Paper archives, scattered PDFs, and multiple unconnected systems (CMMS/BMS) are everyday reality for many universities. Toyo University tested a different approach: a 3D spatial interface built on Matterport Digital Twin and SIM-ON, where documents, manuals, event history, and tasks are accessible straight from the building’s map. The result? Far shorter time to information, fewer communication errors, and a complete work history in one place.
University facilities teams wrestle with fragmented documentation and tools. Toyo states it plainly: paper-based maintenance anchored in 2D drawings slows work down because information isn’t consolidated and is hard to find during inspections or repairs.
At Toyo University, an experiment led by Professor Shuhei Tazawa (School of Architecture) set out to test whether a spatial management interface built on a Matterport scan and SIM-ON can truly reduce time and bring order to FM (Facility Management) processes.
SIM-ON brings together a 3D model (captured with Matterport), technical and service documentation, IoT/BMS data, and the maintenance workflow. Instead of hunting for a filename, you click the device inside the model and immediately see: the manual, wiring or piping diagram, as-built photos, the history of tickets, and upcoming inspections.
At Toyo, 112 assets were tagged (fire extinguishers, hydrants, HVAC equipment, emergency lighting, fire doors, speakers, etc.). Each had linked PDFs, images, videos, alarms, and inspection schedules — all available in place on the virtual object.
Just as important, SIM-ON supports ticketing (tasks, assignees, priorities, statuses) and a timeline of events, making it easy to track what happened, when, and who did it.
Scope. A building was selected, a Matterport Pro2 scan was captured, and a 3D model was created. Operational data was added to the model, and items subject to mandatory inspections were exported to COBie, building a consistent as-built with an inspection layer.
Measured FM activities included: finding instructions/plans, logging a fault, assigning a task to a technician, and updating status. The team also ran a simulated HVAC failure and a speed test for accessing maintenance history and schedules.
Learning on a living campus model. A Digital Twin isn’t only an ops tool; it’s also a teaching platform. Architecture, construction, and engineering students can study real installations, simulate scenarios, and design optimizations on a functioning site.
Integrations and ecosystem. SIM-ON monitors IoT/BMS endpoints (e.g., KNX, NETxAutomation) and integrates with EAM/CMMS platforms (e.g., IBM Maximo), creating a single, spatial interface for technical, service, and operational data. In the experiment, the existing building automation system was connected to SIM-ON with a successful read of selected KNX sensors — confirming the platform’s readiness for broader use.
ESG and energy efficiency. Less paper means a smaller environmental footprint, and sensor data viewed in spatial context helps detect energy anomalies faster and improve occupant comfort. These directions align with the move toward centralized information and tighter control over inspection items.
Toyo’s case confirms it: a Digital Twin is an operational tool, not just a “pretty model.” Combined with SIM-ON, it shortens response times, dramatically speeds up document search, streamlines communication, and builds one shared source of truth — from the initial ticket to the final report. The biggest shift is the way of working: from “hunting through folders” to clicking the object in 3D.
