The Road to a Digital Thread

A Digital Thread is no longer a "nice thing to have" but "the thing to have". In a world where shipbuilding business is of a truly global nature and intricately connected to supply chains and customers across the globe, efficiency, accuracy and speed of data management is crucial. The Digital Thread which primarily comprises of a wide connected network of data platforms and applications is thus the backbone of any organization desiring to be "online" and "in time" to respond to the queries from customers or partners alike.

As easy as it may sound, a setting up a Digital Thread across an entity with disparate software platforms, data types and formats, IT security policies etc is a formidable challenge. The starting point for any such major initiative is for a comprehensive assessment to be undertaken of the existing software applications and systems handling design, change and requirements, procurement and planning and so on. Nowadays Customers are also expecting Digital Twin capability which is usually built up on the Digital Thread.

Shipbuilders will be well placed to undertake such detailed assessments to start with so that the road to a digital thread and later a digital twin be be clear and definitive.