Tecsys, a supply chain management software vendor, announced a product called Digital Twin 3D Heat Map. The software enables a "no-code, out-of-the-box 3D representation of the warehouse," according to a company press release.

Digital twins have grown in popularity in CRE. In theory, smart buildings are outfitted with IoT sensors capture and send many types of data—temperature, humidity, occupancy, lighting and heating use, parking usage, and more—to sophisticated software that models the properties. The computer systems are supposed to allow managers to run simulations and scenario planning, changing parameters and watching the impact on the buildings, occupants, and even surrounding areas to better understand how to manage goals.

The city of Orlando expanded the concept to create a digital twin of the city. A public and private project—the Orlando Economic Partnership—wanted to provide a virtual copy to "allow companies, local governments and nonprofits to visualize how their own plans will impact the region." And, clearly, also let real estate investors, developers, REITs, and the like investigate the area more efficiently with less need for travel.