Bentley Systems Expands Asset Analytics Capabilities with Strategic Acquisitions
Bentley Systems has taken a decisive step to reinforce its position in infrastructure asset intelligence with the acquisition of Talon Aerolytics and the technology and technical expertise of Pointivo. Both transactions were completed in December and are squarely focused on expanding Bentley’s Asset Analytics portfolio, an area where digital twins and artificial intelligence increasingly define how infrastructure is inspected, managed, and optimised.
Rather than being opportunistic purchases, the acquisitions reflect a deliberate strategy. Infrastructure owner operators across transport, telecommunications, and energy are facing rising expectations around reliability, resilience, and cost efficiency. At the same time, ageing assets, labour shortages, and the pace of digital transformation are placing pressure on traditional inspection and maintenance models. Bentley’s move addresses these realities head on by strengthening its ability to deliver continuous, data driven insights across the full asset lifecycle.
Asset Analytics at the Core of Bentley’s Growth Strategy
Bentley Asset Analytics already plays a central role in the company’s software ecosystem. Solutions such as OpenTower iQ for telecommunications towers and Blyncsy for road networks apply advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to real world infrastructure, enabling owners to understand condition, risk, and performance at scale.
The addition of Talon and Pointivo significantly broadens this foundation. Together, they extend Bentley’s reach deeper into telecommunications and electric utilities, while also adding horizontal capabilities that apply across sectors. As global 5G rollouts accelerate and grid modernisation gathers pace, the need for integrated digital workflows has become urgent rather than aspirational. These acquisitions are designed to help infrastructure owners digitise, analyse, and optimise assets faster, more accurately, and with greater confidence.
Talon Aerolytics and the Digitalisation of Field Operations
Talon brings to Bentley a mature and field proven platform for site surveys, inspections, and asset digitisation across wireless telecom, broadband, and electric utilities. Its strength lies in combining workflow automation, digital twins, and AI to streamline recurring inspection tasks while delivering actionable insight into asset condition.
For many operators, inspections remain labour intensive, fragmented, and reactive. Talon’s technology addresses this gap by standardising data capture, automating analysis, and creating a consistent digital record that supports both day to day operations and long term planning. Productivity gains are only part of the story. Equally important is the ability to spot deterioration earlier, reduce safety risks, and make maintenance decisions based on evidence rather than assumption.
Rod Dir, chief executive officer of Talon, described the significance of joining Bentley Systems as a catalyst for broader impact: “Over the past decade, Talon has established itself as a trusted intelligent collaboration platform for managing asset lifecycles and analyzing infrastructure with our AI enabled software. By joining Bentley Systems, we are poised to expand our global reach and enhance asset resilience through the integration of Bentley’s advanced engineering simulation capabilities.”
Strengthening Telecom and Utility Networks at Scale
The implications of Talon’s integration extend beyond efficiency gains. Telecommunications networks and electric utilities increasingly operate as interdependent systems, with towers, poles, substations, and distribution assets forming a complex, shared physical backbone. Managing this infrastructure demands tools that can operate across organisational silos and asset classes.
This challenge is particularly visible in large scale deployments, where thousands of assets must be surveyed, inspected, and maintained consistently. Talon’s workflows, now combined with Bentley’s engineering and analytics capabilities, offer a more unified approach. Data collected in the field can flow directly into digital twins, supporting scenario analysis, risk assessment, and long term resilience planning.
Real World Validation From Industry Users
The value of Talon’s platform is reinforced by its adoption among global technology leaders. Klaus Metnitzer, head of deploy execution excellence and serviceability for North America at Nokia, highlighted how Talon has strengthened network reliability and operational agility: “At Nokia, delivering reliable and resilient networks for our customers and the communities they serve is a top priority. Our collaboration with Talon, leveraging their asset inspection and data intelligence capabilities alongside Nokia’s mobile network engineering and leadership, significantly strengthens this critical foundation. Together, these solutions empower our customers to manage their infrastructure more efficiently, respond rapidly to challenges, and ensure continuous connectivity when it matters most. Talon’s integration with Bentley further enhances our innovation together across infrastructure management workflows to support an integrated grid ranging from towers to distribution poles.”
Such endorsements underline why Talon’s business model has gained traction. Profitable growth and enterprise wide contracts demonstrate that asset analytics is no longer a niche capability. It is becoming a core requirement for infrastructure operators facing rising service expectations and regulatory scrutiny.
Pointivo Adds Horizontal AI and Drone Intelligence
While Talon strengthens Bentley’s vertical solutions, the acquisition of Pointivo’s technology and technical expertise adds breadth across the Asset Analytics platform. Pointivo brings advanced capabilities in drone data processing, AI powered damage detection, and precise geolocation, all of which are increasingly essential for large scale asset inspection.
Drone based surveys generate vast volumes of visual and spatial data. Turning that data into reliable intelligence has been a persistent challenge. Pointivo’s patented technologies focus on converting unstructured imagery into accurate inventories and condition assessments that operators can trust. These capabilities enhance Bentley’s ability to deliver consistent insights, regardless of asset type or geography.
Turning Visual Data Into Actionable Insight
Jacob Garland, chief technology officer at Pointivo, emphasised the practical intent behind the company’s innovations: “Our patented AI driven inventory and damage detection technology was built to turn vast volumes of unstructured visual data into precise, trustworthy insights. Our team of experts has been at the forefront of advanced point cloud processing, automated measurement and asset condition detection, and high fidelity drone capture, all capabilities that naturally complement Bentley’s portfolio, including OpenTower iQ. Now as part of Bentley, our innovations will enable faster, more accurate intelligence at scale, helping asset owners and operators to detect issues earlier and keep critical infrastructure performing at its best.”
By embedding these capabilities into Bentley Asset Analytics, infrastructure owners gain a clearer, more timely view of asset health. Early detection of defects supports proactive maintenance strategies, reducing unplanned outages and extending asset life.
Scaling AI Driven Inspections Across Infrastructure
From a corporate perspective, the acquisitions represent a significant investment in scaling AI across infrastructure operations and maintenance. James Lee, chief operating officer of Bentley Systems, framed the move as a milestone in the company’s evolution: “These acquisitions represent a major investment in scaling our Bentley Asset Analytics offering. By deploying AI across infrastructure sectors, we are enabling continuous inspections to improve operational performance and maintenance economics for asset owners. Talon effectively pioneered this business model, validated by its profitable growth and pipeline of enterprise wide contracts. This move marks an important milestone, adding to our technical and business momentum and strengthening our leadership in the burgeoning market of Asset Analytics.”
Continuous inspection models contrast sharply with traditional periodic surveys. Instead of reacting to failures, operators can monitor condition trends and intervene earlier, improving safety and controlling costs.
Financial Momentum Behind Asset Analytics
The strategic importance of Asset Analytics is also reflected in Bentley’s capital allocation priorities. Werner Andre, chief financial officer of Bentley Systems, pointed to tangible growth indicators: “These 2025 acquisitions substantially underscore our ongoing capital allocation priority in Asset Analytics, catalyzing significant growth opportunities driven by AI within infrastructure operations and maintenance. With a revenue run rate of approximately 50 million dollars in Asset Analytics, our platform consolidation investments are bolstering long term double digit growth in ARR, subscription revenues, and cash flows.”
Such figures highlight why asset intelligence has become a focal point for infrastructure software providers. Subscription based analytics platforms offer recurring revenue while delivering measurable value to customers under pressure to do more with less.
Digital Twins as the Backbone of Resilient Infrastructure
At the heart of Bentley’s approach lies the digital twin. By creating a living digital representation of physical assets, operators can connect design intent, construction data, and operational performance in a single environment. The integration of Talon and Pointivo strengthens this model by enriching digital twins with high quality inspection data and AI driven insights.
This approach supports a wide range of use cases, from planning upgrades and managing risk to responding to extreme weather events. As climate pressures, urbanisation, and electrification reshape infrastructure demands, the ability to understand assets in context becomes a strategic advantage rather than a technical nice to have.
A Broader Vision for Infrastructure Operations
Founded in 1984 by engineers for engineers, Bentley Systems has built its reputation on supporting the full infrastructure lifecycle. Its software is used worldwide across transportation, water, energy, and urban infrastructure, helping organisations design, build, and operate assets that are safer and more resilient.
The acquisitions of Talon and Pointivo fit squarely within this long term vision. By deepening its Asset Analytics capabilities, Bentley is positioning itself to support infrastructure owners through the operational challenges that define the coming decades. Digitalisation, AI, and automation are no longer future concepts. They are now essential tools for keeping critical infrastructure performing when it matters most.
