Siemens and Microsoft team up to boost Internet of Things (IoT) compatibility for construction projects
In a significant move towards enhancing the Internet of Things (IoT) data access and actionability, Siemens Smart Infrastructure and Microsoft have announced a collaboration agreement. This partnership aims to simplify the connection and data sharing of building systems to the cloud through the integration of Siemens' Building X platform with Microsoft's Azure IoT Operations.
The collaboration, set to be available from the second half of 2025, will enable interoperability between Siemens' digital building platform, Building X, and Microsoft Azure IoT Operations. This integration will empower large building owners, such as commercial building managers, universities, and data centers, to easily collect, access, and utilize IoT data from their facilities.
Key objectives of this collaboration include automatic onboarding and monitoring of devices like HVAC systems, valves, and sensors, sending critical data such as temperature, air quality, and pressure directly to the cloud for seamless management. It also aims to enhance operational visibility by allowing customers to track energy use, monitor air systems, and build customized tools for space and equipment management, enabling smarter building operations and improved sustainability.
Supporting open standards and interoperability is another significant aspect of this partnership. The collaboration uses open industry standards, including W3C Web of Things (WoT) and OPC UA for communication of data to the cloud. This ensures customers are not locked into a single vendor ecosystem and can flexibly design their IoT architecture with one-click device onboarding.
Moreover, the partnership leverages Azure Arc and adaptive cloud infrastructure to provide a robust framework for connecting edge devices and integrating IoT data. This facilitates real-time insights and optimization across building portfolios.
Susanne Seitz, CEO of Siemens Smart Infrastructure Buildings, comments that the collaboration with Microsoft reflects a shared vision of enabling customers to harness the full potential of IoT through open standards and interoperability. Erich Barnstedt, senior director and Architect of the corporate standards group at Microsoft, adds that this collaboration is a significant step forward in making IoT data more actionable.
This partnership marks one of the first integrations of IoT data purely based on open standards across providers. It underscores Microsoft's strategy of partnering with industry leaders to empower customers with greater choice and control over their IoT solutions. The improved data access provided by this collaboration will give portfolio managers granular visibility into critical metrics such as energy efficiency and consumption.
Customers can develop their own in-house use cases such as energy monitoring and space optimization with the solution. With one-click device onboarding to the cloud and efficient data exchange, customers will have the freedom to design their IoT architecture without being confined to a single vendor ecosystem.
Azure IoT Operations provides tools and infrastructure to connect edge devices, integrate data, and optimize operations for organizations. The interoperability between Siemens' Building X and Azure IoT Operations will be available on the market from the second half of 2025. This integrated system is expected to unlock the full potential of smart building data, helping organizations optimize operations, reduce energy consumption, and improve occupant comfort through better data-driven decisions.
Technology, data-and-cloud-computing play a crucial role in the collaboration announced by Siemens Smart Infrastructure and Microsoft, aimed at enhancing the Internet of Things (IoT) data access and actionability. This partnership utilizes technology to integrate Siemens' Building X platform with Microsoft's Azure IoT Operations, enabling smooth data collection, access, and utilization from various facilities on a global scale.