Overwhelmed by Data, Aerospace and Defense Executives Embrace Digital Threads and Digital Twins, Accenture Research Finds
July 17 2018 - 2:59AM
Business Wire
Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of aerospace and defense
executives surveyed feel overwhelmed by the amount of available
data from products and services and will increasingly use digital
threads and digital twins over the next three years to help
overcome this challenge, according to findings of an (NYSE:ACN)
Accenture Research study released today.
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A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object
— such as a three-dimensional model of an aircraft engine — often
used for prototyping, testing and simulation of design manufacture,
and serviceability to gain efficiencies in product development. A
digital thread is an extension of the digital twin into a product’s
lifecycle from concept through design, engineering, supply chain,
manufacturing and the aftermarket, tying real-life data and
analytics to the virtual world to develop better products and
services. Use of these innovative technologies can streamline data
flows and enhance manufacturing productivity and reliability.
All of the executives surveyed said they plan to use digital
thread and digital twin technologies within three years to manage
supplier and partner content as well as intellectual-property
management. In this same time period, nearly half (47 percent)
expect to see a singular, all-encompassing digital thread/digital
twin across the ecosystem that serves their customers, with
slightly fewer (43 percent) expecting a coordinated digital
twin/digital thread by major functionality and/or
supplier/partner.
In addition, nearly all (96 percent) of the executives said they
are using or evaluating digital twin technologies, with more than
half (53 percent) using them for both existing and new products and
services, and 43 percent using the technologies for new products
and services only. The top business outcomes companies are seeking
by deploying digital threads are faster time to market and
identifying operational cost savings.
“The growing and complementary use of digital threads and
digital twins in aerospace and defense is moving in lock-step with
the industry’s pursuit of data veracity and corporate-wide digital
transformations,” said John Schmidt, managing director for
Accenture’s Aerospace and Defense practice. “These technologies can
help companies leverage data to generate more-valuable insights,
improve decision making and reduce manufacturing costs.”
The Accenture Research report also reveals use of other advanced
technologies to better manage or use product or service and usage
data:
- 77 percent use augmented reality in
sales and marketing, such as integration of messaging with customer
tours;
- 63 percent use artificial intelligence
to analyze product or customer usage data;
- 57 percent use virtual reality in
design such as walk-throughs or fit analysis; and
- 57 percent are exploring use of
blockchain to manage configuration data.
These survey results are analyzed in a full report titled “The
Digital Thread Imperative: Aerospace and Defense Companies Must
Make the Right Connections for New Growth.”
Methodology
The Accenture Digital Thread Research consisted of a global
online survey of communications, high-tech, and aerospace and
defense executives in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific aimed
at better understanding how these companies are evolving in their
use of lifecycle management technologies such as blockchains,
digital threads and digital twins. The survey polled 150 executives
— including 30 from the aerospace and defense industry — from
Global 2000 companies spanning nine countries: Canada, China,
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and
the United States.
About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional services company,
providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy,
consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched
experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries
and all business functions – underpinned by the world’s largest
delivery network – Accenture works at the intersection of business
and technology to help clients improve their performance and create
sustainable value for their stakeholders. With 449,000 people
serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives
innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us
at www.accenture.com.
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AccentureCharles Hartley,
973-590-9920charles.hartley@accenture.com
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