Common Data Environment (CDE) Services

Common Data Environment (CDE) has become a key element in BIM projects for new and existing industrial and public real estate portfolios with many assets. Many global industry corporates are implementing CDE across the entire building lifecycle. A CDE is the relevant building information backbone that joins, centralises and combines building data for further analysis, simulation, optimisation and certification to drive Digital Twin, sustainability and ESG.

In a construction project, a uniform, neutral and centralised communication and monitoring system is crucial. It ensures that the project can be delivered on time and all stakeholders are informed and up to date. CDE for construction is necessary to minimise mistakes that often occur when there is no project management structure, BIM for construction, central information management and a collaboration platform. 

TÜV SÜD services for CDE and BIM projects

• CDE pre-project advisory including process-workflow-technology benchmark, tender specifications development, technology provider pre-qualifications, etc
• CDE tendering and procurement services such as development of CDE tender specifications and requirements on functional, contractual and data safety
• CDE Return-on-Invest (ROI) and commercial IT investment benchmarks, e.g., during CDE provider selection
• ISO 19650 implementation and certification on project and company level 
• CDE implementation for new build projects including setup and functional strategies, digital workflow templates, meta data protocols, user/ role/ access concepts, development of information model/ BIM requirements
• CDE implementation for existing building portfolios including development of building data models, data migration protocols and concepts, definition of APIs between the CDE and other solutions, such as CAFM, ERP, DMS or IoT / BMS 
• Cybersecurity for CDE solutions for building owner/ investor

TÜV SÜD CDE guideline

The CDE guideline developed by TÜV SÜD is used by public and industrial asset owners or project sponsors during the process of tendering, procurement, setting up or using a Common Data Environment for BIM projects. TÜV SÜD provides an impartial and independent interface between technology providers, building owners and the appointed parties. We guide clients on the application of CDE across companies, disciplines and building lifecycle phases. The guideline is aligned with ISO 19650-1, ISO 19650-2 and ISO 19650-3. 

Download CDE guide

The benefits of TÜV SÜD CDE services

Reduce the time and costs involved in selecting, integrating and using a suitable Common Data Environment, especially for critical and lifecycle-influencing project setups.

Enable better planning quality, punctual implementation without changes based on digital building information.                             

Practical and strategic optimisation of facility management in the later operating phase.                                                                                                             

Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards such as ISO 19650 for common data environments.                                                                                                             

Reduce data handling and management cost with as-built data transfer to the computer aided facility management (CAFM) software.

Allow building owners and commercial real estate investors to take better control of documentation quality, design quality and maturity, and construction cost structures.

Why choose TÜV SÜD CDE serviceS?

• TÜV SÜD possesses the know-how for a successful CDE implementation such as relevant commercial/ financial competency, technical construction knowledge, practical and project-related BIM/ CDE experience as well as the necessary IT and data safety regulations.
• TÜV SÜD is impartial and CDE technology-agnostic. We have a proven track record for the procurement and implementation of more than 15 different CDE technologies. Each was selected to best fit the requirements of the customers.
• As the knowledge interface between CDE solution providers, building owners and the appointed parties, TÜV SÜD is in the prime position to ensure the best customer care and customer success management , as well as optimising and finetuning the CDE solutions.
• As an accredited certification body, TÜV SÜD can benchmark, audit and certify the use of BIM and CDE on the company and project level according to ISO 19650.
• As a real estate and infrastructure expert, TÜV SÜD supports the development, implementation and utilisation of CDE content such as workflows, file containers, meta data and data models for design, construction and operation, including CAFM software, cost counting tools, 4D/5D tools, ESG and sustainability assessment solutions, IoT infrastructures etc.
• With our public administration experience, TÜV SÜD local experts have the competency to support the procurement, tender and selection process of CDE for ministry, authority and municipality for infrastructure projects.

Project references

The CDE project reference section is a collection of some projects that TÜV SÜD has completed for various clients in different industries. These projects contain TÜV SÜD services such as CDE procurement, CDE implementation, project management and etc. They showcase our expertise in the field of Common Data Environment and highlight key benefits of our customer engagement. 

Ministry of Defense Germany: 33,100 assets and 6,000 new builds (SAP technology)

• Save 25,000€ of documentation cost per project through CDE handling of BIM as mode of documentation. The ministry started 20 BIM projects in 2020. Thus, 500,000€ was saved on paperwork in 2020. 
• Potentially save 15 million € in terms of productivity through the use of CDE as the central communication and collaboration platform for upcoming projects and facility management
• Save 40,000-mandays for the next planned 1,000 projects by reducing waiting time during project handover between BMVg and federal construction offices
• Save 120,000 work hours per annum by minimising rework and recreation of building documentation for facility management, and maintenance and repair schemes

Sao Paulo Housing Secretariat (SEHAB): Reconstruction program with more than 11,000 flats (Trimble technology) 

• Enable all project stakeholders of the BIM project to work and collaborate on one central CDE platform through digital information management in design and construction
• Centralise BCF communication for change and claim management including BIM model checks through CDE platform

Other projects include:

• Pro Sieben Sat 1 Media Conglomerate: 120,000 sqm new builds and existing assets with 200,000 sqm GFA (Autodesk technology)
• German National Bank: High security campus (Thinkproject technologies)
• Bavarian State Construction Authority: The state’s Construction Ministry and their 22 countrywide construction authorities, with a public tender volume of 24.5 million €
• Max Planck Society: General management group and all 80+ research institutes (530+ existing assets) with an annually recurring construction volume of 170 million €
• City of Leverkusen, Germany
• Ministry of Human Resource Development of India: IIT Palakkat University campus construction programs (Autodesk technology)