Siemens Smart Infrastructure has signed an agreement to acquire digital twin software for buildings from EcoDomus, a US-based company. The move helps Siemens Smart Infrastructure expand its digital building portfolio, including its cloud-based building operations twin software and its flagship building management platform Desigo CC.

The EcoDomus software creates, maintains and visualises Building Information Modeling (BIM)-based digital building twins, making design and construction data available for building operations and maintenance. Customers can generate digital replicas of their real buildings and assets, creating a common data environment that integrates BIM, Building Management Systems, Computerised Maintenance Management Systems and Internet of Things systems. The solution enables BIM-driven workflows and digital twin-based lifecycle management, complemented by 3D visualisation. 

“The way we operate buildings is fundamentally changing, thanks to the power of digitalisation and digital twins,” said Henning Sandfort, CEO of Building Products at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “By enhancing our existing offering for digitalised buildings with EcoDomus’ software, we are strengthening our leading industry position in that dynamic market, offering our customers the full-spectrum benefits of BIM-based operations.”

In the past, BIM data usage mostly focused on a building’s construction phase. Today, its benefits can also be leveraged in the operations and maintenance phase. This is crucial as this is where 80% of a building’s total lifecycle costs will occur. 

Leveraging the acquired data creation and visualisation capabilities, Siemens’ digital building software portfolio will bring benefits to customers including enhanced insights into the performance of their building, real-time issue identification and resolution, and better space and energy utilisation. Customers will be able to turn their buildings into more sustainable, comfortable, and safe places to live and work, while at the same time streamlining processes and reducing operational costs.