Page 34 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2019 Online Magazine

enterprise application acts as a digital twin of certain processes—
whether that is the entire business or running a 3D model by taking
in data from several third-party systems. In others, the enterprise
software could be the source of the digital twin, becoming part of
a larger data ecosystem which builds up a digital twin somewhere
else. However, this requires flexible and agile enterprise software
that has been designed to support digital twin initiatives and is
suitable to fulfil a variety of roles—failure to track and deliver data
in the right place at the right time could lead to weak link in the
chain and undermine an entire digital twin operation.

Four business benefits for
independent MROs
Independent MROs who are regularly capturing key data streams
in their enterprise software can start to quickly take advantage of
digital twinning to differentiate their service offerings against other
independent MRO competitors, and also against large inflexible
OEMs that have a number of disparate systems in place. There are
a number of ways independent MROs can leverage digital twins to net result is that supply chain managers have
benefit themselves and their customers: better control of their stocks.

1) INCREASE AIRCRAFT SAFETY Case in Point: TEST-FUCHS
Using serialised asset digital twins in conjunction with real-time/ One IFS customer that has designed a dedi-
near real-time monitoring and predictive analytics can help detect a cated digital twin programme is TEST-FUCHS,
defect earlier, through prior insight into the component’s condition. a leading manufacturer of test systems and
The net result is that part safety is increased, making aircraft and components for aerospace and defence organ-
airlines safer. One strong example is Dutch carrier KLM— it reduced isations. TEST-FUCHS has a dedicated digital
its minimum equipment list defects and delays and cancellations twin approach for ground support assets and
by 50% since introducing AI to manage predictive maintenance. test equipment. As the manufacturer of the
assets, TEST-FUCHS looks at the engineering
2) EVOLVE FROM REPAIR SHOP TO POWER-BY-THE-HOUR & design and procurement data of the asset it
SERVICE PROVIDER is selling, and also has full control of the IoT-
Digital twins can transform the maintenance models offered by enabled test facility to provide maintenance
independent MROs toward offering lifecycle support contracts that data in real-time, then execute that mainte-
reduce maintenance visits and costs through individual serialised nance in its repair shop. This gives the company
inspection and service schedules. By taking the pressure of asset a deep view of the data which builds up in an
maintenance management, MROs allow airlines to focus on their asset’s lifecycle and provides visibility across
core business of flying passengers, not spending cycles managing the entire digital twin landscape around every
wrench turning. MROs can also redefine service contract terms for asset. IFS Applications plays a prominent role
the specific assets being maintained, based on their digital twin in this environment—enabling TEST-FUCHS
history and projected future performance. to build up an enterprise-wide picture of their
business processes to put the digital twin strat-
3) EXTEND ASSET LIFE egy into action.
Digital twins also enable MROs to build a broader understanding
of supported assets while in service. They can use predictive main- Unlock MRO Potential
tenance techniques to maximise their availability and time on-wing MROs are ideally placed to harness the ROI
or overlay health monitoring data with a digital asset twin to trend and benefits of digital twin technology to
performance and reliability on a serial number basis. This gives improve and optimise their service offerings
them unparalleled insight into the assets they support over time. and business performance. But in all these
As more asset information is built into the digital twin, MROs can examples I have shown, to effectively put a dig-
learn from this to cement their reputation as asset or component ital twin strategy in place requires the support
experts. of agile and flexible enterprise software geared
towards data-driven decision-making. With a
4) IMPROVE THE BUSINESS SUPPLY CHAIN strategy that is both solid and visionary, and the
The benefits of a digital twin spread more widely than just the right software support, independent MROs can
single component in question. By knowing in advance which com- take a slice of the US$26.07 billion opportunity
ponent will fail, supply chain managers can plan and have parts the growing digital twin market represents, and
and material ready and available when needed—either to replace better serve their increasingly demanding air-
the failed component or for use as part of the repair process. The line customers.

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