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This Research Note examines the emerging strategic priorities of Siemens Buildings business in 2024, part of Siemens Smart Infrastructure Division. This analysis is intended as a non-exhaustive indicator of their strategic direction in the smart buildings sector between October 2022 and June 2024, updating our previous Research Note, part 1 and part 2 published in October 2022. We cover selective relationships specific to their Buildings business, including Enlighted, J2 Innovations and Wattsense subsidiaries, and Next47, the corporate venture capital arm of Siemens. Strategy Mapping of Siemens Smart Buildings 2024 Smart Buildings, IoT Platforms, Connectivity In July 2024, UL Solutions announced its collaboration with Siemens through the SPIRE qualification program that expands access to expert resources and helps the smart building industry meet the rising demand for building assessments. Siemens assessors will perform a SPIRE Smart Building Assessment to gain deeper insights into customers’ facilities and buildings and submit findings for independent review by UL Solutions. […]

Fire has always been a leading concern for buildings and regulators, which has led to compliant fire safety systems in almost every commercial building in developed economies around the world. However, this traditional stringency around fire safety has separated fire safety from wider building systems as they continue their rapid digital transformation and comprehensive interconnection. Legacy Challenges for Fire Safety Systems The most obvious challenges to fire safety systems striving to connect with the rest of the building are around legacy issues. Many fire safety systems in operation in buildings today have been in place for decades, often still dependent on manual processes and maintenance protocols. Lifespan for these legacy systems is limited by experienced labor becoming increasingly rare and spare parts gradually becoming more difficult to find. The greatest challenge to connecting fire safety systems, however, is interoperability with smart building systems they have little in common with. But “By implementing a digitalized fire […]

In this Research Note, we examine the possibility of Autodesk, the $5.5 billion architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) software giant acquiring Eptura, the IWMS player formed in October 2022 from the merger of 10 separate workplace software brands. We review the relationship between the two companies, highlight Autodesk’s strategy to extend its portfolio into building operations and facility monitoring and provide a Memoori view on the topic. A recent blog on Embracing the Future with AECO in June 2024 by Amy Bunszel, Autodesk Executive Vice President, Architecture, Engineering and Construction Solutions, discussing the extension of the AEC model into the Operations phase of the building lifecycle, prompted us to speculate on such an acquisition. Autodesk Partnership & Strategic Investment in Eptura Autodesk’s focus across the broader Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) ecosystem includes an alliance with Eptura. The Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) player offers a unified software portfolio across space planning, workplace scheduling, […]

This Research Note examines Schneider Electric’s agreement to increase its ownership in Planon to a controlling stake of 80%, announced in Schneider Electric’s Half Year 2024 financial results on 31st July 2024. Transaction Details On July 30, 2024, Schneider Electric signed an agreement to increase its ownership of Planon to a controlling stake of 80%. The transaction would further strengthen Schneider’s agnostic software strategy, with Planon’s established footprint in the global buildings market, cloud-based Integrated Workplace Management System offer, and subscription-based software business model well positioned to capitalize on the fast-growing smart building software market. The current transaction values Planon at a mid-single-digit revenue multiple, as was the case with the multiple for the initial minority investment of 25% in November 2020. The consideration paid for the minority investment amounted to €113 million in cash. The controlling stake remains subject to customary regulatory requirements and completion is expected in the coming months. On completion, Planon […]