Digital transformation is changing the engineering services business. Automated bots will be able to collect information from databases and perform the assigned tasks. In novel cases of high complexity, experts will provide instructions to the AI based bots regarding how to proceed. And whenever a similar case subsequently arises, the bots will be able to proceed based upon those previous instructions without further intervention required. The automation of tasks will provide many benefits such as cost saving, timely delivery and more control over the operation. This disruption will also bring about new partners and competitors in the engineering services field.
A digital twin is a digital representation of an actual plant over its entire life cycle.
In order to support the digital transformation, Citec has developed a digital twin (Citec 3DEncore) platform to its customers. A digital twin is a digital representation of an actual plant over its entire life cycle. Citec is adopting a service lens while offering the digital twin solution. Value is exchanged when customer jobs-to-be-done are completed by using a digital twin as a service. It is a platform where customers can view the 3D models of plants online. Personnel on site can open relevant files by clicking on the plant parts. This will help in saving time and executing tasks efficiently.
The digital twin solution further opens new markets by improving customer experience. Integration of plant resources and storage of data in the central database can also be used by a machine learning algorithm to improve plant design and operation. As such, companies can use the collected insights in better understanding of customer jobs and providing services accordingly.
“At the moment, Citec mainly operates during the design phase of a plant, whereas, with help of a digital twin we can model different scenarios. Through it, we can show a customer how we can improve their plant operations and where new investments can be made. Therefore, we can better understand our customer and extend our business offerings from a few months to the complete plant life cycle”, says Janne Kokkinen, Head of EIA Region Europe at Citec.
The platform-based business model of the digital twin will help in developing an ecosystem where new partners, competitors, and customers can participate in value co-creation. “The digital twin platform will allow engineers on site to run diagnostics on the plant, order spare parts online, contact the support centre, and order services. Manufacturers with 3D printing technology can use the platform and print out spare parts with precise dimensions. Technically, it is possible to 3D print the whole plant by taking inputs from the digital twin”, says Kokkinen.
A digital twin with predictive and prescriptive analytics ability demands open-access, real-time and the predictive nature of data. This high data quality requirement is crucial for complete implementation of the digital twin solution.
“Data quality is the bottleneck in the way of complete implementation of the digital twin. This issue mainly arises because of data security. Open access to data will also make the plant vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The problem is more serious in the case of nuclear and power-grid operating companies. We are mainly looking for solutions in this area”, says Kokkinen.
How should a company’s executives who have recently decided to start using a digital twin proceed then? Kokkinen responds: “Companies who are going to start the digital twin project should focus on three things: Understanding of metadata which means how they can use it, ensuring connectivity of platform-based digital twin, and asking the right questions about what their goal is.”
Want to know more? Please contact:
Janne Kokkinen
Head, Electrical, Instrumentation & Automation, Europe
janne.kokkinen@citec.com
Phone: +358445716361
Jaakko Rintala
Chief Information Officer
jaakko.rintala@citec.com
Phone: +358 40 5962 766
