State of the Art of Digital Twins in Improving Supply Chain Resilience

Abstract

Background: In today’s complex and rapidly changing global markets, supply chain resilience (SCR) has become critical for businesses aiming to maintain continuity and competitive advantage. Disruptions and challenges in the supply chain will always exist; therefore, preparing in advance and improving resilience for the upcoming consequences should be the utmost important goal. Methods: Digital twins (DTs) provide a comprehensive view of product performance, enabling companies to adopt an end-to-end approach to product management. To maximize product and service value, supply chains must also be managed holistically. Results: Therefore, companies will need smarter strategies to balance inventory costs, availability and lead times. The optimal setup of suppliers, manufacturing, logistics and stock locations will ensure high service levels and meet customer expectations. Additionally, supply chains must be resilient, and capable of maintaining performance during disruptions and adapting to demand changes. Conclusions: This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the state of the art in digital twin applications within supply chains, focusing on their role in improving visibility, agility and decision-making. This paper explores how digital twins might integrate with emerging technologies such as IoT, AI and blockchain, fostering a more adaptive and robust supply chain ecosystem.