TECHNOLOGY - DIGITAL TWINS
STEVE TREAGUST , VICE PRESIDENT OF INDUSTRIES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT , IFS
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“ If an organisation is a collection of people managing operations for a collective goal , then the digital twin of an organisation ( DTO ) is the automation of the inputs , calculations and outputs of the same processes , but without physical assistance or constraints .
“ Within an Enterprise Resource Planning ( ERP ) context , the digital twin covers the processes which are prevalent within the ERP system and can utilise the existing ‘ actual ’ values and ‘ actual ’ calculations where appropriate . The benefits of this are that setup and maintenance of the DTO is quicker and more accurate , and the data security is the same as that used within the ERP .
“ With a DTO in place across an organisation , operational simulations can be run to determine
outcomes throughout the processes . The benefits of using DTOs to run operational simulations is that not only are the decisions evident at each calculation point , but requirements in terms of capacities are also determined and the supply chain can be prepared to deliver the required capacities . The other benefits are that decisionmaking becomes more familiar with decisions being made backed by the scenario planning .
“ Of course , DTOs do come with challenges . Simulations are based on static processes , with system-based data and calculations , which if inaccurate only seek to extrapolate into inaccurate results . Also , there are only so many simulations that can be planned , which is why a range of outputs and inputs is the best outcome .”
OCTOBER 2020