What is needed for BIM in existing buildings? The Keßler Group has gained extensive expertise in the development and application of the digital twin in existing buildings through concrete practical experience. Benefit from our experience!
Read more"Occupational health and safety" enables operators to take full responsibility. We are looking for practice partners for upcoming tools (qualification management, accident management)! Find out more here
Read moreGet to know the new ESG scoring tool. The innovative solution supports companies and institutions in fulfilling their ESG reporting obligations in an efficient and process-oriented manner and in making their building management more sustainable.
Read moreKeßler Solutions and akenza present themselves with topics around IoT & Augmented Virtual Reality at the BIM world MUNICH on 28. & 29.11.23! Get your free ticket now!
Read moreAs a central component of sustainable operations, the "Occupational Health & Safety" product family (formerly "Health and Safety") is integrated into the "Sustainability" specialist area.
Read moreThe new Workplace Management app supports you and your users in the uncomplicated and sustainable use of your space and resources - even independently without FAMOS!
Read moreWith the networking of devices, automation of processes and use of real-time data through IoT, FM is becoming more efficient. Find out more about the topic and the partnership with akenza here.
Read moreNew expertise from the ForeSight research project: The team at Keßler Solutions is also setting up the digital twin in the portfolio and synchronizing it bidirectionally with your FAMOS.
Read morePress release: From a 90s start-up to a full-service partner: Innovative, future-oriented and reliable - 25 years with a holistic approach! Read more here...
Read moreDiscover convenient initial data capture via app: efficiency-enhancing, resource-saving and user-friendly data capture / data digitization!
Read moreMarket research conducted by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) in 2020 on the mobile management of occupational health and safety (“e-health and safety”) in Germany shows that digitalisation in the field of occupational health and safety has strong growth potential. For example, the research shows that not even 2% of the (202) ICT solutions analysed used qualification and training management, and even fewer used digital operating instructions*. These proportions have certainly changed since 2020 – simply due to the increased requirements with and since the pandemic. However, many companies and institutions have still not tapped into this potential.
In recent years, there have been numerous optimisations of the occupational health and safety product package from Keßler Solutions, e.g. for instructions, the implementation of risk assessments and the creation of print-ready operating instructions via FAMOSweb including new manuals and workbooks, the management of hazardous substances and integration into the sustainability department with a view to the EU’s CSRD Directive. The team is now working on a powerful tool for qualification management with the following focal points:
Companies and institutions are being sought as practice partners for the conceptualisation of the complex technical requirements for qualification management and for the test phase of the new functions. If you have experience in the field of qualification management and would like to manage the qualifications in your company using CAFM, we cordially invite you to expand our expertise with your specific practical experience.
The CAFM software FAMOS from Keßler Solutions manages a wide range of important information that is essential in the event of an emergency. This includes, for example, locations of fire extinguishers or first aid kits, responsible persons such as first aiders or radiation protection officers, internal or external service providers such as cleaning, property protection, lift technology or insurance as well as CAD plans such as evacuation plans or routing systems.
In the event of an emergency, it is essential that all relevant data is made available at a glance. Ideally, directly with specific instructions for action, for example:
We are looking for practice partners with experience in operational emergency management to support the conceptual design and practical testing of our emergency management tool. Help shape the future general average dashboard – as a central overview for all relevant information in the event of an accident!
Would you like to find out more about a practice partnership? Are you interested in optimising occupational health and safety processes based on your experience? Are you new to the topic of digital management of AuG? Then contact our Innovation and Product Manager Mr Marcus Mühlberg or your responsible project manager informally by 31.12.2023.
What do we expect from you?
We work in small project teams with various specialists from the fields of IT, project management, systems analysis and occupational, organisational and health psychology and pursue agile approaches in the software development process. Become part of the respective project team by supporting us online or on site with your expertise. We hold short project meetings at regular intervals (4 weeks) and as required to define the individual development steps (sprints) and evaluate prototypes and developed functionalities, to which you are cordially invited. You will have the opportunity to try out the new functionalities in a specially set up test environment and optimise them together with us. A prerequisite is the use of the CAFM software FAMOS for the project period, if you are not already using it.
This is what we offer you:
You receive a powerful tool for your qualification management and can actively help shape its functionality at the same time. If you are not yet working with FAMOS, we also offer a wide range of other facility, property and asset management solutions. As part of the project realisation and strategic cooperation, we offer reduced product prices as an incentive and provide you with the damage management module free of charge for 3 years.
*Source of the “Market research on German-language internet-based applications for the implementation of organisational regulations of occupational health and safety (“E-Arbeitsschutz”)”: To the website with download link
The climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges of our time. In Germany, the operation of buildings accounts for around 35% of energy consumption and around 30% of CO₂ emissions. In order to achieve the climate targets, it is therefore essential to make building management more sustainable. With the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the European Union has adopted a new directive on sustainability reporting. The directive is intended to increase the transparency and comparability of sustainability reports and facilitate compliance with ESG reporting obligations.
The ESG scoring tool from Keßler Solutions is an innovative solution that helps companies and institutions to fulfil their ESG reporting obligations in an efficient and process-oriented manner and to make their building management more sustainable. The tool combines a variety of functions in a single platform, including
The ESG scoring tool collects data from various sources, such as CAFM, IoT platforms, maintenance systems, ERP/HR solutions and BIM. This data is processed automatically and in a structured manner to provide a comprehensive and transparent view of the property portfolio.
The condition of the property portfolio can be queried with regard to ESG criteria and presented using a scoring value. The individual holdings within a portfolio can thus be compared and priorities, e.g. for modernisation, can be set strategically. The ESG scoring tool supports the creation of standardised ESG reports in various formats that meet the requirements of different stakeholders. In future, reports in accordance with ESRS, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or the German Sustainability Code (DNK) will be integrated.
Reduction targets and measures to adapt business models in line with climate protection: the ESG scoring tool helps companies to assess their buildings and recognise how well they meet their climate targets and ESG criteria. Thanks to an informative data basis, optimisation potential can be quickly identified and measures to increase the sustainability of your building management can be developed and implemented. The digital twin can be used to simulate the implementation of measures.
With regard to all five environmental objectives of the Taxonomy Regulation, the ESG tool provides references and opportunities, e.g. strategies for climate protection measures (e.g. integration of renewable energies), comparison of adaptation strategies to climate change through simulations in the BIM model, recording of water usage patterns through data analysis with subsequent consumption optimisation, BIM-supported material monitoring for a sustainable circular economy and recognisability and thus avoidability of environmental pollution.
The tool is scalable and can be customised to the individual requirements of companies of any size. The quality and reliability of the data are guaranteed by the tool.
Currently only available in German
Your contacts from the sustainability team:
On 28nd 29 November 2023, Keßler Solutions will be exhibiting at BIM world MUNICH for the fifth time. This year we have the IoT practice partner akenza as our guest! At stand 33 in the foyer, IoT sensor technology and augmented reality can be tried out live in the digital twin. You will also receive information about BIM & CAFM in property management, 3D and 2D models and their benefits in CAFM, products and services for data and process digitalisation as well as sustainable energy and environmental management with the help of BIM and IoT.
For congress visitors, we recommend the presentation by Managing Directors André Keßler and Jens Schmolik on the second day of the fair, 29 November at 11:05 a.m. on Congress Stage 4 – BIM4FM on The forward-looking role of augmented virtual reality for sustainable real estate management. The lecture will be held in German, the presentation slides are in English. The IoT-use case of damage management will serve as an application example – find out more below!
Would you like to visit BIM world MUNICH? Then secure your free ticket for the exhibition, breakout sessions and BIM Town!
Visit Keßler Solutions and akenza at stand 33 in the foyer! Arrange your on-site appointment with our trade fair team at the same time!
The next evolutionary stage of digitalisation will go hand in hand with the integration of modern technologies in everyday life. IoT and AR/VR enable the creation of and virtual participation in digital worlds. Speaker André Keßler and Jens Schmolik from IoT partner akenza will present suitable use cases with IoT, digital models and their networking in the CAFM system. Such a system is indispensable as a platform, as it provides fundamental (live) data in the context of modern, holistic management. This allows processes in CAFM to be initialised/managed directly from the management system.
The integration of modern technologies and BIM dimensions into management creates efficiency and innovation, especially for investors and service providers. The potential for the structured, sustainable management of construction and building operations is enormous. Damage management serves as an IoT use case. In property management, this is crucial in order to effectively prevent and manage unexpected events and damage to properties. Keßler Solutions and akenza have combined damage management with IoT and digital models. Intelligent Agents and mechanisms identify potential weak points, warn in the event of acute damage or detect anomalies (e.g. illegal unauthorised removal). With the help of an AR image of the digital twin, technical staff can be directed to the scene of the incident* in the event of such or other alerts. Similar to a remote service, the technicians receive specific work orders and/or assistance instructions directly from the system while on the move on site –the virtual world supports reality. Such end-to-end processes, which display inconsistent resource consumption and thus avoid waste, which effectively design maintenance processes and thus relieve employees, which integrate sensors to immediately display hazards and thus optimise user safety, and which can do much more, offer great potential for the management and modernisation of real estate portfolios according to ESG criteria. In the presentation, the partners Keßler Solutions and akenza will give you a comprehensive and practical insight and look forward to your questions and/or your visit to stand 33, foyer.
* Visiting the digital twin in an AR environment is useful for a wide range of other stakeholders: virtual viewings, e.g. for prospective tenants who cannot come on site, as well as indoor navigation for visitors with restrictions or relocation management are further use cases.
**Iot and AR promote the fulfilment of the requirements for more sustainability in the building sector, e.g. through constantly updated data for sustainability concepts and reports and their success monitoring, through virtual variant planning with various optimisation measures or second life concept comparisons.
Click here for the full congress programme.
The recording of the web event with akenza: “IoT in the interplay of management” (in German).
The recording of the web event “CAFM and BIM” from 7.2.23 on Youtube (in German).
Press release 7.12.22: Comprehensive expertise on the digital twin in existing buildings.
Review of BIM world MUNICH 2022 with “Sustainability through data in BIM”. (currently only in German).
Review BIMuc22.
In April of this year, Managing Director André Keßler presented the company’s own approach to sustainable business models at the Web Event “Sustainable management in FM through CAFM and services” (in German). The visualisation is based on various specialist sources, such as the 3-pillar model with economy – ecology – social aspects as the equal pillars of sustainability. The three strategies of sustainable development must be applied in a complementary manner: Work better with what is available (efficiency),Analysing and tackling what can be changed (consistency) and creating awareness that “less of” is also an optimisation (sufficiency). External and internal transparency is also of central importance to Keßler Solutions and a necessary component of integrated, holistic business models.
For the broad subject area of “occupational health and safety”, there is an equivalent for all elements, for example:
The scope and complexity of the tasks involved and the associated significance for the company as a whole make it clear that “occupational health and safety” is a central task of company management. All associated measures are important components of operator responsibility and therefore a management task: employers and property/plant operators are responsible for the safety and health of all user groups.
In the first half of the year, Keßler Solutions therefore decided to define the “Safety and occupational health” product portfolio as a central component of sustainable management and operation. Products and services are integrated into the “Sustainability” department. As part of the reorganisation, the overall package of modules, processes and services was given the new name “Occupational Health and Safety”.
Managers are responsible for the fulfilment of statutory minimum standards (e.g. Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchg) or Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV)). If necessary, tasks from the respective area of responsibility are to be delegated to trained specialist personnel. The implementation of these tasks should be documented in a comprehensible and transparent manner in order to fulfil the legal requirements. The team at Keßler Solutions has created new work materials for users of “AuG” in order to provide the best possible support for those responsible.
Users of the FAMOS CAFM system can be provided with a detailed and constantly evolving workbook. This goes far beyond the standard manual: process-orientated, concrete questions and requirements from practical application are worked through using real-life data.
A fictitious company with its own employees and company processes forms the framework scenario. Practical situations are played out in dialogue form with the relevant persona, e.g. Technical Manager Manfred Stark and FAMOS Administrator Anna Lühse, e.g. How do I create a risk assessment for a new TGA? An audit is due – what do I need to prepare? How do I draw up operating instructions? What happens after an accident at work?
The highlight: the fictitious company with all the processes discussed is integrated into the presentation database of the FAMOS CAFM system, so that these scenarios can be tested during introductions or training courses in the product family. Process overviews, so-called FAMOSkompakt, summarise and visualise the best practice examples. After familiarisation/training, these form a short and clear reminder at a glance.
Both – workbook incl. FAMOSkompakt and demo database (still only in German) – are constantly being expanded, e.g. if further use cases become available or if there are legal changes to procedural requirements.
Details on the occupational healtyth and safety can be found on the website on the topic:
Efficient and sensible WORKPLACE MANAGEMENT is appreciated by many employers and is even necessary with a view to sustainable building management. The “New Work” has brought new challenges for employers. For example, mobile working is increasingly leading to fully or partially unused office space. One component that is directly affected by this is media consumption, with a particular focus on heating and air conditioning: whether these are switched on for one person or for a dozen – they are running.
The social component of “dispersed employees” is a factor that can have a negative impact on internal communication: Employees sit isolated from others and it is sometimes not clear who is in the office and when. By consolidating work zones, consumption such as isolation can be specifically avoided or optimised. Systematic optimisation measures increase user satisfaction, simplify administration and save resources.
With the Workplace Management web app, you can coordinate workplaces and their capacities in a clear and mobile way. Modern functionality and a contemporary, intuitive design guarantee high usability.
If you use Workplace Management independently, the master data is created directly in the application. If you use the web app with FAMOS, the data is easily synchronised.
In the next step, work zones and workstations are defined or assigned with detailed information (e.g. location, equipment, directions or tags). Coordinates are also determined in order to localise workstations and zones on the map view. The administrators also define rules, such as opening hours. End users can only reserve workstations and zones that have been authorised by their specialists.
Managers can quickly identify optimisation potential thanks to the graphical visualisation of reservations and active bookings in the dashboard. The occupancy plans make it very easy to see how the occupancy rate is and whether optimisation measures should be implemented. To save energy resources, for example, the specialist changes the booking rules for work zones. Users are automatically and immediately informed of changes and can react quickly by making a new reservation.
The booking history in the web app and various (anonymised) reports in FAMOS make it possible to control the number of users and fluctuations over time. Systematic evaluations can be used, for example, to adapt rules in order to steer the reservation behaviour of users in a direction that consolidates the use of space and thus optimises the consumption of resources.
Users reserve/book required workstations or zones (e.g. areas) early or spontaneously as required. Depending on the desired location and/or date, free capacities can be quickly viewed using the booking overview. The map view provides directions. Thanks to the system’s constantly updated booking data, employees are informed about available workspace capacity even at short notice. The booking is activated via the “Check Inn button” in the app or manually on site by scanning a QR code at the workstation. This means that spontaneous bookings can also be made directly at the workplace if you are already on site.
Details in the descriptions, tags as well as search and filter functions help you find the optimal/ideal workspace (location, volume, equipment, etc.) for any period of time. Reservations can be easily created, changed and cancelled; if the desired workspace is free, it can be booked earlier and extended. Preview and booking history clearly show all your own reservations and bookings. Saving user preferences,e.g. location and equipment, as well as repeating bookings simplify handling for the user enormously, and after a booking it is possible to rate the workplace.
Flexible, independent and mobile – discover the Event Management and ServiceTicket apps.
Advantages of data and process digitisation: Make strategic decisions based on your data!
Interested in our topics? Then register for the FAMOS newsletter without obligation (only in German):
The interaction between the Internet of Things (IoT) and Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of facility management. The IoT enables the networking of physical devices and sensors, while CAFM offers software solutions for the management and optimisation of buildings and facilities as well as operations. The combination of both technologies creates a powerful synergy.
The IoT provides real-time data from various areas such as energy consumption (media consumption), room occupancy, security systems and maintenance requirements. This data is transferred to the CAFM system, which analyses it and converts it into relevant information for facility management. This enables facility managers to react proactively to problems, for example by planning maintenance work before a device breaks down or optimising resources to reduce energy consumption.
The integration of IoT and CAFM also enables the automation of processes. For example, the IoT network can detect sensors when a room is not in use and automatically switch off the lights or turn down the heating to save energy. CAFM systems can use this information to identify vacant spaces and optimise costs or service contracts and orders.
Overall, the interaction between IoT and CAFM opens up new opportunities for facility management. By networking devices, automating processes and utilising real-time data, facility managers can use their resources more efficiently, reduce costs and improve the performance of their buildings and facilities. From a sustainability perspective, IoT is therefore an important key technology in management that should not be underestimated.
On 20.06.23, the two partners Keßler Solutions and IoT partner akenza presented themselves together in a web event on the interaction of IoT and CAFM. They showed various solution approaches, e.g. for easy retrofitting of sensors in practice: akenza presented easy-to-integrate used cases of the path of sensor data into the platform in the live part. The Recording is published on Youtube (only in German).
A lot has happened in the interdisciplinary research project “ForeSight: Platform for context-sensitive, intelligent and predictive smart living services” in 2022. The BIM method plays a central role for the project team in the areas of sustainability, resilience and digitalisation. In 2022, the team from Keßler Solutions built the digital twin into the existing structure.
The ForeSight project was launched in spring 2020 as part of the innovation competition “Artificial intelligence as a driver for economically relevant ecosystems” organised by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and grew out of the partner network around the smart city district Future Living® Berlin in 2019 [Find out more: News from 17.12.2019].
In order to be able to offer context-sensitive, intelligent and forward-looking smart living services in facility management, up-to-date and networked data and information systems are required. One such system is the CAFM solution FAMOS. As a control centre, FAMOS connects, for example, rental spaces with ERP software and thus enables numerous rental management processes. The integration of IoT and smart services into CAFM is one of the defining topics in modern building management.
In order to integrate the BIM method into building operations in a practical way, it is essential to network the 3D model with existing information, a CAFM system, sensor technology and IoT. This is the only way to create the digital twin, which creates a direct, virtual image and can fulfil many of the promises made by BIM. In 2022, the corresponding product and service area of FAMOS and Keßler Solutions will be strengthened: with the help of BIM models, the Keßler Solutions team can create a digital twin and synchronise it bidirectionally with FAMOS.
BIM practice in a smart urban neighbourhood
The blueprint for the research and development approach was the newly created Future Living® Berlin neighbourhood of GSW (a housing association based in Baden-Württemberg) with its 90 residential units and 10 commercial units and a total area of approx. 7,600 m2. After the tenants moved in in January 2020, Keßler Solutions began digitising the structural and technical facilities and recording all the installed IoT sensors, furniture and outdoor facilities.
3D view of the smart city neighbourhood Future Living® Berlin with transport links
3D model of the existing building
After collecting the inventory data, a new 3D model of the neighbourhood was created in Revit® based on old CAD plans and orders and all trades (such as electricity, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, IoT) were integrated as an example for building 10. The model serves the research partners in the ForeSight project as a blueprint for a digital twin and also provides GSW with the basis for subsequent maintenance.
New expertise with the BIM model
What is exciting in this context is that the team at Keßler Solutions was able to recreate the digital twin on the basis of CAD plans, order documents and as-built data. Based on this expertise, customers can also have a BIM model created from their as-built data and thus be effectively supported in the digitalisation of building information. Together with the service areas of CAD processing and on-site surveying, modelling approaches or using laser scanning or other methods are also conceivable in order to enrich models with even more information. The new expertise can also be applied to modernisation projects and conversions.
Benefits of the BIM method in existing properties
Another advantage for operators and investors is that such models can be used as the basis for a virtual inspection before construction begins and/or digital exposés to initialise sales at an early stage. Simulations, for example of the path of the sun, help with the orientation of the flat. Material catalogues support the design of the flat furnishings and help future owners/tenants to get a better impression of their future flat.
The ForeSight research project will come to a successful end for all partners in March 2023. Keßler Solutions is looking forward to shaping the next ideas with GSW and the partners from Future Living® Berlin.
Smart and sustainable: The Future Living® Berlin neighbourhood from the ground-breaking ceremony to the present day:
The future of energy-efficient, safe and comfortable living: the ForeSight research project:
Role of the digital twin for sustainability, resilience and digitalisation (News from 31.05.22):
Sustainability through data in BIM – evaluation of the trade fair presence at BIM world MUNICH 2022.
Article BIM in operation with FAMOS in “Bauen Aktuell” (3/2021) as a free e-paper.
Specialist article on energy efficiency and smart management through BIM in “Computer Spezial” (2/2019).
The roots of Keßler Solutions go back to 1990 , when the surveying and engineering office Keßler (VIK)* was founded in Leipzig on the day of reunification. Five years later, in 1995 , an independent department was spun off with the task of driving forward the research and development of facility management software. This department also deals with new technologies for FM-compliant information and data acquisition.
In April 1997 , the final foundation stone was laid for the now 25-year success story of Keßler Solutions. The following year saw the market launch of the CAFM software FAMOS. FAMOS stands for Facility Management Operating System and is today one of the most established CAFM systems for commercial, technical and infrastructural management processes of all kinds in German-speaking countries. In July 1999, Gebmess®-Data GmbH was founded as a further part of the Keßler Group. This merged with Keßler Solutions in the summer of 2001 .
The company is a committed member of GEFMA (German Association for Facility Management) – FAMOS was one of the very first CAFM systems to be certified in accordance with GEFMA Guideline 444 in 2010. Managing Director André Keßler is the contact person for the Central Germany regional group of the professional association for facility and real estate managers RealFM eV Together with Matthias Thieme, he founded BCS GmbH in 2015, whose services further expanded the portfolio of the Keßler Group. In 2018, the company initiated the BIM Competence and Technology Center with partners. Since 2021, Keßler Solutions has also been active in the German PropTech Initiative (GPTI).
Over the years, Keßler Solutions has established itself from a 90s start-up to a full-service partner for holistic solutions in data and process digitization . Key topics include automation and optimization in maintenance management, sustainable management throughout the entire building life cycle and the efficient exercise of operator responsibility. The integration of digital technologies plays a key role here. The portfolio includes numerous consulting and other services for the holistic handling of projects.
The many years of experience of the employees, from customer-specific FM processes to comprehensive large-scale projects, have convinced over 100 customers from industry, the service sector and trade, the public sector, technology and development. Numerous practical and research partnerships with universities and industry are an important building block for Keßler Solutions to offer modern, future-proof and innovative solutions on the market and to develop new ones.
In view of the path it has taken so far and against the backdrop of ever-increasing demands for ecological, economic and social sustainability, Keßler Solutions is positioning itself as a reliable partner in facility and corporate real estate management.
The team, including family members, celebrates the company’s milestone birthday in mid-October. This was already celebrated with customers and partners at the user meeting in spring. The 25th anniversary of the FAMOS CAFM software will then be celebrated together at the FAMOS User Forum in May 2023.
* In 2018, the VIK reorganized itself as Keßler Ingenieur-Consult Vermessungs- und Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH. (more…)
Easily overcome the challenges of initial digital recording of building data in existing buildings with WA-T-01 Asset Recording. Initial recording is often very time-consuming if no data is available or can be supplied. With the app, you can efficiently collect and systematise object structures of all types, of assets e.g. plant, machinery, works of art, equipment, vehicle fleet, etc., saving time and money. You can also use mobile data recording to update existing, possibly outdated, inventory data.
Building and property data contain numerous optimisation potentials for various management processes. Use the application to effectively utilise your building data, e.g. for CAFM systems or corresponding applications. Create the basis for sustainable energy and environmental management, safe maintenance management or modern workplace management. Form the basis for optimised and transparent planning of construction processes and budgets for structured modernisation/renovation projects. Obtain data for the valuation of your property for new lettings and sales. Easily fulfil your verification and documentation obligations.
Arbitrary data structures, the multitude of asset types in catalogs, inconsistent structuring of extensive forms, lack of support for mass data capture or different target systems are just some of the challenges that increase the effort and costs of data capture projects. With the new Assettool, Keßler Solutions makes it possible to define a systematic schema for describing your data structures. Flexible, efficient and user-friendly, mobile data capture simplifies the work of your team.
No capacity? Lack of experience? Why not outsource the collection/maintenance of your data to BCS?
