‘Interoperability’ is a key buzzword in manufacturing today. Silos are disappearing and connectivity between such diverse elements as plant design and operation, and production and finance, are quickly disappearing. Evidence of that was apparent again this week as Autodesk and Bentley Systems expanded their interoperability offerings with announcement of a joint venture.

Autodesk and Bentley will exchange software libraries to enabling a broader reuse of information generated during the design, construction, and operation of buildings and plants.

A 2004 study by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology found that users bear direct costs of almost $16 billion annually from time wasted due to inadequate software interoperability. Now design firms can use software tools from either Autodesk or Bentley.

Norbert Young, FAIA, president of McGraw-Hill Construction and former chairman of the International Alliance for Interoperability in North America, said, “This groundbreaking agreement directly addresses many of the critical issues detailed in the October 2007 McGraw-Hill Construction study on interoperability in the construction industry. I applaud both companies for their foresight and leadership.”

rent chairman of the International Alliance for Interoperability.

“Autodesk recognizes that many customers use our products in mixed environments, and this agreement will help to better support these firms,” said Autodesk senior vice president Jay Bhatt.build, operate, and maintain the world’s infrastructure.”

“Bentley and Autodesk share a goal of enabling the creation and operations of better-performing infrastructure,” said Greg Bentley, CEO of Bentley Systems.

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