Technology
Ontology
A structured framework that defines relationships and meanings between data elements.
Definition
In the context of building management, an ontology is a formal representation of knowledge that defines concepts, relationships, and hierarchies within building systems and data. It provides a semantic framework for mapping data from different sources to common meanings, enabling intelligent data integration and reasoning. Ontologies are essential for creating unified data layers that connect BIM, IoT, CMMS, and other building data sources.