Siemens Smart Infrastructure has joined forces with Microsoft in a strategic partnership set to redefine the future of smart buildings. Together, they aim to revolutionise how building data is accessed, integrated, and used—making it dramatically easier for organisations to tap into real-time insights. This collaboration is poised to drive greater operational efficiency and sustainability across industries.

Open IoT: A New Era for Smarter, Greener Buildings

At the heart of this alliance is the powerful integration of Siemens’ Building X digital platform with Microsoft’s Azure IoT Operations, supported by Azure Arc. Azure IoT Operations, a critical part of Microsoft’s adaptive cloud strategy, bridges the gap between edge devices and cloud computing. By seamlessly connecting and managing devices from edge to cloud, businesses can unlock the full potential of their IoT infrastructure and streamline building operations.

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Breaking Down Data Silos for Enterprise Innovation

This open integration empowers large enterprises—including commercial real estate firms, data centres, and universities—to access a broader range of vital building data with ease. Critical IoT metrics like temperature, pressure, and indoor air quality from HVAC systems, valves, and actuators will be readily available in the cloud. Automatic device onboarding and continuous monitoring ensure that this data flows effortlessly, allowing organisations to build custom solutions for energy management, space optimisation, and more—without manual intervention.

Freedom from Vendor Lock-in: Building on Flexibility

What sets this partnership apart is its commitment to openness. Unlike traditional solutions that lock customers into proprietary ecosystems, Siemens and Microsoft champion vendor-neutral architectures. Enterprises can combine Siemens’ hardware and software with third-party systems, offering unmatched flexibility to create tailor-made IoT solutions that address their unique business needs.

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Powered by Open Standards for a More Accessible Future

The joint solution is built on trusted, open industry standards such as the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web of Things (WoT) and the Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA). These frameworks provide a universal language for describing device metadata and interfaces, ensuring seamless, secure communication between devices and the cloud. Both Siemens and Microsoft are active contributors to these global standards bodies, driving greater interoperability, accessibility, and cybersecurity across the smart infrastructure industry.

Redefining the Future of Smart Buildings

Together, Siemens and Microsoft are removing long-standing barriers in IoT adoption, giving enterprises the tools to create smarter, greener, and more responsive buildings. By enabling open access to critical building data, they are laying the foundation for a more sustainable and connected future.