Digitalization
Management Approach
Digitalization in the building automation industry offers powerful tools for analyzing and optimizing HVAC systems. The applications for smart performance devices are vast, spanning from easiness of installation, digital support during commissioning and system integration, monitoring and optimization during operation, or data analytics. Belimo’s Digital Ecosystem unites all these elements into a cohesive, holistic, and integrated ecosystem, actively advancing industry digitalization and transforming the way customers work and experience its field devices in smart buildings.
Belimo Digital Ecosystem
By providing seamless and secure access to its digital ecosystem, Belimo lays the digital foundation for customers to optimize their energy and comfort solutions and maximize the value of their installations. Digitally supported workflows and quality checks deliver transparent and actionable insights allowing them to obtain highly reliable solutions. Additionally, data analytics enable Belimo to track changes in device usage and application trends, ensuring its field devices remain relevant and continue providing value for both Belimo customers and end users. Supporting building Internet of Things (IoT) platforms, providing edge logic, and valuable data are strong drivers for differentiation and contribute to the Company’s growth.
During the period under review, the Belimo Digital Ecosystem advanced in four key areas:
- Intelligence: Enhanced the onboard software for intelligent HVAC applications – such as demand-controlled ventilation – that operate on each of its digital devices.
- Integration: Enabled digital communication between its devices and other digital agents such as Building Automation and Control Systems and Building IoT solutions, allowing for seamless integration and access to valuable data.
- Interaction: Streamlined interactions between installers and field devices through the new Belimo Assistant 2 App consolidating previous generations of applications.
- Insight: Enabled the integration of digital twin data from its field devices, providing valuable operational insights
The growth of the Belimo Digital Ecosystem and its applications during the reporting period is reflected in the increasing number of collaborators, totaling 32. To ensure the scalability of this ecosystem, all Belimo devices are modular, with standardized digital interfaces, offering multiple advantages. For instance, standardizing interfaces across field devices makes it easier to comprehend their digital capabilities, enabling users to leverage all features efficiently.
Integration of Belimo Field Devices
Belimo continues to expand its range of digitally integrated, cloud-capable devices as well as those that generate their own digital twins. Customers with a Belimo IoT device also gain ownership of its digital twin and the data it collects. They can access it through the Belimo Cloud or an application program interface (API) – which can be used by third-party applications – and aggregate the data collected by Belimo devices for a holistic building overview.
Belimo’s subject matter experts are dedicated to this area, ensuring the Company maintains its global leadership in HVAC systems. In addition to providing top-tier products for traditional applications, Belimo aims to lead in digital solutions of HVAC applications and drive industry digitalization forward. To achieve this, Belimo supports all major industry-standards, communication technologies, and protocols, keeping up with market trends and preparing for emerging standards.
Digitalization Initiatives in 2024
The implementation of the new CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) software will enable Belimo to improve the quality and efficiency of its entire quotation and order process. This important addition to the customer relationship environment was tested in pilot sites in 2024. A full roll-out is planned for 2025.
Another milestone was reached with the implementation and rollout of the RetroFIT+ web portal, which supports the product and service offering designed to simplify and improve HVAC retrofit projects. This portal guides customers through product selection, customized solutions, cost and energy savings estimates, and project planning tailored to their specific retrofit needs.
For customers engaged in digital construction, Belimo offers high-quality CAD and Building Information Modeling (BIM) files of its products. These files can be integrated into the design tools and BIM data platforms, enabling precise planning and simulations during early project phases. By offering high-quality BIM data, Belimo advances industry digitalization and establishes itself as a compelling choice for customers over competitors.
Digital Supply Chain
As part of Belimo's supply chain strategy, a multi-year program is underway to replace legacy software and strengthen capabilities for managing inventory and the movement of goods across warehouse and production floors using a modern digital platform. In addition to rolling out the platform at key sites, new features are being introduced to enhance the overall efficiency of logistics processes, benefiting customers through improved order quality and reduced delivery times.