In March 2018, the Siemens Building Technologies Division joined buildingSMART International (bSI) as a member of the Strategic Advisory Council and several National Chapters. Siemens is the first building technology vendor to become part of this international not-for-profit organisation.
buildingSMART International
bSI is the creator of the ‘openBIM’ data format which defines open, vendor-neutral international standards for BIM (Building Information Modelling). These standards are essential in order to promote rapid digitalisation in the built asset sector.
BIM is a digitally assisted, future-proof, holistic process for planning, constructing and operating buildings
BIM is a digitally assisted, future-proof, holistic process for planning, constructing and operating buildings and helps boost productivity in the construction industry. It affects all stakeholders involved in the building process – from building owners, architects and planners to building technology vendors, property operators and facility managers, to demolition and disposal companies.
The virtual building process has enormous benefits: the data model generated in the planning phase of a building can be used across all other phases in the building's lifecycle. In the construction phase, it is possible to test construction plans and ideas in virtual space to assess their practical feasibility. Physical construction work does not start until the simulation has been successful. In addition, BIM makes it possible to optimise energy efficiency measures and to factor in future changes in usage right in the planning phase. This results in substantial cost savings in the subsequent operating phase, which accounts for 80 per cent of a building's lifecycle costs.
BIM makes it possible to optimise energy efficiency measures and to factor in future changes in usage
Siemens Building Technologies
Matthias Rebellius, CEO of Siemens Building Technologies explains, "Our membership of bSI underpins our clear commitment to BIM and incorporates our building digitalisation expertise into bSI's groundbreaking standardisation efforts. This will allow us to take the next major step together toward optimising all phases in the building lifecycle."
Richard Petrie, CEO at bSI concludes, "Siemens' decision to join buildingSMART as a Strategic Member is a very significant endorsement of the importance of our solutions and standards work, our vision and the strength of our community. Siemens' scale and professionalism will be of huge assistance as buildingSMART gears up to address the growing work programmes demanded by the uptake of openBIM and digital ways of working in the built asset sector."
BIM data from Siemens Building Technologies is currently available for more than 1,200 products including field devices, automation and fire safety products. More data is being added, with plans to increase the BIM data pool to encompass more than 2,000 products.