What is a digital twin—and why is it so valuable?
What is a digital twin and why is it so valuable?
A digital twin is a data-rich, interactive model which mirrors its built asset, both in appearance and substance. Its value comes from the way it centralizes and contextualizes data for the building’s lifecycle. These comprehensive virtual replicas connect real-life assets with their IT/OT data, giving users both holistic and granular visibility of the information that matters most to them.
Rely on a dynamic, data-rich digital replica
Digital twin technology connects siloed smart building data and structures it—minimizing the noise and maximizing its value. It provides contextual awareness by accurately placing this information in a virtual model of your physical building. Users can explore this digital replica and analyze both live and historic data—tracking the facility’s performance, monitoring maintenance requirements, and resolving operational issues.
Learn how digital twins mature over time
According to the Verdantix maturity model, there are five stages of digital twin evolution. Essentially, the more mature the twin is, the more valuable it becomes.
Acting as a foundation for a facility’s data, all of the building-related information is consolidated into a virtual model which accurately reflects its real-world structure.
This goes beyond housing the building’s information, it connects to IOT and sensor data giving you complete visibility of how your assets, spaces, and systems are operating together.
A digital twin can use its historical data to run analytics and predict trends—enabling the operator to take a more proactive approach, preempting issues before they arise.
As the digital twin continues to evolve, real-time simulation for future “what-if” scenarios become possible. At this stage, the insights gained are truly invaluable for the efficient running of a facility.
The ultimate business value comes at this final stage of maturity. The twin will have the data and processes established to automatically take action based on the insights it delivers.
“Providing a cloud-based, centralized hub for key project information, Tandem advances Burns & McDonnell’s engineering and construction handover process by giving owners rich and accessible data for next-level building operations.”
26%
of corporates surveyed are evaluating or trialling occupancy sensors
Verdantix Global Corporate Survey 2022
22%
of real estate managers rank “improving the health and wellbeing of building occupants” as their top priority.
Verdantix Global Corporate Survey, 2022
Browse our resources
Dive into our forums and explore our collection of resources. You’ll be up to speed with the capabilities of digital twin technology in no time.
Assess your readiness
When adopting digital twin technology, there are a few things you need to consider. Use our self-assessment tool to gain a better understanding of your requirements and determine your next steps.
Explore Tandem’s capabilities
Now that you have a greater understanding of digital twin technology, discover what makes Autodesk Tandem stand out. See for yourself how its features will benefit your business and help you achieve your goals.
Your FAQs
If you have any queries about Autodesk Tandem or digital twin technology in general, you should find the answers here. If you need more information, reach out to our team.
Digital twins help AEC professionals build more sustainably and develop more energy-efficient facilities. While for the building’s owner and operator, these virtual replicas help to maximize their return on investments by optimizing operations. Serving as a dynamic, data-rich hub, its users will gain valuable insights about its physical counterpart’s performance, in terms of both the materials used and its systems.
Digital twins are an evolution of BIM 3D models. Both visually replicate a physical space, but a digital twin leverages BIM data for more. Digital twins are ever-evolving, data-rich models which you can interact with, giving you holistic and granular views of live and historic performance data within the context of the building’s comprehensive 3D designs.
IoT (internet of things) is the term for a network of physical systems which have sensors, software, and other tech capabilities. Data created from these sensors is connected and exchanged over the internet. A digital twin leverages this IoT data, placing it within the context of a virtual replica of a building and giving its users valuable performance insights.
Building a digital twin is a collaborative project which happens in tandem with the development of the real-world asset. The key stakeholders for building it will be architects, engineers, construction workers, the facility owner, and operations team. Leveraging BIM (building information modeling) data, everyone contributes to the same model. Once the virtual replica is complete, its systems, spaces, and assets are then connected to the relevant IoT data from the physical asset. A digital twin is only as good as its data. The more mature and accurate the BIM data is, the more valuable the digital twin’s insights will be.
The owner/operator will receive a comprehensive digital representation of their built asset. This digital twin is designed to closely mimic the real-world asset in terms of its structure, systems, and performance. The data-rich, virtual replica enables real-time monitoring, analysis, and optimization of the building throughout its lifecycle.
As an owner or operator of a facility, you’ll begin by working with your AEC project delivery teams to define your desired outcomes for the digital twin. With your data requirements in place, the process of building it begins. Once the twin’s BIM data has been captured and validated, the IoT data from your physical asset’s systems will be connected and you’ll have access to this dynamic, data-rich model from day one of operations. As time goes by, your digital twin will hold more valuable data and through exploratory analysis, you’ll be able to draw conclusions on how to optimize operations and cut costs for the facility.