Everyone’s Talking About Open CDEs, But Who’s Actually Showing You How?
In digital project delivery, terms like Open CDE, Connected Data Environment, and Common Data Environment are frequently discussed but rarely demonstrated in practice. Despite an increasing emphasis on interoperability, open standards, and seamless collaboration, many project teams are still left dealing with disconnected systems, manual file transfers, and redundant work just to meet contract requirements.
But what do these terms actually mean?
A Common Data Environment (CDE) traditionally refers to a single source of truth, a shared platform where documents, models, and information are exchanged.
A Connected CDE expands this to include multiple systems working together, sharing structured data through APIs and standards.
An Open CDE goes a step further, built on openBIM principles, it enables secure, standards-compliant information exchange across vendors, projects, and systems without locking users into one platform.
For project teams, this isn’t just semantics, it directly impacts how information is managed, handed over, and reused.
For your project, it means faster approvals, fewer errors, and structured assurance.
For your organisation, it means you’re not locked into proprietary tools and can scale digital delivery more efficiently.
For your clients and asset owners, it means they receive consistent, reusable data that feeds directly into asset systems, GIS, or digital twins.
That’s why we built CDE Sync.
CDE Sync: Connecting CDEs, Not Replacing Them
CDE Sync isn’t another repository or platform - it’s a no-code, secure and cloud-native, standards-aligned integration service that bridges existing Common Data Environment (CDE) platforms like Autodesk Construction Cloud and Bentley ProjectWise and other popular CDEs in the AEC industry.
It turns fragmented environments into a true Open CDE, enabling structured, secure synchronisation of data and metadata between platforms.
✅ Real-time syncs between leading CDE platforms
✅ ISO 19650 and OpenBIM-compliant
✅ Secure, code-free configuration via the Utopia Digital Portal
✅ Enables downstream asset and information management benefits
✅ No persistence or caching of data ensuring maximum security and compliance
Unlike other solutions that require custom code, middleware, or service teams to implement, CDE Sync empowers users to configure syncs themselves through a guided wizard interface securely hosted on Microsoft Azure.
Built for Projects That Need More Than Just Storage
CDE Sync is used across infrastructure, energy, and transport projects where auditability, traceability, and accuracy are non-negotiable. It supports:
Consistent metadata structures
Live model federation across platforms
Automated logs for compliance and assurance
Configuration repeatability and lifecycle tracking
It’s not about changing the tools you use, it’s about making them work together.
Leading the Industry in Knowledge and Capability
At Utopia Digital, we don’t just develop integration tools, we actively contribute to the advancement of industry capability. Through our work with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and their Digital Engineering Microcredentials, we’re helping to democratise knowledge and bridge the gap between theory and hands-on technology.
We believe an Open CDE isn’t a vision, it’s a requirement. And CDE Sync is the practical pathway to achieve it.
📍 Want to see it in action?
👉 https://www.utopiadigital.io/cdesyncinfo
📍 Want to discuss your needs
👉 https://www.utopiadigital.io/contact
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