Bentley User Conference: Q&A

The following is paraphrased from a Q&A session with Bentley representative, including Keith Bentley.

What does XM short for?
Nothing, it's just a name.

Will Bentley use the XML format for MicroStation?
There are a lot of advantages to using XML instead of DGN but we have not decided when or if we are going to do that.

Does Bentley have a hard time finding employees?
Yes.

Does Bentley maintain development centers abroad?
Yes. There are development centers in in Finland, China and India. The China and India development centers will be the ones growing the fastest.

Why did Bentley choose Google Earth to work with? There are other (better) technologies.
Google is ubiquitious. We are amazed by the pickup of Google Earth.

Isn't Google Earth just a visualization tool?
It is a visualization tool but we feel it can be used for business decisions.

How much development is user driven? How much is determined by Bentley?
Like other software companies, it is a combination of the two.