How Heba and Hemsö handled a digital twin transfer at acquisition

Since 2021, Heba Fastighets AB has used digital twins as a tool in the operations and facility management of its portfolio. In spring 2024, the company acquired two properties from Hemsö. At the point of handover, Heba also took over the digital twins of the properties, which had been built up by the previous owner.

It is very straightforward to have a 3D model that the whole company can access from the day of handover. We could start working in the twins immediately.
— Fredrik Melander, property manager and proptech coordinator at Heba

A digital twin actively used by operations and facility management contains business-critical information about the properties. At the point of an acquisition, the seller can choose to transfer the twin and a selection of the data to the buyer.

It is an exciting development, where the model and the data already collected can create value in the management of a property for a new owner.
— Nils Berglund, CEO at Vyer

The buyer: 'A major plus that the properties already had digital twins'

We see it as a major plus that the properties already had digital twins. We started a dialogue early with the seller and the proptech provider about how we would take over the models, which data we could use and how we would quality-assure it — to have as much in place as possible at handover.
— Fredrik Melander

The seller: 'Can save time and lead to a more efficient transaction process'

Today we use the twins to get to know properties in detail — but showing a model to a potential buyer early in the process can increase transparency in the deal. Everyone is then on the same page, which is great.
— Alexandra Hansson, transaction analyst at Hemsö

Due diligence involves a lot of review of spaces and lease agreements. If you have a model with verified areas from the outset, you can quickly get a very good understanding of the property — which can save time and lead to a more efficient transaction process.
— Alexandra Hansson

Transfer of digital twin and quality assurance of data

We could start working in the twins immediately — quality-assuring all component data and adding information about planned maintenance. That kind of information is especially important in a new property. It was reassuring to get it up and running quickly.
— Fredrik Melander

The most important thing is to quality-assure the data you take over, so that you can trust the system.
— Fredrik Melander

Checklist for property owners ahead of a transfer process

Negotiating data sharing — ensure there is an agreement between seller and buyer on including digital twins in the contract. Planning the data transfer — plan how the transfer will be carried out, in what format and through which channels, and ensure GDPR compliance. Executing the transfer — proptech companies or technical experts carry out the transfer, ensuring twins and data are transferred correctly and securely. Quality assurance — the buyer should quality-assure all data, verify it reflects reality and ensure internal standards are followed. Ongoing use — after quality assurance, begin using the twin as a tool in property management, complementing existing information and integrating with other systems.