In Baaz Magazine: All about AI, you can read how digital twins are increasingly making the difference between reactive work and proactive entrepreneurship.
Tobias Thelemann (product manager at reichelt elektronik) tells us what a digital twin really is. Not a simple 3D model or visualization, but a smart digital counterpart of your physical operation, based on current data. You will learn what is needed to get started (hint: less than you think), and why especially SMEs can now take advantage.
With a twin, you plan maintenance smarter and thus prevent downtime. Especially with AI, you can quickly create a powerful digital twin. We will take you along from the very beginning and show you how to start small with one process, machine, or location, and what is needed in terms of data, infrastructure, and mindset. We understand that the technology sounds big, but it is now actually accessible for SMEs.
Digital twins in the now
Thelemann shows that digital twins are no longer futuristic, but concrete tools that allow you to gain control over processes, costs, and risks in a short time. The benefits? Faster insights, less waste, and better decision-making – without interfering in daily operations. Thanks to AI, you also learn from historical patterns and can use the twin to optimize specifically. From planning and maintenance to energy consumption and logistics.
A good example is NS, which built a digital twin for Utrecht Central Station that predicts disruptions and better manages visitor flows. But – as Thelemann emphasizes – such applications are no longer exclusive to multinationals. Thanks to cloud platforms, affordable sensors, and ready-made AI models, the entry barrier has significantly decreased.
Digital twins are therefore not gadgets, but a new way of thinking. A way to make your business scalable, flexible, and future-proof, without having to reinvent everything. And without huge upfront investments. The most important thing is: don’t start too big. Begin with a concrete question, discover the value, and then scale up.
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