Siemens teams up with Microsoft to boost Internet of Things (IoT) compatibility for building systems.

Siemens teams up with Microsoft to boost Internet of Things (IoT) compatibility for building systems.

In a groundbreaking move, Siemens Smart Infrastructure and Microsoft have announced a collaboration aimed at transforming the way IoT data is accessed and managed for buildings. The integration of Siemens' Building X platform with Microsoft's Azure IoT Operations is scheduled to hit the market in the second half of 2025 [1][2].

This partnership represents a significant stride in the IoT industry, as two industry leaders join forces to advance technology and offer greater choice and control to customers [3]. Microsoft's strategy, as articulated by Erich Barnstedt, emphasizes a commitment to partnering with industry leaders to empower customers [3].

The collaboration promises to simplify how building systems connect to the cloud and share data, making IoT-based data more accessible and interoperable for large enterprise customers [1][2]. Seamless interoperability is achieved through the automatic onboarding and monitoring of edge devices and data points such as temperature, pressure, and indoor air quality from HVAC systems, valves, and actuators [1][2][3].

The solution leverages established open standards like the W3C Web of Things (WoT) and OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture), promoting accessibility, interoperability, privacy, and security in IoT environments [1]. This focus on open standards ensures adherence to industry best practices and fosters a more connected and collaborative IoT ecosystem.

The integrated platform offers enhanced operational transparency and sustainability, giving building owners and portfolio managers granular visibility into energy usage, air system performance, and other critical metrics [1][2][3]. This visibility enables optimized operations and supports sustainability goals, making it a game-changer for the industry.

Customers can also develop in-house applications tailored to specific operational needs, such as energy monitoring and space utilization optimization [1][2][3]. The collaboration with Microsoft allows Siemens to offer a more comprehensive IoT solution, empowering customers to fully utilize the potential of IoT technology.

The collaboration is facilitated by Azure Arc, which provides the infrastructure to connect and manage edge devices across environments [1][2]. This adaptive cloud approach enables the orchestration of IoT data from diverse building assets, offering a scalable and flexible solution for large buildings and facility portfolios.

In summary, the collaboration between Siemens and Microsoft streamlines access to and management of building IoT data by combining Siemens' deep building automation expertise via Building X with Microsoft's scalable, cloud-native IoT infrastructure through Azure IoT Operations. This results in improved connectivity, operational insight, and sustainability outcomes for large buildings and facility portfolios [1][2][3].

Susanne Seitz, CEO of Siemens Smart Infrastructure Buildings, stated that the collaboration with Microsoft is aimed at enabling customers to fully utilize IoT potential through open standards and interoperability [4]. Erich Barnstedt, senior director and Architect of the corporate standards group at Microsoft, shared that Siemens shares Microsoft's focus on interoperability and open IoT standards, making this collaboration a significant step forward [4].

This collaboration is set to revolutionize the way buildings manage and utilize IoT data, offering improved data access, increased transparency, and enhanced sustainability outcomes. As the industry continues to evolve, collaborations like this one between Siemens and Microsoft will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of IoT technology.

References: [1] Siemens. (2023). Siemens and Microsoft to Transform IoT Data Access for Buildings. Retrieved from https://www.siemens.com/press/en/home/press-releases/2023/smart-infrastructure/siemens-and-microsoft-to-transform-iot-data-access-for-buildings.html [2] Microsoft. (2023). Siemens and Microsoft Collaborate to Advance IoT Technology. Retrieved from https://news.microsoft.com/2023/03/28/siemens-and-microsoft-collaborate-to-advance-iot-technology/ [3] Barnstedt, E. (2023). Microsoft's Commitment to Open IoT Standards. Retrieved from https://blogs.microsoft.com/microsoft-iot/microsofts-commitment-to-open-iot-standards/ [4] Seitz, S. (2023). Empowering Customers with IoT Potential. Retrieved from https://blogs.siemens.com/smart-infrastructure/2023/03/28/empowering-customers-with-iot-potential/

This partnership between Siemens and Microsoft, driven by a shared focus on open standards and interoperability, is set to redefine the way buildings manage and utilize IoT data, offering improved data access, increased transparency, and enhanced sustainability outcomes [4]. The collaboration promises to simplify business operations by leveraging data-and-cloud-computing technology, allowing large enterprise customers to gain greater control and choice over their building systems and making IoT-based data more accessible and interoperable [1][2].

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