Microsoft and NTT Data introduced a digital twin offering for enterprises to model real-world scenarios and connect IoT data at the edge to digital twins in the cloud.

The solution, which was developed with digital twin provider e-Magic and Microsoft Azure digital twin tech, begins by measuring energy consumption at the edge and integrating meters, sensors, systems, and devices into one dashboard so enterprises can assess their environmental impact in near real time.

According to NTT Data Chief Digital Officer Tanvir Khan, sustainability has become a significant enterprise consideration due to regulations, industry standards, and "the positive branding with employees and clients," he told SDxCentral. NTT claims its digital twin offering will help accelerate corporate sustainability and emissions targets by automating edge data integration, removing data silos, and measuring various scopes of carbon emissions.

Khan dove into the details of the digital twin offering with SDxCentral over an email-conducted interview.

SDxCentral: How is this solution different than existing digital twin offerings?

Khan: Digital twin technology has many use cases, but this solution is exceptional in that it can be tailored to exactly what a client needs no matter the industry to support the reduction of carbon emissions. It has simplified the process for an organization to start a sustainability journey.

SDxCentral: What use cases for this solution do you expect to emerge?

Khan: While energy reduction and cost savings might be the initial drivers for sustainability programs, this solution can be evolved to achieve the sustainability goals of an organization, including getting to carbon net-zero emission.

Our first use cases have been in manufacturing, but we expect to see growth in all industries. Our solution could be used in agriculture, health care, city governments – anyone with a goal to reduce emissions and get to net-zero.

SDxCentral: What do you anticipate will be common barriers to successful adoption of this offering?

Khan: In the short term, investment in sustainable practices and the skilled workforce to implement can be a barrier, even with long-term positive effects like reducing energy usage and increasing efficiency. But even before getting to start-up costs, leaders must understand their impact on the environment and what sustainability means for them. There is a misconception that environmentally sustainable practices are a “nice-to-have” and not something that will bring value to the organization.

For organizations that have started to implement sustainable initiatives, sustainability goals need to align with employee performance and overall business goals – with measurable KPIs.

SDxCentral: What is driving sustainability to be a business imperative?

Khan: Across all industry sectors, clients tell us sustainability is an important component of their technology buying decisions and overall business strategy. Our recurring risk assessments show that climate change is a key risk for companies, on par with cyberattacks. On the positive side, innovation toward sustainable outcomes can make a long-lasting positive impact on the environment and drive economic growth as well as individual equity.

The main drivers of sustainable business practices right now are adherence to regulations and industry standards and the positive branding with employees and clients. Many sustainable solutions are also cost effective and increase efficiency, so innovative leaders have many reasons to incorporate sustainability into their overall corporate goals.