You asked, we answered - Autodesk Tandem September 2024 webinar Q&A

[jessica_smith]

We had another great product update at our September 2024 webinar. Watch for the follow-up email for more information about Tandem at AU 2024, a link to the recording, and much more. 

Curious about where to find us at AU? Please Visit the AU website for more information. A full list of Tandem’s classes is pinned here at the top of our forum space. 

API & Integrations 

• Are there integrations with Maximo and other CMS platforms? 
  We have a new offering in beta called Tandem Connect. This integration platform supports tools like Maximo, other CMMS systems, BACnet-based building management systems, the Niagara platform, and more. It is currently accessible through our insider lounge and will be available to the broader market later this year. 

• Is Tandem connected / can it be connected to any predictive maintenance platform based on historical data and forecasts for O&M with AI? 
  Yes, we currently have a beta integration platform called Tandem Connect that allows Tandem to be connected to many O&M solutions, including BMS systems, CMMS / CAFM systems, and other types of OT/IT technology. 

• What is the format for the independent streams? For example, a BMS system uses BACnet, lighting control is DALI / DMX, etc. How are these data streams brought into Tandem? 
  It all comes into Tandem as HTTP post requests in JSON format. 

• What are the advantages of using Autodesk Tandem for Digital Twin versus developing a tool using Autodesk Platform Services in conjunction with Azure IoT Hub? 
  Autodesk Tandem gives you all the features you see out of the box to maintain your facilities. We aim to make building digital twins from Tandem easy and give the capacity to review the information in context. Indeed, some customers have developed their own solutions with the API, but those customers need to develop further features as the APS comes mainly with viewer and data structure. 

• Will this tie in with FlexSim? 
  Currently, no plans for this. 

• We are working on a large building in Singapore. Is it possible to link ta data of Tandem with Innoment? 
  We recommend trying to do so by utilizing our API or our beta feature, Tandem Connect. 

• How does the asset/product get fed into Tandem? We manage products in our system and would like to utilize Tandem. 
  We have a couple of avenues that allow for data to be sent to Tandem.
  • Tandem Connect (Currently in Beta)
  • Tandem API

If you still have questions after the webinar, feel free to post them here to our public forums. 

• I am having trouble finding resources for what types of sensors I need to incorporate for equipment to "sync" with this. 
  You can see other customer's work in terms of sensors in other webinars on intandem.autodesk.com. 

• In the future, could it be possible to operate IoT devices directly from the Tandem interface? For example, turn on the AC or change the temperature. It should be interesting to see if anomalies in historical data from Streams can trigger events. Also, for future planning of smart cities, are there integrations with Maximo and other CMS platforms? 
  As described in our interactions with Tandem Connect today, those can be set on schedulers or some event-based things coming into the system. We do expect that in the future, as we look at actionable insights and driving action, we might not be the CMMS product for managing maintenance tasks. However, we can look at how we review information that triggers an action.
  
  So that will be a combination of the work Chauncey just mentioned about actual insights and setting up rules of where it might be out of tolerance for a particular time-period, and that's going to say, send this information to the CMMS for the particular facility. That would happen through the combination of the Tandem platform and Tandem Connect. 

• Will we have the capability to forecasting how a building will behave under certain conditions, such as harsh climates, fire etc.? 
  There are two key areas to consider. First, there’s the design and planning of the building. We have an Autodesk Insights product that focuses on the design life cycle and predicts how a building will perform based on its systems, environmental conditions, and other factors, including energy utilization and carbon analysis. This capability will continue to expand in the future.
  
  On the other hand, Tandem serves as the tail end of that process—how the building actually performs. By integrating these approaches, we gain a complete view of the built asset life cycle, from our expectations to actual performance. This helps us refine the design and make necessary changes to ensure the building continues to operate effectively under various conditions.
  
  Regarding Autodesk Insights, some of our customers are already using simulated data and integrating it into Tandem. It’s important to note that our time series interactions are not limited to current or past data; you can also input future data. This data can then be combined and reviewed in heatmap form, making it possible to interact with granular data for simulated purposes within Tandem.
  
  While we don't heavily focus on this now, more work is planned for the future. However, the ability to interact with such data through our streams capabilities is already available. 

Asset Data 

• The environmental data presented during the demo section is like what we can harvest from the Tridium Niagra platform and other BAS product specific head end software.  Albeit, it appears you have more flexibility with the presentation.  I see this as a data pass-through feature that already exists on the Niagra platform.  Our challenge is how to quickly interpret the data, identify anomalies (fault detection), performance metrices, and defining the response, in terms of defining specific optimization strategies, etc.  This is a data analytics problem, requiring some AI to assist with the analysis and response.  Does Tandem have plans to add the analytics features?  Also, in addition to uploading and presenting graphs, can it also upload and present the graphic screens typically found on BAS user screens? 
  The short answer is yes. We have received feedback from several customers regarding the need for analytics, and we are currently exploring this. 

• For Dashboards, can we visualize data within Revit Project Parameters? Specifically, if we have data for installation dates, useful life, warranty expiration dates. 
  Yes 

• Something like a Power BI with viewer? 
  We give more context than PowerBI, today we just show some of the features we are working in. You can check out features such as System Tracing where we automatically track services in the building
  • https://help.autodesk.com/view/TANDEM/ENU/?guid=tandem-system-tracing
  • other presentations from customers: Https://intandem.autodesk.com/resource/tandem-azure-digital-twin-dura-vermeer/ 

• How is this data collected? Does this equipment need to have some type of "smart" feature? 
  Yes, the stream data is coming from IoT devices, mainly the BMS of the building and sensors (IoT) devices. there is resources in our website about digital twins https://intandem.autodesk.com/about-digital-twins/ 

Documents 

• Can you import 3D images of equipment? 
  We recently updated the supported file types to upload documents. More information can be found here.
  
  If the file type these images are not a supported file type, you can store the images elsewhere and associate a link to the asset via a link parameter. 

Handover 

• Did you guys make this model during the design phase of the project, so now you can track it in an "operations management" type of way? 
  The models you see are Autodesk Toronto offices. Those models were created after we occupied the offices. But we indeed have customers creating models during design phases with the aim to use them for operational management. 

• The digital twin should be transferable with the Docs container. E.g., if the physical asset is sold, the asset owner transfers. I create each single large capital project on their hub for now. 
  Tandem Digital Twins are transferable. We have a Facility Transfer feature that can move a twin from one account to another. Click here to learn more. 

Modeling 

• We are working with large central plants that supports major acute care hospitals.  How large of a central plant has Tandem supported, in general terms? 
  Tandem has supported significant projects, including a hospital with over 200 models. While we don't have the exact square footage, it includes millions of elements. We aim to handle large buildings and are committed to solving problems on any scale. If we encounter buildings that exceed our capabilities, we work closely with customers to find solutions. 

• What if the linked models have different Levels naming? 
  You will see all of them, but you can merge them inside Tandem to simplify them from multiple levels. 

• Can this platform integrate with laser scan point cloud files? 
  We've used a hyperlink to connect to something like Matterport. Our viewer doesn't currently support direct integration, but we do have customers who leverage the spatial boundary and link to a laser scan. Customers have created links like this with specific locations, but we don't directly integrate with that today.
  
  If you have the opportunity, we encourage those watching to visit our website and review previous webinars. We've had a couple of customers discuss the scan-to-BIM process of integrating existing buildings into Tandem that way as well. 

Other 

• Will this be FedRamp certified for Gov't work? 
  Tandem is currently not FedRamp certified. 

• Is Tandem only the Autodesk tool for Digital Twin? What’s its advantages compared to other products (within Autodesk or other vendors) 
  The main differentiator of Tandem within Autodesk and other vendors is its capability of managing and viewing your data—parameters from BIM and, more importantly, IoT stream data from the building—in context with 3D models. The goal of our Digital Twin product is to focus on operational workflows and enable a better understanding of the buildings in operation so customers can make better decisions. 

• How can I deepen my knowledge of Autodesk Tandem? 
  We recommend reviewing our Autodesk Knowledge Network site and public forum space. The forum is excellent for posting questions, starting a discussion, and asking for help.  
   
  Additionally, you could join our beta community, the Insider Lounge, to get the scoop on some of our upcoming features. 

• How does the program divide and section the areas? Is it a configuration that needs to be set before exporting to Tandem, or does Tandem automatically establish them? 
  Tandem uses the levels, rooms, and spaces in the BIM model to drive this interaction. 

• Can you clarify a little bit about the subscriptions I need to use Tandem? I populate my Streams using Postman. 
  For subscription and pricing, visit our website > https://intandem.autodesk.com/pricing/
  
  I also recommend checking out our API documentation about sending data to Tandem, here >  https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/tandem-data-api 

• Is it possible to have the option of a viewer with specific information for users who do not handle the tool but something very specific, for example, One view with names of rooms, area, and cost per area? 
  Yes, with the Saved Views feature. 

• How would you utilize Autodesk Tandem software in a metro project? 
  Check out this story > https://intandem.autodesk.com/resource/metro-stations-conducting-efficient-operations-with-digital-t... 

• When in viewing mode, is it possible to have a small "key plan" to show the location of the building (especially on large projects) or even grid lines? 
  This idea has been considered but hasn't been a priority so far. However, we are exploring ways to improve navigation and understand spatial contexts better. Hyper modeling, a feature in Autodesk's design collaboration tools, offers a similar concept where a 2D view helps navigate a 3D model, which could be incorporated in the future. 

Owner/Operator 

• Do you guys empower the future Facility Manager to deploy AR in the building? 
  Not yet, but we do have a new Workshop XR product and our future plans "may" integrate these solutions. 

• Curious about who generally uses Tandem in the Operations phase, especially for tracking streams/systems. Is it the owner/facility? Or is it a VDCO/BIM professional who relays this to the owner? 
  This would depend on the nature of the building and the project team. If you post your question to our public forums, you'll get a broader audience > https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/tandem-forum/bd-p/tandem 

Roadmap 

• Do you plan to have Grid just like Levels? Using a combination of Levels & grid will be great to visualize and get to the required area of interest. 
  Not now as it is more a 2D type of info than a cut plane. 

• Is that something that could be in the plans in the future? A significant portion of our clients require this 
  We don't currently have this on our roadmap, visit our public roadmap here, for future updates. You can also vote on these items and submit ideas! 

• We´re looking for a software that can help us visualize data changes from Plant 3D PID´s in real time while using Revit for modeling (to avoid lost info. when changes are made to equipment tags, names, etc.) Can we do this with Tandem? 
  Tandem can track changes in the 3D models and attribute values, but we do not have a connection to the P&ID. That is an often-requested feature but not yet on our roadmap. 

• Is the timeline available?  I do not see the ability to pop out the inventory, stack charts, or activate the timeline. 
  Combined charts is available. The link to the forum is here.
  
  The popout Inventory and timeline are being developed. When they are released, we will post them on our various social channels. 

• What analytics or predictive maintenance capabilities are built into Autodesk Tandem for facility operations? 
  Today, it's all visual analytics. However, we are developing extensible analytics. We will also offer capabilities like energy analytics, operational carbon, and system maintenance. We'll share our direction on this later this year. 

• Will electrical systems, such as riser diagrams depicting shut-down sequencing or scenarios, be included in the Twin? It seems focused mainly on HVAC. 
  Today, we display the 3D geometry that users bring from Revit or IFC. We do not support 2D annotations. Users can work with services through our systems, but we are looking at developing this more. 

Viewer 

• How do you make the wall transparent as you have shown? 
  You can use the filter to hide the walls, but it also automatically shows transparency as you rotate the model to allow you to see the interior.