WorkPlace Announces New ActiveAsset Inquirer Module;Browser Interface Provides Web Access to...

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 1997--WorkPlace System Solutions, Inc., a Bentley Strategic Affiliate, today announced ActiveAsset Inquirer(TM), a new module to bridge the gap between the World Wide Web and a company's engineering information management database. Scheduled to be available in

the fourth quarter of this year, ActiveAsset Inquirer is a key module in WorkPlace's overall solution to help companies create the Integrated Workplace(TM) - an environment where facility, document, engineering, and other corporate asset data is available across the enterprise, throughout the lifecycle of a facility.

ActiveAsset Inquirer breaks through traditional barriers between the facilities department, engineering, and corporate information systems by leveraging the power of the Internet. ActiveAsset Inquirer lets users access information about a company's assets - equipment, facilities, engineering documents, and personnel - via the Internet, corporate intranet, or the extended enterprise via a project extranet.

A server-based solution, ActiveAsset Inquirer leverages the potential of Bentley's ModelServer Publisher(TM), which also allows MicroStation design files (.dgn) and AutoCAD (NASDAQ: ADSK) drawing files (.dwg) to be dynamically viewed and queried across a corporate intranet or the Internet. The published data is viewed using popular Web browsers such as Netscape Navigator(TM) or Microsoft Internet Explorer. Unlike static publishing solutions, ModelServer Publisher dynamically publishes the current version of the requested document in a user-selectable format without requiring manual pre-publishing of the document by an administrator.

Using ModelServer Publisher technology, ActiveAsset Inquirer dynamically generates Web pages, enabling users with Web browsers to navigate through the ActiveAsset database and view engineering drawings and graphical reports without having specialized software installed on the client computer. Based on his or her individual user profile and security clearances, each user potentially sees different information.

"ActiveAsset Inquirer makes it easier for organizations to share information with remote offices, clients, contractors and internal users who need only occasional access to engineering-related information," said George Church, president of WorkPlace. "Unlike traditional file viewer interfaces to document management systems, this server-based solution guarantees both 100% file fidelity and data integrity, so the user always sees the correct version of the file. Furthermore, because ActiveAsset Inquirer does not transfer the original file to the client computer, organizations can be assured that data security is not compromised," added Church.

ActiveAsset Inquirer is integrated with ActiveAsset Planner and ActiveAsset Manager. ActiveAsset Manager is a robust engineering information and document management module for integrating engineering with corporate operations systems, such as facilities management, procurement, maintenance, and enterprise backbones such as SAP(R). ActiveAsset Planner handles planning, design, and management of facilities and enables engineering graphics data to be dynamically integrated with information stored in corporate relational databases, with links to associated documentation.

When ActiveAsset Inquirer is used in conjunction with ActiveAsset Planner, organizations can graphically enable the corporate facility database. For example, the software can provide for the electronic distribution of frequently updated rent books which show space allocation throughout an organization

About WorkPlace, a Strategic Affiliate of Bentley and Primavera

The people of WorkPlace are seasoned professionals with experience in developing and implementing solutions for Engineering Document Management (EDM), facilities design and management (CAFM), and Product Data Management (PDM). WorkPlace offers a revolutionary approach to integrating the workplace and ensuring optimal life for corporate assets. A Strategic Affiliate of Bentley Systems, Inc., and Primavera Systems, Inc., WorkPlace provides complete solutions for intensive engineering environments. A broad spectrum of clients are turning to WorkPlace, including utility companies, airports, pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers, and process and power plant owner/operators. Headquartered near Boston, Massachusetts, WorkPlace is a worldwide company with European offices in The Netherlands, Finland, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

WorkPlace can be reached

--by telephone at 978-952-2559

--by FAX at 978-952-0181

--by e-mail at workplace@workplacesystems.com

--on the World Wide Web at www.workplacesystems.com

About Bentley and Bentley Strategic Affiliates

Bentley Systems, Inc., is a worldwide leader in engineering software and user services. Its products are proven at over 70 percent of the largest U.S. engineering firms and are the software foundation of well-known buildings, roadways, machines, and industrial plants around the world. Bentley Strategic Affiliates provide project services and the world's best and most interoperable engineering applications to Bentley users. Bentley's Strategic Affiliate program involves an intense technical and business collaboration with, as well as a corporate investment in, a select number of focused, luminary developers. More information about Bentley and Bentley Strategic Affiliates is available at http://www.bentley.com .

NOTE TO EDITORS:

ActiveAsset, ActiveAsset Inquirer, ActiveAsset Planner, ActiveAsset Manager, Integrated Workplace, and the WorkPlace logo are trademarks of WorkPlace System Solutions, Inc. MicroStation is a registered trademark, and Bentley and ModelServer Publisher is a trademark of Bentley Systems, Incorporated. Netscape Navigator is a trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation. Primavera is a registered trademark of Primavera Systems, Inc. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: WorkPlace Systems, Dallas

Kayla Fisher (press), 603/428-3013

kayla.fisher@workplacesystems.com