Technology is progressing at a much faster pace than ever before. Companies have already implemented new, innovative pieces of equipment that have benefited them to manage their resources and save time. All businesses today are undergoing a major transformation, especially with the rise of connected devices and systems. The combination of digital and physical systems as well as IoT, is playing a vital role and developing data to carry down the marginal expense of delivering goods and services in a more reliable way than ever before. This has considerably transformed manufacturing processes. The concept of digital twins is also quite popular in the retail sector as well as the manufacturing sector, because of the vast benefits it provides.

 Moreover, we are increasingly witnessing the completion of cyber-physical ecosystems as more and more industries and operations go online. This is where digital twins come into the picture.

According to Grand View Research, In 2020, the global digital twin market size was valued at USD 5.04 billion. It is anticipated to grow at a synthesized annual growth rate (CAGR) of 42.7% from the years 2021 to 2028.

What is a Digital Twin?

‘Digital twins’ specifically refers to constructing digital models or representations of physical things, usually machines and parts which can be controlled and modified over a span of time. Digital twin technology facilitates retailers to model their supply chains as interconnected environments. Real-time sensor and equipment data provides the model to produce a live implementation environment.

The digital interpretations of physical things simultaneously formulate and record data as they evolve in their life cycles. They also enable businesses to aggregate, examine, achieve insights and ultimately create the final version by experimenting and producing the digital ones first. Especially for automobile, aviation, and other manufacturing sectors today, this has become a benchmark. Digital twins also play a substantial part in enhancing customer experience, by optimizing security performance and energy control.

Now, let’s move on ahead and learn how well digital twins benefit the retail industry.

How is Digital Twin Helpful in the Retail Industry?

Digital twins have significantly helped companies and businesses to move forward progressively. Digital twins can be useful in the retail industry as well as in the manufacturing industry. However, there is a notable difference between the two sectors. Retailers utilize digital twin to forge a supply chain’s implementation and determine where optimization is attainable. Real-time visibility delivered by digital twins allows retailers to execute new non-linear supply chain fulfillment models, for example, micro-fulfillment, or curbside pickup. Furthermore, the digital twin forms an umbrella across siloed data allowing crucial data to be open throughout the supply chain. 

When we take a look at the advantages the digital twin has to offer the retail industry, there are quite a few.

• Predictive Maintainance- 

Businesses can examine the data from the digital twin to proactively recognize any errors or issues that will take place in manufacturing the product. With the help of IoT sensors and scanners implemented into the physical system, developers can gain insights into the virtual environment.  This allows businesses to accurately schedule predictive maintenance, therefore lowering maintenance costs and enhancing production line efficiency.

• Real-time Remote Monitoring-

It is almost impossible to get an in-depth, real-time view of a comprehensive physical system. This can be made possible with the help of a digital twin. Digital twins can be acquired anywhere, encouraging users to handle and observe the system. 

• Better Team-Collaboration-

Facilitating a much-enhanced team collaboration is another benefit the digital twins have to offer. A 24×7 access to the system information and process automation allows technicians to focus on inter-team collaboration. This considerably improves operational efficiency and productivity.

• Adequate Financial Decision Making-

A virtual presentation of a physical object has the capability to combine financial data. The availability of a considerable portion of real-time data and cutting-edge analytics allows enterprises to construct more suitable and quicker decisions about whether or not adjustments to a manufacturing value chain are financially good.

• Accelerated Risk Assessment and Production Time-

Companies and enterprises can test and validate a product before it even exists in the market. This is made possible by digital twins. By constructing a model of the designed production technique, a digital twin allows engineers to determine any process defects before the product proceeds into production. Engineers can take over the system to manage unplanned strategies, review the system’s response, and recognize affiliated relief techniques. This latest ability enhances risk assessment, amps up the growth of new products, and enriches the production line’s dependability.

Also, Read– Can IoT Make A Difference In Smart Manufacturing And Industrial Sector?

Conclusion

Today, enterprises and businesses are attempting to get their hands on the latest technology, to stay one step ahead of their competitors, and also to keep up with the new advancements the tech world has to offer. Hence, they are stepping up their game at providing the best services to their clients such as IoT services, AI services, and mobile app development services. Digital twins open up new possibilities to companies, such as enhancing production lines and also allowing faster time-to-market. 

Author Bio

Feril Hazem is an enthusiastic content writer working at ThinkPalm. He is a techie and self-motivated unique storyteller with a keen interest in writing about the latest technology updates and industry insights. Off the screen, he is a movie buff, likes playing basketball and listening to music.