Many companies’ supply chains are under increasing pressure: cyberattacks, geopolitical tensions, and regulatory requirements call for new ways to detect disruptions early and respond appropriately.
As part of the “Business Meets Science” event series organized by the Innovations Kontakt Stelle Hamburg (IKS), Prof. Dr. Christian Thies demonstrated how digital supply chain twins can contribute to supply chain resilience. Drawing on insights from the MaaSiveTwin research project, he explained that digital twins provide support on three levels:
- Early risk detection: Real-time monitoring and disruption detection make deviations visible before they escalate into crises.
- Evaluating alternative scenarios: The digital twin becomes a scenario laboratory: What happens if a supplier fails? What alternative routes and sources are available?
- Making informed decisions: Speed is of the essence during a disruption—reliable data provides the necessary basis for decision-making.
In addition to the potential benefits, Prof. Thies also discussed the challenges of implementation. In particular, data quality, data availability across organizational boundaries, and the establishment of cooperation and trust along the supply chain are not merely add-ons, but the very core of the task — and at the same time offer great potential for joint projects between academia and industry.
The event also highlighted the close interplay between resilience and sustainability: A consistent focus on sustainability helps companies better manage crises. Conversely, a resiliently designed supply chain, for example through a stronger focus on regional suppliers, can contribute to sustainability. Further insights were provided by Prof. Dr. Laura Marie Edinger-Schons (University of Hamburg) on the topic of sustainability as a resilience strategy, as well as by Dr. Ole John (Fraunhofer CML) on the importance of high-quality data for resilient processes in maritime logistics.
