Siemens, through its Smart Infrastructure division, is to acquire digital-twin software for buildings from California-based EcoDomus.

The move should help Siemens expand its digital buildings 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 modelling (BIM)-based digital building twins, making design and construction data available for building operations and maintenance. Users can generate digital replicas of their real buildings and assets, creating a common data environment that integrates BIM, building management systems (BMS), computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS) and IoT.

This 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. “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 has mostly focused on a building’s construction phase. Today, its benefits can also be leveraged in the operations and maintenance phase. This is crucial because this is where 80 per cent of a building’s total lifecycle costs will occur.

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

EcoDomus is a privately held company. The closing of the deal is expected in the next few months and subject to the conditions agreed by both parties.

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has its global headquarters in Zug, Switzerland. The business has around 70,400 employees worldwide.