How the modular software of PMWeb improved transparency of property management at Carl Zeiss

ZEISS was using a variety of tools for project delivery and asset management. This made collaboration difficult, created inconsistent data, and introduced inefficiencies across teams. This made portfolio visibility limited and key decisions were often delayed.

Zeiss needed a single, integrated Project Portfolio Management solution to bring structure and consistency to its Corporate Real Estate Management (CREM) processes. The platform had to cover document and collaboration management, data governance, portfolio and cost management, maintenance and investment planning, demand management, and end-to-end project management.

The aim was clear: create one harmonised way of working and a consistent “brand experience” across all real estate initiatives. Zeiss also wanted faster, data-driven decisions through defined approval gates within its matrix organisation, while improving the cost and performance of its real estate operations.

After evaluating the options, Zeiss chose PMWeb as the best fit. It offered an all-in-one platform to support the full Plan–Build–Operate cycle, with built-in document management, workflow automation, reporting, and the flexibility to adapt to Zeiss’s way of working. It was also seen as user-friendly in day-to-day use, role-based configuration, and system administration.

Zeiss partnered with Primaned, PMWeb’s European implementation partner, for their project controls expertise and experience delivering PMWeb in complex organisations. The implementation started in August 2019 and went live in January 2020.

A structured test and pilot phase helped align PMWeb with real project needs. Using a formal test plan from Primaned, key stakeholders explored the system, tested proposed workflows, and provided structured feedback. This allowed the configuration to reflect actual business processes and supported adoption across the organisation.

PMWeb replaced multiple legacy tools with one integrated environment combining project, portfolio, and asset management. Real-time reports and dashboards were developed to show current status, data gaps, and project performance. Operational processes were embedded into workflows, supported by clear stage gates for governance and approvals. Custom templates for Zeiss’s global real estate projects ensured consistent execution and reporting worldwide, regardless of location.