A digital twin of an organisation is a dynamic, virtual replica of the entire enterprise, encompassing its processes, systems, data, and people. An organisational digital twin provides a complete view of the business, enabling leaders to simulate the impact of decisions before they are implemented in the real world. This powerful tool uses real-time data from various sources to mirror the organisation’s operations, allowing for improved strategic planning, risk management, and operational efficiency.
Here are five examples of organisations using digital twins to enhance their operations:
Unilever
The consumer goods giant Unilever employs digital twins in its factories to create virtual models of its production lines. This allows the company to simulate and test changes to manufacturing processes without disrupting actual production. Unilever can optimise efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product quality. For example, they can virtually test new packaging materials or adjust machine settings to see the impact on output and energy consumption before making physical changes.
Roche
In the pharmaceutical industry, Roche is exploring the use of digital twins to revolutionise clinical trials. By creating virtual replicas of patients and disease progressions, Roche aims to simulate how different individuals might respond to new treatments. This approach has the potential to accelerate the drug development process, reduce the reliance on traditional, large-scale clinical trials, and lead to more personalised medicine.
Bosch
The technology and engineering company Bosch utilises digital twins in its manufacturing and industrial operations. By creating virtual representations of their machinery and production facilities, Bosch can predict maintenance needs, prevent equipment failures, and optimise performance. This predictive maintenance approach minimises downtime and extends the lifespan of their assets, leading to significant cost savings.
Virtual Singapore
On a larger scale, the nation of Singapore has developed a digital twin of its entire city-state. This comprehensive 3D model, known as “Virtual Singapore,” integrates vast amounts of data from various sources, including real-time traffic information, weather patterns, and building schematics. The government uses this digital twin for urban planning, simulating the impact of new infrastructure projects, managing emergency responses, and analysing energy efficiency across the city.
Airservices Australia
Responsible for managing Australia’s airspace, Airservices Australia is developing a digital twin of the country’s air traffic management network. This virtual representation will allow them to simulate air traffic scenarios, test new procedures, and predict potential congestion or disruptions. The goal is to enhance the safety and efficiency of air travel by proactively identifying and mitigating risks within the complex airspace system.
Building a digital twin can bring some significant benefits to an organisation:
Enhanced Decision-Making and Strategic Planning
One of the most significant advantages of an organisational digital twin is the ability to conduct virtual “what-if” scenarios. This allows leaders to test the potential impact of big decisions before committing resources in the real world. By simulating changes to business processes, supply chains, or market strategies, organisations can anticipate outcomes, identify potential bottlenecks, and optimise for the best possible results. This approach to planning minimises risks and increases the likelihood of successful initiatives.
Improved Operational Efficiency and Cost Reduction
A digital twin provides both a high-level and a detailed view of an organisation’s operations in real-time. This comprehensive oversight allows for the identification of inefficiencies that might otherwise go unnoticed. By analysing the virtual model, businesses can pinpoint areas for process optimisation, streamline workflows, and improve resource allocation. By simulating energy consumption and manning levels, organisations can identify opportunities for significant cost savings.
Accelerated Innovation and Product Development
In the realm of product development, digital twins revolutionise the innovation cycle. They enable the virtual prototyping and testing of new products and services in a simulated environment. This dramatically reduces the time and cost associated with physical prototypes and allows for rapid iteration and refinement. By understanding how products will perform under various conditions before they are built, companies can bring higher-quality and more resilient products to market faster.
Proactive Risk Management and Increased Resilience
Organisational digital twins are powerful tools for enhancing business resilience. By simulating various risk scenarios, such as supply chain disruptions, economic downturns, or even cyberattacks, organisations can develop and test robust contingency plans. This proactive approach to risk management allows managers to identify vulnerabilities and implement mitigation strategies before a crisis occurs.
Enhanced Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
A digital twin serves as a single source of truth for an organisation, breaking down data silos and fostering greater collaboration between departments. When teams from across the business can access and interact with the same virtual model, it promotes a shared understanding of complex processes and facilitates more effective cross-functional teamwork. This collaborative environment can lead to more innovative solutions and a more agile response to changing market dynamics.
Improved Customer Experience and Personalisation
By creating digital twins of customer journeys and interactions, organisations can gain deeper insights into consumer behaviour and preferences. This allows for the optimisation of customer service processes, the personalisation of products and services, and the creation of more engaging and effective marketing campaigns. By simulating the customer experience, businesses can identify pain points and areas for improvement, ultimately leading to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.