If we want to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, business as usual cannot continue. The linear “take–make–waste” model has pushed our planet’s resources to their limits. Companies must rethink their product cycles from cradle to grave. But wholesale business transformation is a difficult, disruptive process, and can be costly too.
The emergence and development of virtual tools could make comprehensive transformation much simpler, faster and cheaper. From transport to life sciences and manufacturing to retail, virtual “twin” technology is enabling businesses to reconfigure their operations from the ground up with an immense degree of predictability. Firms can create full-scale, virtual models of their operations, networks and supply chains, giving them insight into how the smallest changes to strategy or the influence of external forces will affect every facet of the business—in real time.
The implications for sustainability at a company level—and beyond—are tremendous. If used correctly, these technologies could unlock extraordinary value, simultaneously benefiting the bottom line and reducing the odds of a climate catastrophe. But the technology can only be as effective as those who wield it. The innovation is there: all that is needed is the willingness of leaders to take it up.
Two heads are better than one: accelerating sustainability through virtual “twin” technology will bring together leaders and experts in technology and sustainability. Speakers will consider how emerging “twin” technology can help businesses transform their operations and become more sustainable.
A virtual “twin” is a real-time virtual representation of a product, platform or ecosystem that can be used to model, visualize, predict and provide feedback on properties and performance. Virtual “twin” technology can be used to model complex systems from cars and wind turbines to human hearts.
Virtual “twin” technology provides information throughout the product lifecycle, with data gathered from real-world interactions. This allows businesses to improve product quality, increase the efficiency of processes and optimise performance.
This information was sourced from ‘Designing disruption: The critical role of virtual twins in accelerating sustainability‘ by Dassault Systèmes and Accenture. Please view the report here for further information.