Archway Systems

What Archway Systems does

Archway Systems, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned CAD software reseller, training provider, and consulting firm founded in 1989 by Tom and Mike Lazear, the original developers of the VersaCAD PC-based 2D CAD product. The company is headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, after relocating from Huntington Beach, California in 2020, and is now operated across three generations of the Lazear family. Since 1992, Archway has been North America's longest-serving Bentley Systems Channel Partner, reselling Bentley software including MicroStation, OpenRoads, ProjectWise, ContextCapture, and bundled offerings such as Civil WorkSuite, alongside third-party products like Rhino 3D and its own proprietary VersaCAD 2D CAD software.

The company monetizes through three primary streams: (1) Bentley software resale with multiple licensing models including perpetual licenses plus annual SELECT subscriptions, 12-month eStore subscriptions, and usage-based Cloud Service Subscriptions (CSS); (2) certified Bentley training delivered remotely and on-site at price points ranging from $500 for a one-day course to $2,600 for a four-day CAD Management course, plus custom corporate programs; and (3) strategic consulting covering ProjectWise implementation, MicroStation WorkSpace setup, network configuration, and contract software development in C, C++, Visual Basic, and VBA. Reality capture services using ContextCapture for photogrammetry-based 3D modeling were added in 2017. The technology stack is almost entirely third-party Bentley infrastructure with proprietary value-add concentrated in VersaCAD and in implementation/training expertise.

Archway's go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales, a regional event-driven motion (the annual Bentley Bash user group reaching hundreds of users), and community-led engagement through the California Bentley User Group (CalBUG), newsletters, and webinars. Customers are primarily state and federal Departments of Transportation, transportation engineers, and AEC firms requiring large-scale infrastructure design and project collaboration, with secondary reach into product designers, architects, students, and major utilities. Named long-tenure customers include LA County Public Works, LA County Sanitation District, Anil Verma Associates, Zephyr Rail, Michigan DOT, and Crossrail (London), with several relationships exceeding 20-30 years. No external investment, parent company, or M&A activity is evident in the data.

Name

Archway Systems

Legal name

Archway Systems, Inc.

Website

https://archwaysystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Archway Systems is a privately held, family-owned CAD software reseller and certified training provider, operating since 1989 as North America's longest-serving Bentley Channel Partner, serving DOTs, AEC firms, and engineering companies with MicroStation, OpenRoads, ProjectWise, and VersaCAD plus consulting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

CAD Software Reselling and Engineering Design Services

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Engineering Services (54133)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Software License Resale & Optimization (Perpetual/Subscription) (BPAEAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Software/Application Support (SaaS, Enterprise Apps) (BPAAACAC), Customer Onboarding, Education & Adoption (CS Enablement) (EDABACAI)

Keywords

• CAD software reselling
• Civil engineering software
• CAD training services
• AEC project collaboration
• 3D modeling software

Headquarters

HQ city

Franklin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Bentley Software Sales: Reselling Bentley Systems software including MicroStation, OpenRoads, ProjectWise, and other products. Offers perpetual licenses (with annual SELECT for updates and support), Bentley eStore subscriptions (12-month annual subscriptions), and Cloud Service Subscriptions (CSS with upfront deposit and monthly rent deduction).
2. Training Services: Bentley software training offered remotely and on-site. Classes include MicroStation V8i Fundamentals ($2,000 for 3 days), MicroStation CONNECT Fundamentals, Advanced User courses, CAD Management ($2,600 for 4 days), Quickstart ($1,000 for 2 days), and specialized rendering/animation courses. OpenRoads training courses ranging from $500-$2,000.
3. Consulting Services: Strategic consulting for Bentley software implementation, upgrades, customization, and configuration. Services include ProjectWise implementation, MicroStation WorkSpace setup, network strategies, and contract software development in C, C++, Visual Basic, and VBA.
4. VersaCAD Software Sales: Development and support of proprietary VersaCAD 2D CAD software for Windows, positioned as an inexpensive CAD solution for layout work and education.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Archway Systems resells Bentley Systems CAD and infrastructure software (MicroStation, OpenRoads, ProjectWise, ContextCapture) and Rhino 3D, while developing and supporting its own proprietary 2D CAD software VersaCAD. The company complements software sales with Bentley-certified training (open enrollment, remote, and on-site classes) and consulting services for software implementation, customization, ProjectWise deployment, and contract development in C/C++/Visual Basic/VBA. As North America's longest-serving Bentley Channel Partner since 1992, Archway delivers solution advice, licensing support, and certified training to civil engineering and AEC customers.

Product overview

Archway Systems is a software reseller, training provider, and consulting firm specializing in CAD solutions. The company offers a portfolio of products centered around Bentley Systems software (MicroStation, OpenRoads, ProjectWise) as well as its own developed 2D CAD software VersaCAD. It also resells Rhino 3D and ContextCapture. The product portfolio is organized as: core Bentley CAD and collaboration platforms (MicroStation, OpenRoads, ProjectWise), bundled offerings (Civil WorkSuite), own-developed products (VersaCAD), third-party resale products (Rhino 3D, ContextCapture), and associated services (training, consulting).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MicroStation Comprehensive CAD software platform for 2D drafting and 3D modeling of infrastructure projects including buildings, bridges, roadways, and railways. Resold by Archway as Bentley's foundational CAD platform supporting DGN, IFC, STEP, IGES, DWG, DXF, and SKP formats for AEC and transportation engineering customers.
• OpenRoads Family of civil engineering software products for survey and design of sites, roads, rail, and drainage. Resold by Archway as the leading software for highway and rail design, offering 3D modeling, interactive roadway design, automatic vertical profiles, and feature-based digital terrain modeling for transportation and civil engineering customers.
• ProjectWise Project collaboration and document management platform for AEC projects, providing centralized document storage, real-time collaboration, workflow management, and integrations with Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, Revit, and Bentley applications. Resold by Archway with expert implementation and customization services.
• VersaCAD Proprietary 2D CAD software originally developed by the Archway founders in the 1980s and now developed and supported by Archway Systems. Designed for users needing an inexpensive solution for layout work, floor plans, schematics, plumbing layouts, and educational drafting, featuring single keystroke commands, quick loading, raster image integration, and multiple drawing reference support.
• Rhino 3D Windows-based 3D NURBS surface modeling software popular among architects, product designers, shipbuilders, shoemakers, jewelers, game developers, and filmmakers. Resold by Archway for fast modeling and editing with robust import/export functionality across applications.
• Civil WorkSuite Bundled Bentley software package integrating 3D modeling, design, and analysis solutions for infrastructure projects. Includes OpenRoads Designer, OpenRoads ConceptStation, OpenBridge Designer, OpenSite Designer, OpenFlows CivilStorm, Bentley LumenRT, ProStructures, Reality Modeling WorkSuite, and OpenTunnel Designer priced below OpenRoads Designer standalone.
• ContextCapture Bentley reality capture software that converts digital photographs into accurate 3D mesh models and digital terrain models without point cloud processing, sold alongside Archway's turnkey and modular reality capture services including UAV deployment and photogrammetry processing.
• PowerDraft Entry-level CAD software offering a more accessible, lower-cost alternative to full MicroStation for 2D and 3D design work, resold by Archway as part of the Bentley portfolio.
• Training Services Bentley-certified training programs including MicroStation, OpenRoads, and ProjectWise courses delivered remotely, on-site, or as open enrollment classes. Custom training also available. Courses range from $500 for 1-day OpenRoads ConceptStation to $2,600 for the 4-day MicroStation CAD Management course.
• Consulting Services Strategic consulting for Bentley software implementation, upgrades, customization, and configuration, including ProjectWise implementation, MicroStation WorkSpace setup, network strategies, and contract software development in C, C++, Visual Basic, and VBA.

Quantifiable outcome

• 34 US DOTs have implemented or are implementing ProjectWise as backbone for paperless eConstruction projects
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• VirtuosityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 2020Virtuosity is Bentley's e-commerce platform for software sales. Archway acts as a channel partner, directing customers to Virtuosity with their reseller ID for purchases while providing additional support and consulting services.
• VersaCAD CorporationminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 1999Original developers of VersaCAD software (1980s). Archway regained rights to VersaCAD in 1999 and now develops and supports the software independently as proprietary 2D CAD solution.
• Bentley SystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1992North America's longest-serving Bentley Channel Partner since 1992. Archway offers sales, training, and consulting for Bentley's 150+ products including MicroStation, OpenRoads, and ProjectWise. As a channel partner, Archway resells Bentley software and provides first-line support, implementation services, and certified training to customers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Seiler Instrument & Mfg. Co. Seiler is a Bentley Channel Partner and authorized training provider offering Bentley software, hardware, and geospatial solutions across the Midwest. Comparable as a multi-product Bentley reseller with training and consulting services targeting AEC and government customers.
• Hagerman & Company: Hagerman & Company is a long-standing Bentley Channel Partner in the US Midwest, reselling Bentley software (MicroStation, OpenRoads, ProjectWise) and providing certified training and consulting. Directly comparable as a Bentley-focused reseller/training partner serving AEC and government clients.
• Synergis Engineering Design Solutions: Synergis (now part of Unlocked Potential) is a long-time Autodesk reseller and training partner offering CAD software, certified training, and consulting to AEC and manufacturing firms. Comparable as a CAD software channel partner providing training and implementation services.
• Avanti Computer Solutions: Avanti is a Bentley Channel Partner offering software, training, and consulting for MicroStation, OpenRoads, and ProjectWise. Closely comparable business model to Archway's reseller-plus-training-plus-consulting model.

Others

• SAFE Software (FME): SAFE Software provides FME data integration platform widely used in AEC and infrastructure workflows alongside Bentley tools. Comparable as an ecosystem-adjacent technology provider in the civil engineering data management space where Archway operates.

Regional players

• SolidCAD: SolidCAD is a Canadian Autodesk and Bluebeam reseller and training provider serving AEC and manufacturing customers in Canada. Comparable as a CAD reseller with training and consulting services, though primarily Canadian-focused.

Broad incumbents

• IMAGINiT Technologies: IMAGINiT is a large Autodesk-focused reseller and consulting firm providing software, training, and implementation services for AEC and manufacturing clients across North America. Comparable as a CAD software channel partner with broader scale and product breadth.
• Symetri (formerly Microdesk/Northern Lake): Symetri is a large multi-vendor CAD/BIM/PLM reseller and consulting firm operating across Europe and North America, offering Autodesk, Bentley, and other design software. Comparable as a broader CAD channel partner with deeper geographic and portfolio reach.
• Bentley Systems (Direct): Bentley Systems is the underlying software vendor that Archway resells. While not a direct competitor in the same way, Bentley's direct enterprise sales force competes with channel partners for the largest AEC and government accounts, shaping the partner's addressable market.

Emerging players

• CADCIM Technologies: CADCIM provides CAD/CAM/CAE training, courseware, and consulting services for multiple platforms including Bentley and Autodesk tools. Comparable as a CAD training and consulting provider, though primarily courseware/external training rather than software resale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ArchwaySystems
• Facebookfacebook.com/ArchwaySystems
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/archway-systems-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Archway Systems