Technology Basics: Digital Twin

Simulations are a common thing in many science fiction movies. Perhaps it’s an image on a screen that dictates what could happen as the result of a particular action. Maybe it’s a simulation of a certain event. Either way, the fact remains that something like this--previously relegated only to the realm of sci-fi--has now been brought to the technology industry in the form of a digital twin.

 What is a Digital Twin?
Simply put, a digital twin is a computerized recreation for something that could be observed in the physical world. This can be either a single object or an entire system, depending on the needs of the visualizer. Companies can look at these simulations as an opportunity to learn more about what could happen to them in the future. This is particularly useful for certain industries where foresight is incredibly valuable, including healthcare and aerospace manufacturing.

Digital twins are most helpful when they allow users to predict what could happen in the real world, also known as the “physical twin.”

Pop culture shows a great example of how a digital twin can work. Recall watching A New Hope, in which the rebels of the Star Wars galaxy are analyzing the holographic plans for the Death Star. They seek a vulnerability that they can use to bring down the massive weapon. These plans can qualify as a digital twin, as they give the rebels an idea of what they can expect from the Death Star, as well as a way to judge whether or not their actions can put a dent in the Empire’s plans before actually executing it.

Real-Life Uses for Digital Twins
The rebels managed to avoid disaster thanks to their digital twin, but companies today are using them to make major leaps forward. Predictive technology and data analysis are two of the best ways that businesses can leverage digital twins. If there is a physical twin in place, analysis of the Internet of Things on your network can be used to make decisions based off of this data, all while predicting the possible outcomes.

Due to these potential outcomes, digital twins can be used to aid organizations in making decisions regarding critical processes. Think about it like this; large machines and vehicles could be created with little-to-no time invested into figuring out whether a particular construct would work or not. Repairs and upgrades could be made so much easier if the problem can be visualized, eliminating any potential risk of purchasing the wrong parts or addressing the wrong problem. The opportunities to save are endless.

The Next Best Thing
This technology is impressive to say the least, but your business might not see it as an immediately acquirable solution. You can instead make do with a proactive monitoring and maintenance solution from Horne & Benik. With this type of service, we can predict potential issues with your IT infrastructure before they come to fruition, all while addressing them to make the outcome less likely. To learn more, reach out to us at (603) 499-4400.