From Z to A: Asset Intelligence

ZAi is an Open Ecosystem

Old Model: Many smart building solutions today follow a hub-and-spoke model.

All data flows through a single platform. It looks simple, but it’s rigid, opaque, and often leads to vendor lock-in. Interoperability is an afterthought, and scaling across buildings or systems requires costly customization.

New Reality: ONUMA, BIMgenie, and ZAi embody a system-of-systems approach.

Our work is grounded in open standards like IFC, COBie, and GIS-BIM protocols defined through the Open Geospatial Consortium and NIBS Digital Twin Subcommittee. These aren’t just checkboxes — they’re the foundation for scalable, modular, and secure digital twin ecosystems.

Centralized & Closed (bad!)

One central system controls everything
Integration depends on a single vendor
Data is stored and managed in one place
Changing vendors is difficult or costly
Failure at the center affects the whole system
Looks simple at first‚ but scales poorly
Like a toy with only one shape block: fast to assemble, but not flexible

Decentralized & Open (good!)

Decentralized (System of Systems Model)
Multiple systems talk to each other directly
Built on open standards
Each system manages its own data but shares context
Switching parts doesn't break the whole
Resilient to failure‚ continues working
Grows easily with new tech, apps, or users
Like LEGOs: infinite combinations from standard connectors

Beyond Talk — Proven at Scale

We don’t just talk about interoperability — we do it. ONUMA has connected over 5,000 buildings across the California Community Colleges system, with 1,500+ buildings linked to CMMS workflows through BIMgenie. That’s real-world, open digital twins in action — not demos, but deployed infrastructure.

Now, with Connection Profiles and alignment with C4SB and the IBB System, we’re scaling even further:
→ Any system. Any user. Any use case.
→ Open APIs. AI agents. Live maps. Secure data sharing.

This is a platform not for one solution, but for an ecosystem of solutions — purpose-built to create value, not lock-in.

Decentralized at Scale

ABC

Interoperable Building Box

vimeo.com/1054386074/a5d8504fbc

ZAi, powered by ONUMA, plays a foundational role in advancing the Interoperable Building Box (IBB) initiative. As early champions of open data standards, we’ve spent decades building the bridges that now make real-time, resilient digital twin ecosystems possible.

IBB + Connection Profiles: Built-In, Not Bolted-On

IBB-Ready Architecture: ZAi supports CNS/CP (Connectivity Naming System / Connection Profiles), enabling secure, purpose-driven communication between building systems—on-premises or in the cloud.
Live and Contextual Data: From sensors and equipment to space data and floorplans, ZAi facilitates real-time connections for users ranging from technicians to emergency responders.
Built on Open Standards: We don't just support IFC, COBie, and OGC standards—we’ve helped shape and deploy them at scale, including work with the Open Geospatial Consortium and NIBS Digital Twin Subcommittee.

From BIM to IBB: A System of Systems

ONUMA’s legacy in BIM-GIS integration and facility lifecycle management forms the data backbone for the IBB system. Our approach connects traditionally siloed systems—BIM, GIS, CMMS, sensors—into a modular, federated ecosystem. Like LEGO bricks with shared connectors, each part retains autonomy but works together.

Learn how ZAiMAP and ONUMA are helping buildings speak a common language—securely, openly, and at scale.

Free Mini Road Map for Owners

It’s easy to get swept up in promises of “smart buildings,” “digital twins,” and “AI-powered facilities” — but what’s often missing is clarity on what those terms really mean, and what questions owners should be asking before signing a contract.

That’s why we created a free two-page Mini Roadmap, designed specifically for facility owners, managers, and capital project leads.

This isn’t a sales brochure. It’s a practical checklist to help you:

Ask the right questions about data ownership, access, and interoperability
Understand the difference between real digital twins and flashy 3D graphics
Avoid long-term vendor lock-in by requiring open APIs and open formats like IFC and COBie
Know whether a solution will scale across your whole portfolio — or box you in
Start using what you already have (even if it’s just spreadsheets and floor plans)

You don’t need BIM, Digital Twin or a tech team to take control of your data.
You just need a framework and the confidence to ask the right questions.

Request the Mini Roadmap and start mapping a smarter, more open path forward.

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