The Q&A from the July 2024 webinar is here!

[jessica_smith]

Thank you to everyone who attended our latest webinar with Mateusz Lukasiewicz from KEO International. The interactions were significant, and the excitement was off the charts!

Keep an eye out for the invitation to our next one, as you won't want to miss it. If you missed this one, you can find the recording here.

I wanted to highlight some links and resources shared in the Q&A.

• Join the beta program > https://feedback.Autodesk.com/key/feature_testing
• Autodesk Tandem™ overview > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZupdzQhliI
• Autodesk Tandem™ website > https://inTandem.autodesk.com
• Autodesk Tandem™ for AEC > https://inTandem.autodesk.com/Tandem-for-aec-firms
• Autodesk Tandem™ for Owners > https://inTandem.autodesk.com/Tandem-for-owners/
• Autodesk Tandem™ Roadmap > https://inTandem.autodesk.com/Tandem-roadmap/
• Autodesk Tandem™ Resources > https://inTandem.autodesk.com/resources/
• Autodesk Tandem™ YouTube Channel > https://www.youtube.com/@autodeskTandem
• Log into Autodesk Tandem™ > https://Tandem.autodesk.com/

API

• How are existing CMMS systems such as AIMs integrated into Tandem?
  Users have done some work with our API > https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Tandem-forum/streams-resources/td-p/11973563
  
  Currently in beta, Tandem Connect could assist with this depending on the data being sent. Join our Insider Lounge and opt-in to the beta> https://feedback.Autodesk .com/key/feature_testing

• Does Tandem support Environmental analysis?
  Yes. Tandem supports monitoring and analysis of typical environmental parameters measured using sensors or IoT devices.
• What Data and IOT metadata standards are recommended for Tandem? ISO? BACnet? COBie?
  Tandem is open and flexible. Our intent was not to be locked into any existing standards. So, with Tandem Connect, for example, we can connect to back-end systems, tap into MQTT, and connect to other different protocols that may be used by sensor devices.
  
  Regarding metadata standards, we're pretty open there as well, supporting data structures such as a well-structured COBie deliverable. That makes asset data delivery into Tandem very clean, just mapping data directly from IFC files, Revit models, and other things into Tandem. So, Tandem is pretty open and flexible. I think you'll find that's why it's pretty easy to start with; we are flexible regarding data standards.

Asset Data

• Can you store all data sheets in Tandem? Can you track scheduled maintenance of equipment, etc.?
  Users can attach documents to an asset in Tandem. However, we are not a replacement for a work order system. We see Tandem as complimentary, so we are not looking to replace CMMS systems like Maximo.
• My company provides applications for the logistics and management of the installation of medical equipment, IT, and Furniture for hospitals. These assets alone are typically in the 10,000 assets to 50,000 assets. Has Tandem been used in hospitals?
  Asset-rich environments like hospitals, airports, and data centers are where digital twins provide the most value. We have several customers across these domains.
• Can custom asset parameters be added in Autodesk Tandem?
  You can create a Facility template with your classification and asset parameters via the Manage tab.
• Tandem model data is consolidated from Revit and Excel, but the Revit model may need to be updated with new assets in the future.
  • Is it possible to update the Revit model to the latest version?
  • Will the data from the previous Tandem model be retained or erased?
    Yes, users can update the models in Tandem with the latest version. Subsequent updates to these source models are indicated as available updates in Tandem. When an update is brought into Tandem, we ingest the changes made from the previous version and keep a timestamped history of the changes.

• Without built-in standards, are there ways of checking that the data in a Tandem model matches a given "standard"?
  The use of Tandem starts with defining your data standard in the form of a Facility Template. Tandem includes dashboard capabilities to report on data completeness against your data standard.
• What quality checks should be performed at the vendor, contractor, and subcontractor levels?
  You need to ensure that the data is fit for the intended purpose/use case.

File Types

• Are the 3D models built from CAD's or Lidar scans?
  Most models Tandem sees are in CAD. We support Rvt and IFC file types, with DWG/NWD file types in beta.
• Are there file size or file limit restrictions with Tandem? Can I upload 150 Revit files representing a campus and perform these analytics on all buildings?
  Tandem does not have a limit, and we have customers who have more than 200 models loaded. I think how you structure data in Tandem, individual facilities vs. the whole campus in a single twin, needs some thought in terms of the outcomes you are looking to achieve.
• Do we always need Revit when we are using Tandem if we want to do something on the digital twin model?
  We support IFC files as well. DWG/NWD file support is currently in beta. You can join the Insider Lounge and Opt-in to the beta at this link > https://feedback.Autodesk .com/key/feature_testing
• What is the source data for Tandem (3D model)? Is it just Revit, or can you create it using Navisworks?
  Revit and IFC, Navis, and DWG are in beta.
• Can an exported IFC from other Parametric modeling software be used instead of Revit?
  We support Revit and IFC, with Navis and DWG in beta.

Revit

• Revit modeling one day: does this mean you can use typical families to represent assets?
  In our case, we had an existing Revit model. However, because the model was quite old, there was not much preparation required on the Revit side.
  
  We wanted to assign specific numbers for the desks to identify them easily. One is the specific element in Revit. That was facilitated by parameter mapping, for instance, mark parameters for the rapid furniture category, which were the desks.
  
  The only special consideration in our case was the need to update spaces. So, as you recall from the presentation, we installed several IoT sensors to measure the air quality data. Tandem works by assigning the IoT data Connection to a specific element, which can be a room or space in Revit. So, to distinguish different zones in Tandem, we had to split a single room in the Revit model into three pieces that correspond to the estimated aerosols based on the sensor's placement. Apart from this, we didn't do any unique tweaks in the Revit model.
  
  I think it's essential to highlight that it depends on your objective of using Tandem because, as you notice, we are curious about the air quality, which was not associated with specific credit components except the spaces, and we focused a lot on the desks.
  
  However, if you look at the MEP systems and energy consumption tracking, other considerations must be made while modeling the MEP. In our case, we didn't even have an MEP model. That's why, depending on your case, the model can be very straightforward.

• Can Mateusz share the Cloud Connector and IOT device solutions you chose, and are they battery-operated?
  The process is very straightforward. It involves some predefined packages of sensors, or you can procure a specific one or three, depending on your needs. In terms of installation, it is super straightforward.
  
  The installation takes only a few hours. It's basically plug-and-play. After one hour, you can have access to the IoT service. That doesn't mean we already have a digital twin because the IoT service is not a default connected to Tandem. So that raises another challenge on our end: how we integrate the IoT platform with Tandem?
  
  We went ahead and checked the documentation and contacted an Autodesk specialist. The process of integrating the IoT platform and Tandem is super straightforward.
  
  Basically, you copy certain values from Tandem to IoT and the IoT platform, which provides some sort of connection on the platform level. Then, for each device, there's a unique external ID, that is again mapped to the corresponding entry in the IoT service platform. There are a couple of examples of sensors. Disruptive Technologies is one of the sensors used that we know works directly with Tandem.

• When running Dynamo scripts on Tandem projects (as in the printer impact example), is the script running in Revit or on the Tandem platform?
  It's running in Revit.

Tandem Connect

• Currently, I have tried to link the data from another sensor monitor system, but it doesn't have a BACnet IP or API URL; it can be delivered with FTP in CSV format. Does Tandem or Tandem Connect have a port that can receive this format and transform it into a Tandem streaming device? How can I get further information or instructions on how to connect them?
  Yes, either Tandem Connect or the API can incorporate that data. If you post your question to the Tandem Forums, the team can provide support for your use case. https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Tandem-forum/bd-p/Tandem
• How can we map BACnet data to assets using the Tandem connector?
  Yes, using the Tandem Connect beta, you can connect BACnet data to Tandem, which creates streams of time series data. These streams can be assigned hosts, which are assets. We use that host assignment to create heatmaps, show pins, etc.
• How can we integrate IBM Maximo with Autodesk Tandem?
  Tandem Connect is currently in beta and has been used for this. To learn more, click here to join our beta community and opt-in >https://feedback.Autodesk .com/key/feature_testing

General

• Where is Autodesk in their development of Tandem?
  Autodesk Tandem has been in development since 2019 and has been commercially available since 2021. Since then, we've continued to enhance existing capabilities and expand with new features and capabilities.
• Do you offer online certification courses to skill up and explore Autodesk Tandem?
  We don't currently offer Tandem certification courses, but plenty of online resources exist to learn more about Tandem. Your digital twin journey starts with Autodesk Tandem™.
  
  Sign up here for Autodesk Tandem for free to get started!

• Does this bilateral sensory connectivity behave similarly to what was instituted in Autodesk Dash?
  Dasher was a research project which informed and provided inspiration for the development of Autodesk Tandem.
• Can lighting devices from any manufacturer be tied into a digital twin system?
  Not any lighting system, but many out there could send data to Tandem. It's impossible to test out the 1,000s on the market to know for sure.
  
  Tandem Connect is currently in beta and would be worth exploring as it offers flexibility. Click here to join our beta community and opt-in >https://feedback.Autodesk .com/key/feature_testing
  
  Then, on this forum post, there are some resources listed > https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Tandem-forum/streams-resources/td-p/11973563

• Does Tandem have a Road Map?
  Yes! We have a published roadmap here > https://inTandem.autodesk.com/our-product-roadmap/
  
  Users can submit feedback and feature requests directly to the team by clicking "+Submit Idea" on the same page.

• Does the $2500 include the cost of software and Training?
  No.
• Can Tandem be used for infrastructure/rail/linear projects 20 miles + long?
  Tandem is currently optimized for vertical assets such as buildings, stations, etc. We can potentially use it for Infra projects such as bridges and tunnels. However, it is not optimized for linear infrastructure projects requiring linear referencing and support for geographic/projected coordinate systems.
• We are looking for Comprehensive Twins. Is that available, and Tandem provides it?
  Today, Autodesk Tandem is focused on descriptive and Informative twins, with Predictive on the horizon.
• Does Tandem look to replace CMMS systems or support them?
  We see Tandem as complimentary, so we are not looking to replace CMMS systems like Maximo.