Celebrating half a century of software development

50 years of Oasys

This year, we proudly celebrate 50 years of pioneering digital solutions for the built environment. Established in 1976, Oasys has been at the forefront of innovation, shaping the way engineers and planners design and analyse human spaces worldwide.

Let’s take a look at our milestones through the eras. 

1976-1986

Groovy! In 1976, Oasys was established as a trading name for the systems and software produced by Arup. Born out of the need to sell Arup-built programs to the world created as part of the analysis and design of Sydney Opera House (SOH) between 1957-1973, Oasys  (Ove Arup Systems) computer software were some of the first catalysts for the digital engineering revolution. 

“Over the course of its 16 years of design and construction, the SOH pushed structural analysis into the digital age, pioneering techniques and technologies that are now commonplace… – just three years after the SOH opened, the Arup Computing Group started to sell their programs to the world. This was not under the name of Arup, as consulting engineers were not allowed to advertise at that time, but under the brand Oasys – Ove Arup SYStems – which I am proud to be a part of. It’s still going strong, producing engineering programs that started with the SOH over sixty years ago.” – Peter Debney, ‘Sydney Opera House – 50 years on’, IStructE Blog.

Before it was established with the Oasys trading name, in 1970 Safe, Seep and Slope for mainframe computers and Apricot 286 were some of the first software developed within this division of Arup. 

Between 1978 and 1980, Frew, Alp and Greta for DOS (Disk Operating System). In 1982 Compos was released and between 1984 and 1986, a GSA solver option was released in STAN (STructural ANalysis pre- and post- processor running on Arup’s DEC10 mainframe computer), shortly followed by the GSA release as a standalone, “General Structural Analysis” program running on Apricot micro-PC on DOS. ADC was also released during this time for DOS.

1988-1998

It’s the 90s baby. By 1988 software development was in full swing, with the next release being AdSec for DOS followed by GSA for Windows. By 1992, colour was introduced into GSA graphics along with 2D elements.

As GSA was being released, the iconic Angel of the North was nearing completion. Arup engineers used Oasys software to model and assess the sculpture’s ability to withstand both weather and ground conditions. We chose to feature the commanding giant in our skyline to highlight our deep roots in the Northeast, where Arup’s founder was born and where Oasys itself began in the heart of this region, shaped by the grit and determination that define it. Read the full story to see how engineering ingenuity and creative ambition came together on a truly monumental scale.

1999-2009

Happy New Millennium! Y2K has arrived. Between 1999 and 2002, we saw Frew and Slope, Alp and Pile released for Windows alongside bridge analysis and steel design being introduced in GSA. Greta was later released for Windows in 2004. Also in 2004, Mail Manager was released to the external market after being developed for Arup use. Mail Manager is an email filing software which was later sold in 2022.

Between 2009 and 2011,PDisp and XDisp were released for Windows alongside integral bridge analysis becoming available in Frew.

2012-2022

Great news, the world didn’t end after all. That meant that MassMotion for Windows was released and has grown into the leading pedestrian simulation analysis software.

Ten years later, we decided it was time to ride the wave and make sure we were prepared to provide our users with the latest technology to enhance their analysis and design workflows, so we began our journey to the cloud. Oasys Gofer was released in 2022 as the first cloud geotechnical analysis application for Oasys and used within Arup. Turning four in October this year, Gofer’s use within Arup and beyond is growing rapidly. We’re excited to see how Gofer will continue to evolve into the go‑to geotechnical analysis solution for everyone, as our desktop tools pass the torch to their modern, cloud‑based counterparts.

2023-2026

Anticipating the inevitable rise of AI taking over the world… Things have changed as we know it. The rapid pace of artificial intelligence, virtual reality and other innovations that we once thought only lived in sci-fi movies are now part of everyday life. And you guessed it; we’re riding that wave too. You won’t find us trailing behind; you can trust us to be at the forefront of all thing’s innovation and tech.

In 2023, the Grasshopper 3D integration for GSA was released. With the rise of computational design and parametric modelling, we’ve wrapped GSA inside Grasshopper so you can effortlessly take your structural designs to the next level. In 2024 we expanded our horizons and joined forces with Seequent as part of a technology partnership to develop Oasys Giraphe, a cloud-based dynamic graphing integration for OpenGround Geotechnical Information Management software. Giraphe has changed the graphing game for the foreseeable, halving engineers’ time and featuring in their reports helping to effectively communicate results to stakeholders.

In 2026, we celebrate fifty years of software development – five decades defined by transformation, innovation, and continual growth. As we reflect on how we’ve adapted and evolved through each era of change, we’re incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made and the legacy we continue to build.

We’d like to thank all the colleagues, clients, and partners who have contributed to our journey. Your support and collaboration have paved the way for future generations of excellence in engineering software, and we are deeply grateful for everything you’ve helped us achieve.