The June 2024 PwC Pulse Survey revealed that operations leaders know they must rapidly adopt new technologies to stay competitive. Up to 54% of participants in the survey have prioritised the use of artificial intelligence and generative AI.
Digital twin technology is evolving rapidly, gaining traction across various sectors beyond its traditional roots in the aerospace and automotive industries. As organisations seek to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and foster collaboration, digital twins are pivotal in managing infrastructure. In a recent discussion, Oliver Conze, senior vice president at Bentley Systems, articulated the transformative potential of this technology, highlighting its ability to unify data across the infrastructure lifecycle.
Digital twins in infrastructure management
Conze defines a digital twin as a dynamic representation of a physical asset that integrates multiple data layers, including engineering, geospatial, IoT, and enterprise information. This comprehensive approach enables organisations to maintain continuous collaboration throughout an asset's lifecycle, from design and construction to operations and maintenance. "The digital twin is the great unifier that enables collaboration," Conze asserts, emphasising the importance of a centralised information repository.
The implications for chief operating officers (COOs) in Asia's engineering-heavy sectors are significant. Organisations can streamline operations, enhance communication, and improve decision-making processes by leveraging digital twins. This shift towards a data-centric approach fosters collaboration among stakeholders, facilitates predictive maintenance, and optimises resource allocation.
Enhancing performance and reducing costs
One key benefit of digital twins is their capacity to enhance performance monitoring and maintenance. Conze notes that preserving information collected during the design and construction allows for more efficient operations. "You can do things like predictive maintenance," he explains, highlighting how digital twins enable organisations to run operations more efficiently by anticipating issues before they arise.
Moreover, digital twins allow companies to build upon existing assets rather than starting from scratch. This is especially relevant for organisations upgrading brownfield sites, where integrating historical data can lead to significant cost savings and time efficiencies.
Conze cites examples from the Ontario Line Project in Toronto, where enhanced collaboration led to 40-50% time savings for information exchange. Such efficiencies can be transformative for COOs seeking to optimise project delivery in a competitive landscape.
The impact of cloud solutions on collaboration
The integration of cloud-based solutions further amplifies the advantages of digital twins. Conze emphasises the "ease of consumption" cloud technology provides, making it more straightforward for organisations to onboard new projects and stakeholders.
In an increasingly complex supply chain environment, the cloud facilitates seamless information sharing, critical for effective collaboration across various project phases.
"The cloud makes the sharing of data a lot easier," Conze states, underscoring its role in fostering a collaborative ecosystem. For COOs, this means improved communication between teams and the ability to adapt swiftly to changing project requirements. The agility offered by cloud solutions is crucial in today's fast-paced engineering environment, where delays can result in significant cost overruns.
Bridging the skills gap
Addressing the skills gap within the workforce becomes imperative as digital twin technology matures. Conze highlights the potential of automation and AI to alleviate some of the burdens on engineers, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks.
"Drawing production can easily take 30 to 50 per cent of a project time," he points out, suggesting that automation can free up valuable resources to be directed toward high-impact activities.
For COOs, investing in training and development to bridge the skills gap will be essential. By equipping teams with the necessary tools and knowledge to leverage digital twins effectively, organisations can enhance productivity and drive innovation in their projects.
Evaluating providers for digital twin solutions
Conze advises organisations to consider several criteria when selecting technology partners for digital twin implementation. The ability to rapidly onboard new projects and stakeholders is critical, as is the need for interoperability among various tools.
"Openness and an open platform play a critical role," he explains, emphasising the importance of avoiding vendor lock-in and ensuring compatibility with a broad range of technologies.
For COOs, this means carefully evaluating potential partners based on their commitment to openness and flexibility. The ability to integrate various systems and tools will be vital for maximising the long-term benefits of digital twin technology.
Future outlook: the evolution of digital twins
Conze envisions a future where digital twin adoption becomes the norm across industries. "Digital delivery becomes the norm," he asserts, suggesting that organisations must embrace this technology to maintain a competitive edge. As digital twins evolve, they will increasingly enable innovative approaches to data utilisation, particularly in conjunction with AI-driven workflows.
For COOs in engineering-heavy sectors, the strategic implementation of digital twins offers a pathway to enhanced efficiency, improved collaboration, and superior project outcomes. As the technology continues to mature, those who adapt and integrate digital twins into their operational frameworks will undoubtedly be in charge of the next wave of infrastructure management.
The rise of digital twins presents an opportunity for organisations to transform their operations. By embracing this technology, COOs can improve performance, reduce costs, and position their organisations for success in an increasingly digital future.
Conze sums it up: "The digital twin is the great unifier that enables collaboration," making it an essential component of modern infrastructure management strategies.
