According to the FutureScape Outlook for 2018 , digital twins – real-time digital images of entire process chains and production units – will succeed only if application lifecycle management (software) and product lifecycle management (machines) can be synchronized. For the advantages outlined by IDC to emerge, the market analysts recommend that companies promptly build teams that combine IT and engineering competencies. This obviously also still requires a lot of training. As to this point in particular, the parallel Indra forecasts add that, for the Australian energy market, the possibilities of virtual reality based on digital twins make education and training much easier.

Digital twins are nevertheless not among the most pressing issues in IDC’s forecast: cybersecurity, blockchain technologies and largely self-regulating asset management will, according to the market researchers, have the biggest impact on corporate success in the coming years.