Embracing the power of digital twin technologies in the process industry

Digital twin technology is a potential game-changer in process industry sectors like oil & gas, power, and chemicals. In short, it offers unparalleled insights into design, construction, operations, maintenance, and performance optimization that can provide a competitive edge. This blog delves into the growing, yet slow trend of digital twin adoption in these sectors, the associated benefits, as well as the challenges hindering their faster and more widespread adoption.

The use of digital twins in the process industry is growing

Digital twins have gained significant traction in industries where processes are complex, and safety is paramount. These industries have seen a steady increase in digital twin adoption, driven by the need to enhance project and operational efficiency, reduce operational costs, and mitigate risks.

Digital twins offer a multi-faceted value proposition, fundamentally transforming how process-intensive assets are designed, built and operated. The benefits include, but are not limited to:

Real-time data analysis: 

• Visualize data to instantly understand complex relationships
• Enable timely and accurate decision-making

Project efficiency:

• Improve performance with real-time information access for all stakeholders
• Minimize rework by enabling a constant reveiw process

Operations:

• Enhance efficiency and reduce silos by combining real-time data from multiple sources/systems into one (ERP, Maintenance, Automation, HSEQ, etc.)
• Boost efficiency and promote collaboration across organizational boundries by linking and making all technical documents accessible

In comparison to traditional methods, digital twins offer a more integrated and holistic view of the asset lifecycle, leading to better resource management and operational efficiency.

Challenges in adopting digital twin technology

Despite their clear benefits, the uptake of digital twin technologies in industries like oil & gas, power, and chemicals has been cautious. The primary challenges include the perceived complexity of integrating digital twins with existing systems, the perceived high costs associated with their implementation, and a lack of skilled personnel to manage and interpret the data they generate. 

Additionally, concerns about data security and scalability have also contributed to the slower adoption rate. These perceptions have been formed largely by solutions that are indeed complex and cumbersome, but it does not have to be like that.

CADMATIC eShare: A solution to overcome adoption barriers

Addressing these challenges, CADMATIC eShare emerges as a viable solution. Unlike many other digital twin platforms that are costly and complex, eShare offers a user-friendly, cost-effective, and flexible option. It simplifies the integration of diverse data sources, making the transition to digital twins smoother. We back this up with a promise to have your digital twin up and running in a few days. See our step-by-step guide for more details.

The core benefit of eShare is its ability to effortlessly integrate and visualize information from various business systems in a unified web portal. Role-based access control ensures data security, while its compatibility with various data formats and systems eases the integration process.

The future of digital twins in the process industry

Looking ahead, the role of digital twins in process-intensive industries is set to become even more pivotal. Innovations in AI and machine learning are expected to enhance the capabilities of digital twins, making them even more integral to operational success.

At Cadmatic, we believe that you should be able to enjoy the benefits of digital twins without massive investments or complex implementations. In fact, we think you should be able to get up and running in just a few days with an easy-to-manage SaaS subscription.

Contact us so we can show you how quickly we can get a digital twin up and running for you.