Autodesk Tandem digital twin platform transforms rich data into business intelligence

Autodesk strives to help the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry break down silos between their respective disciplines and along the entire project lifecycle. Through the digitization of design and construction, we see our customers addressing inefficient processes, lack of coordination, and wasted time and money. Today, with the availability of the public beta of Autodesk Tandem™, a digital twin solution, we’re excited to help AEC professionals and their customers – the owners and developers of the built environment – take another giant leap forward. The end goal: ready-to-go operations that help owners get the most out of their investment, whether it’s a bridge, facility, building, or any other structure.

Autodesk Tandem is a digital twin platform that allows a building project to start digital and stay digital, from design to build to operations, and transforms rich data into business intelligence. Autodesk Tandem harnesses the building information modeling (BIM) data created throughout the project lifecycle essential to creating a true digital twin of the asset. At the project’s completion, the project team can deliver a comprehensive digital handover to owners of easily accessible and insightful data, accelerating operational readiness and empowering better business decisions.

Autodesk Tandem harnesses the building information modeling (BIM) data created throughout the project lifecycle

Disorganized Data Means Lost Opportunities

That’s the vision, but the reality for much of the industry is different. Without a digital twin at handover, mounds of disorganized data in varying formats end up buried in electronic folders, rendering useless a treasure trove of valuable data insight. For an owner, that’s lost opportunity and money that cannot be recovered. Autodesk Tandem unlocks the treasure by freeing, organizing, and standardizing data from design and construction, creating a simple and intuitive digital replica of all the components, systems, and spaces in a facility.

Owners are asking Marin Pastar for this type of information several times a week. Pastar, a valued contributor to the development of Tandem beta, is Global Technology Leader of Vertical Information Modeling at Jacobs, a leading design, construction, and consulting firm, where he evangelizes the power of technology to break down silos and maximize efficiency. With approximately 80 percent of a facility’s total lifecycle cost realized during operations, Pastar says AEC professionals have an enormous opportunity to add value by helping owners reduce costs through tools like digital twins.

“Our ability to affect and reduce total cost of ownership drops drastically the farther we progress from design to construction to completion,” said Pastar. “If we consider what an owner will need at handover from the start, we can ensure proper management of assets based on their business goals and processes. We have an obligation to maximize our clients’ investment.”

Connecting Systems, Reducing Risk, Saving Money

Chief Technologist Brian Melton of Black & Veatch, a globally renowned engineering and construction company, is collaborating closely with Autodesk on the direction of Tandem’s development.

“We see Autodesk Tandem interfacing with data systems like Computerized Maintenance and Management Systems (CMMS) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. This provides owners and operators access to all information though a connected experience that allows them to proactively reduce risk and increase resiliency,” said Melton. “Owners can start asking: Where are all the assets that currently have open maintenance work orders? What are the chances of this asset failing in the next five years? Is safety equipment near work areas? More connected systems and predictive insights that are visually aggregated using modern BIM/design data will be part of the handover package of the future.”

Melton sees Autodesk Tandem and digital twins as part of the broader digital transformation, where every system becomes more and more connected as data is generated. In that future, systems learn from one another, share insights, and optimize performance in real-time. This data-connected world requires cooperation and openness from the technology community, and Autodesk is committed to doing its part. Last year, Autodesk became a Founding Member of the Digital Twin Consortium, an organization collaborating on digital twin best practices and standards, and a member of the Open Design Alliance, a nonprofit technology consortium that provides support and access to design file formats. These efforts are part of helping Autodesk’s AEC customers enjoy an optimal experience throughout a project’s lifecycle, including at handover.

Autodesk Tandem can help you take the next step on your digital journey and realize the benefits of a digital handover. Whether you’re an owner, operator, or AEC professional, join our beta program today and find out how Autodesk Tandem can support projects, drive business, and maximize investments.