, PAS 1192-2, and interoperability models described by organizations like BuildingSMART International. Reporting, search, and indexing integrate with enterprise platforms including SAP, Oracle E-Business Suite, and Microsoft SharePoint to align with commissioning programs used by Siemens and Schneider Electric.

Architecture and Integration

The architecture combines server components, desktop clients, and web portals to interoperate with enterprise stacks from Microsoft, Oracle, and cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. ProjectWise Connectors and integration adapters link with design applications from Autodesk, modeling engines from Bentley Systems product lines like MicroStation CONNECT Edition, and geographic systems from Esri. The data management layer supports spatial data formats used in Open Geospatial Consortium standards and integrates with asset registries and lifecycle systems used by organizations like National Grid plc and Network Rail.

Deployment and Licensing

Deployments vary from on-premises installations in data centers of municipal authorities like City of New York and utilities such as EDF Energy to hosted environments leveraging cloud services from Microsoft Azure and private cloud setups for consultants such as Mott MacDonald. Licensing models are proprietary and typically involve concurrent or named user entitlements sold by Bentley Systems or their channel partners, with maintenance and subscription options similar to commercial models used by Autodesk Subscription and enterprise agreements with vendors like Oracle Corporation.

Adoption and Industry Use

ProjectWise is widely used in infrastructure, transportation, utilities, and building sectors by firms including Arup, Turner Construction Company, Balfour Beatty, VINCI Construction, Tetra Tech, and government clients like United States Department of Transportation and Transport Canada. It supports program delivery methods used in projects such as London 2012 Olympic Park, Crossrail, I-405 Expansion, and major hospital developments undertaken by NHS England trusts. Academic and standards bodies including CIBSE, RICS, and BuildingSMART reference collaborative platforms in guidance where ProjectWise is often implemented.

Security and Compliance

Security features provide role-based access controls, audit trails, encryption at rest and in transit, and authentication integration with Active Directory, LDAP, and single sign-on providers like Okta. Compliance considerations align with regulatory regimes such as GDPR for European projects, FISMA for US federal engagements, and industry standards including ISO 27001 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Large-scale adopters implement network segmentation, backup strategies, and disaster recovery planning in line with practices from Department of Homeland Security and cloud security guidelines from Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure Security Center.

Category:Project collaboration software