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What is an Operational Digital Twin?

The concept of Digital Twins is transforming the way we approach location-based services and intelligent workplaces. This post explores how this technology is shifting our focus from isolated Real-Time Locator System (RTLS) use cases to a more holistic, automated approach.

TLDR: Digital Twins are reframing location-based services and IoT from isolated use cases to comprehensive, automated systems that optimize intelligent workplaces.

Definitions:

• Digital Twin: An integrated data-driven virtual representation of real-world entities and processes, with synchronized interaction at a specified frequency and fidelity.
• RTLS (Real-Time Locator System): An IoT-based system that uses various technologies to automatically identify and track the location of objects or people in real time.
• Building Automation Systems: A centralized system that automates and monitors building functions like HVAC, lighting, and security to enhance efficiency and comfort.
• Industry 4.0: The fourth industrial revolution, characterized by the integration of digital technologies into industrial processes.

The Details:

The RTLS industry has long been dominated by the concept of use cases. While finding people and property in a building is undoubtedly valuable, this approach has led to a proliferation of point solutions. Even as larger vendors attempt to create platforms, customers often opt for best-in-breed solutions for specific needs.

However, stepping outside healthcare and into the broader industrial landscape, we encounter Industry 4.0. This concept revolves around three key components: the Digital Twin, AI, and IoT. These technologies are gaining significant traction beyond healthcare.

🏢 Building, Being a Building

Industry 4.0 has demonstrated the "smart building" as a digital twin. But what is demonstrated is a building that has sensors to help the building operate efficiently. These are also called Building Automation Systems (BAS). This version of the smart building knows nothing about the operations inside the building.

🏢💽🕴️Building, Being a Operating System

The Digital Twin concept offers a new lens through which to view location and smart building systems. Instead of focusing solely on observation, as many RTLS use cases do, Digital Twins emphasize automation. This shift in perspective aligns more closely with the goals of Industry 4.0 and offers a more comprehensive approach to managing intelligent workplaces.

This is an Operational Digital Twin, where workflows are conceptualized as rational agents. These agents require ‘senses’ to perceive their environment, which is precisely what location and smart building systems provide. By integrating these systems into a Digital Twin, we create a more cohesive and intelligent operational model.

Industry Use Case: In a hospital setting, a Digital Twin could integrate data from various systems - patient tracking, equipment location, staff movements, and environmental controls. Instead of separate systems for each function, the Digital Twin would create a comprehensive model of the hospital’s operations. This could optimize patient flow, improve equipment utilization, enhance staff efficiency, and even contribute to better infection control by understanding movement patterns within the facility.

Key Takeaways:

Digital Twins offer a more holistic approach to location-based services than traditional RTLS use cases. - The focus shifts from observation to automation in intelligent workplaces. - Digital Twins integrate multiple systems and data sources for a comprehensive operational model. - This approach aligns with Industry 4.0 concepts, bringing healthcare and other industries closer to the future of intelligent operations.

Conclusion: The shift towards Digital Twins represents a significant evolution in how we approach location-based services and intelligent workplaces. By moving beyond isolated RTLS use cases to a more integrated, automated approach, we can unlock new levels of efficiency and intelligence in our operations. As we continue to explore and implement these technologies, the potential for optimization and innovation in our workplaces is boundless.

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Until next week,

Paul E Zieske ​Location Based Services Consulting ​​​