Every euro counts, and before implementing any new technology (expanding a chestnut packaging line, installing a smart dryer, or modernizing a feed plant), SMEs need to know exactly what will happen if they change the layout, production rate, or energy parameters. This is where digital twins come in: virtual replicas that allow future-proofing without shutting down the factory.
- Challenges that can hinder the implementation of innovation
- High initial investment and risk of failure in tight-margin environments.
- Identification of technical suppliers and access to specialized talent.
- Dependence on energy and logistics infrastructure, which may be less flexible in rural environments.
- What is a Digital Twin?
A virtual representation connected in real time to physical equipment via IoT sensors. This bidirectional synchronization makes it possible to:
- Monitor process variables 24/7.
- Simulate scenarios ("What happens if I add a night shift?").
- Predict breakdowns and optimize maintenance.
In agriculture and forestry, this technology is already considered disruptive because it integrates data, AI, and simulation to improve operational and strategic decisions.
- Tangible benefits for SMEs
Among the most significant benefits that digital twins bring to SMEs, especially rural ones, are several key aspects:
- They allow for reduced CAPEX (capital expenditure) by conducting virtual testing before investing in the acquisition of new machinery, which reduces the risk of unnecessary or inefficient purchases.
- They also contribute to improving operational efficiency by adjusting layouts, identifying and resolving bottlenecks, and optimizing energy consumption.
- Furthermore, extending the lifespan of equipment is possible through predictive maintenance based on monitoring data such as vibration and temperature.
- Finally, regulatory compliance is facilitated through emissions simulation and improved process traceability.
- Use cases for a family business:
- Winery: fermentation room twin to regulate temperature and CO₂, improving wine quality without energy overruns.
- Dairy cooperative: packaging route simulation to reduce waste.
- Chestnut dryer: virtual heat flow model to shorten drying cycles.
- Pig farm: twin that combines computer vision and ammonia sensors to predict health outbreaks.
- Available tools and solutions
- Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation: robust solution for creating digital twins of industrial plants. It allows simulation of production and logistics flows, identifying potential improvements before making real investments, such as expanding packaging lines or reorganizing the industrial layout.
- AnyLogic: A flexible platform for developing digital twins with hybrid models (discrete simulation, system dynamics, and agent-based). Ideal for analyzing complex scenarios in supply chains and agricultural or industrial processes, facilitating strategic decisions and minimizing risks in rural businesses.
- Azure Digital Twins / AWS IoT TwinMaker: Accessible cloud services that allow the implementation of scalable digital twins under a "pay-per-use" economic model. These tools simplify the creation and management of virtual models connected in real time by IoT sensors, ideal for rural SMEs looking to control initial costs.
- FIWARE & Node-RED: An affordable open-source stack, especially suitable for developing low-cost pilots in rural areas. It facilitates the rapid creation of customized digital twins, allowing SMEs to conduct virtual tests of technological innovation on a tight budget.
- How does DIGIS3 help you?
- Free assessment of 4.0 maturity and feasibility of creating a digital twin.
- Sensor and AI labs and access to high-performance computing (HPC) to run complex simulations.
- Financing advice (regional, national, and European funds).
- Demonstration pilots in real-world agri-food and logistics environments.
Next step: Tell us about your challenge and we'll validate whether a digital twin can save you costs before making the investment. Write to us at info@digis3.euor request your assessment using the form on the website.
