Special thanks to everyone who joined the Autodesk Tandem team for our last webinar of 2024. It was a packed webinar with exciting updates, including details on our most recent release, Autodesk Tandem Connect. What a great way to end the year!
If you missed the webinar, don't worry! Watch the recording here.
For those interested in the DWG/NWD File Importer beta, please click here to learn more and become a beta tester.
Have a great rest of the year, everyone!
API & Tandem Connect
- Can we access populating asset information from external applications?
Yes! Users can do this programmatically using custom coding or Tandem Connect to automate and simplify those integrations.
- Should I use Autodesk Platform Service to make connections between the model and the Tandem Connect? And what about the cloud data and where it is stored?
Yes, your APS credentials are used to authenticate Tandem Connect to your Tandem environment (Client ID must be added as an API key in Tandem). Currently, data is stored on US servers.
- Is it possible that in the future, new connections or templates can be created?
Yes.
- I am working on monitoring temperature, humidity, and air quality in a metro station and would like your advice:
- How many sensors are recommended for these parameters in a medium-sized station? My initial estimate is Temperature Humidity Sensors and Air Quality Sensors
- What are the optimal locations to place these sensors for accurate readings?
- How can I measure station areas using Autodesk Tandem to plan sensor placement effectively?
- Answer: The number of sensors is up to users and how granular they want to be with the areas and zones. Users can always start small and add more if needed. With Tandem, users have the ability to pin those connections to represent where they're physically located for analysis/heatmaps, and we'll automatically blend the readings in the same areas. For optimal locations, users will have to take into account that they'll probably want to be close enough to where people will physically be within the area, but yet far enough away so users will not tamper with the devices. So, not a direct answer to your question, but things to consider!
- How many sensors are recommended for these parameters in a medium-sized station? My initial estimate is Temperature Humidity Sensors and Air Quality Sensors
- Can we create test emulators from the new Tandem Connect portal?
There is a premade "Tandem Connections Simulator" that provides tons of simulated data for your facility to play around with. Users just need to enter their facility authentication credentials, and it will create connections and payloads!
- What would be the computer requirements to run this smoothly?
Below are a couple of resources that discuss this- https://help.autodesk.com/view/TANDEM/ENU/?guid=Tandem_About_system_requirements_html
- https://help.autodesk.com/view/TANDEM/ENU/?guid=Tandem_Connect_About_Tandem_Connect_system_requireme...
If you have any questions after the webinar, you can post them to our public forums > https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Tandem-forum/bd-p/Tandem
- Does Tandem Connect support connections to LoRaWAN Channels or other cloud IoT platforms?
We don't currently have LoRaWAN plugins released yet, but anything that is available via REST API can use our HTTP plugins, or an MQTT protocol (MQTT Plugins) can be automated by Tandem Connect to populate live data to your twin.
Asset Data
- Can parameters created in Tandem be pushed back into a Design/Construction model in Revit?
Yes, we have a Revit plugin. Any mapped parameter can be bi-directionally synced with Revit.
- In the inventory, is there a way to select multiple lines (via shift/ctrl) and apply a value to a parameter?
Read more about the Inventory panel on our Autodesk Knowledge Network page.
- If there is a major building update (e.g., a renovation or addition) does the updated model delete or overwrite the existing and still pertinent assets?
Tandem doesn’t delete existing information. Instead, it suppresses outdated data in the database.
For updates:- Elements removed in the new model will be hidden.
- Elements updated will reflect changes in geometry and properties.
- Newly added elements will appear as new components.
- This approach allows users to review changes element by element across model versions.
- Does Tandem consider what version of Revit it is interacting with?
Tandem keeps a complete history of every element imported from Revit or any other model source.
- Is Tandem intended to store an entire company's project BIM data and enable cross-comparison and leverage of the data across projects/clients?
We envision enhancing Tandem's capabilities for portfolio-level management, such as setting KPIs or managing multiple facilities across geographic regions.
Plans include:- Detailed data aggregation at a portfolio level.
- Enhanced permission management for teams and clients.
- Research integration with Esri and other platforms.
- These developments align with expanding Tandem's strategic capabilities for broader use cases.
Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC)
- Can we connect to ACC?
Yes! Tandem is integrated with ACC. Users can import their models from ACC Docs, and anytime a model is updated, Tandem prompts them to update their digital twin.
- Are you also working on an app for mobile devices, just like ACC?
Not currently. If you'd like to provide this as feedback, you can do so on our website. > https://inTandem.autodesk.com/our-product-roadmap/
Facility Management
- Can we raise a ticket for maintenance events in Tandem?
Not currently. If you'd like to provide this as feedback, you can do so on our website. > https://inTandem.autodesk.com/our-product-roadmap/
- Can Tandem be used for facility management?
We view Autodesk Tandem as providing a single pane of glass for various facility management systems. So, it would be more of a data collection and integration interface. Using Tandem and Tandem Connect, you can integrate with your CMMS or BMS systems.
Feedback
- Can the column structure/customization that appears in the Inventory be saved to the Facility Template to apply to multiple projects?
Not at this time.
- For space planning surveys can Tandem scan a bar/QR code on a space and open the space's data for editing?
Not at this time, but we would love to hear your feedback on what this could look like. Users can submit feedback directly to the product team on our website > https://inTandem.autodesk.com/our-product-roadmap/
File Type
- Can we use this as an additional tool for Navisworks users? Does it have clash detection?
We currently support Revit and IFC file formats. We also have DWG and Navisworks formats available in beta, which expands our users' options.
One recent update worth mentioning is related to Revit. Previously, when importing models and selecting views, rooms were not included in those views. Now, rooms are included, allowing for better visualization and more comprehensive data capture.
- With DWG format, does that mean Civil 3D and Plant3D models will be compatible?
3D Civil and Plant, yes. Keep in mind that it is still in beta, and we are seeking feedback.
Pricing
- For the most recent information around pricing, please visit https://inTandem.autodesk.com/pricing/.
Revit
- There is a plug-in for Revit?
Yes, there is. It allows you to sync parameter data between Tandem <> Revit. Check it out here: https://help.autodesk.com/view/TANDEM/ENU/?guid=Tandem-revit-add-in
- Are we looking at a Revit model opened in Tandem, or is this its format? Curious about interactions with live changes and possible integration with Dynamo. Is Tandem API open?
Tandem supports bi-directional synchronization with Revit through a plug-in. This plug-in enables users to map parameters between Tandem and Revit, modify them in either platform, and synchronize changes. Additionally, there’s a full API available for Tandem, providing public access to all data. This API supports integration with tools like Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) and third-party platforms.
Other
- Does Tandem offer an education license? (I need it for study purposes and to teach students.)
We do not currently offer an education license. However, you can use Tandem Free as needed for education purposes.
- Can you share the applicability of the digital twin in a custom residential market where some things may not be as repeatable as in a suburban development or commercial development condition?
We have not directly explored single-family residential scenarios. I don't see why it could not be applied to those scenarios, but we see Tandem more commonly applied to multi-family residential and larger facilities where asset performance is key to the business's success.
- What is the primary purpose of this software?
Autodesk Tandem is a digital twin solution designed to help deliver smarter buildings. It leverages BIM as a foundation to visualize and contextualize data owners and operators care about to manage their buildings more efficiently.
- Data residency and data sovereignty
Tandem is cloud-only, and today, data is stored in North America. We are working on EU data center support, which will likely be available in the first half of next year.
- Is this on the timeline for FedRAMP certification?
We don't have immediate plans for FedRAMP certification. We will work toward SOC2 first and then consider FedRAMP.
- Can this be an on-premises solution or strictly a cloud solution? If it is a cloud solution only, where is the data stored? In the US or elsewhere? Data residency and data sovereignty constraints may be a concern to folks.
Tandem is cloud-only, and today, data is stored in North America. We are working on EU data center support. Regardless of where it is stored, it is your data, not ours. We have strict policies about this. There is no on-premise option on the roadmap, but you can choose how much of your data you want to put in the cloud.
- As a facility's design progresses, from conceptual to CDs being considered 100% of total design time, roughly what percent of additional time is necessary to fully develop the digital twin model?
This will depend on the use case. Some starter questions to ask your team: Who will use the data? What data is needed, and how will you collect it? How will the data be maintained?
Another recommendation is to conduct a pilot project to understand what data is already available in your design models (focus on a specific floor and asset type). From there, you'll have a baseline for creating a digital twin for the entire building.
- Is it possible that in the future, new connections or templates can be created?
Templates are merely a starting point but can be customized. Below are some resources for reference
- Is there an easy way to toggle from Celsius to Fahrenheit?
Yes. navigate to the "viewer settings" from the menu in the top right corner, under "Configuration," scroll down to find those settings.
- Can you compare features with ESRI? Explain how this is different/better?
Tandem focuses on BIM data and facility operations, while ESRI excels in managing outdoor spatial data. Some of our customers use Tandem for building-specific data and ESRI for campus or external assets. We’re exploring opportunities for interoperability between the two, leveraging each platform's strengths. These discussions are ongoing, but we see them as complementary rather than competitive tools.
- I am currently working on my thesis titled "The Use of Digital Twins with Autodesk Tandem in a Metro Project" and need to monitor temperature, humidity, and air quality in a metro station as part of the practical phase.
To collect the required data, I am considering two approaches:- Purchasing physical sensors for real-time data collection.
- Using a REST API (e.g., via Postman) to simulate or retrieve environmental data.
Could you please advise which option would suit my research? Your input will greatly help ensure the effectiveness and accuracy of my project.
Perhaps both? You can query something like https://openweathermap.org/api and send that data to Tandem using something like Tandem Connect or a Python program - but any environmental data will be general to where their sensors are actually located and could be different than what is actually happening within a metro station. You can then get live sensor data located at the metro station and compare and correlate that to what that 3rd party platform is reading. Sensors located physically in the metro station will be your best bet in my opinion!
Jessica Smith
Content Marketing Specialist, Autodesk Tandem
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