Digital Thread

Break down data silos & connect business-critical information

What is a digital thread?

A digital thread is the communication framework that allows for a connected data flow and integrated view of the product’s and asset’s data throughout its lifecycle, connecting the many digital twins. Data should be reusable and flow both downstream and upstream through feedback loops. Considering the data applications outside of the data-generating domain, all the data in a digital thread must be clear, concise and validated.

Traditionally, a digital thread span's across siloed functional perspectives, but for value networks, which include suppliers, partners and customers, it needs to also extend outside of an organization’s border.

A digital thread is the communication framework that provides a connected
data flow and integrated view of the product’s data throughout its lifecycle,
connecting the many digital twins. Data should be reusable and flow both
downstream and upstream through feedback loops. Considering the data
applications outside of the data generating domain, all the data in a digital
thread must be clear, concise, and validated.
Traditionally, a digital thread spans siloed functional perspectives, but for
value networks, which include suppliers, partners and customers, it needs to
also extend outside of an organization’s border.

Eurostep sees a digital thread as a coherent set of integrated product information that is enriched by integrating data from a disparate set of domains and disciplines across the value network of suppliers, partners, and customers throughout the life cycle of a product. For a digital thread to be resilient it must be designed with links and relationships that can be managed and changed over time. A digital thread based on these principles enables agile product development with, continuous feedback loops at all stages of the product lifecycle.

Why a digital thread?

Companies increasingly seek to achieve complete digital transformations as businesses are shifting towards growing global networks involving partners, suppliers, joint ventures, and customers. Network-centric organisations leverage global access to markets, access to skills, time to market and time to volume production.

With increased data availability, digital threads are needed to connect and provide integrated views of information for improved quality and agility in decision-making. They break down data silos and ensure full traceability and full transparency of business-critical information across global value chains.

How to implement a digital thread using PLCS?

Product Life Cycle Support (PLCS) is an ISO standard developed for the maintenance and through-life support of complex products using a state-of-the-art open and rich data model. Led by Eurostep, the data model of the PLCS standard was designed to enable a digital thread and digital twin even before these concepts became well established. Implementing PLCS doesn't only provide an immediate digital thread capability but also adds new functionality to already existing software and processes.

Key PLCS concepts in ShareAspace

  • Distinguish between designs and actuals (individuals)
  • Manage different BOM views (such as as-designed, as-manufactured and as-maintained) of a product and link/trace between them
  • Manage product properties and record their values over time or against different views
  • Audit trail covering the complete life cycle of a product and asset for overall configuration management of any digital thread data
  • Manage different breakdown views (such as physical and functional breakdowns) of a product and link between them and to different BOM views
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Eurostep solutions

Check out Eurostep's solution for a complete digital thread.

Recommended reading

Digital Thread in Aerospace and Defense eBook
Discover the future of Aerospace & Defense with Digital Thread - Download our free eBook As a global leader in lifecycle management and collaboration, Eurostep is proud to contribute to ...
Webinar: The Digital Thread – How will it impact your business?
Manage product complexity and boost your business performance Webinar update: New date announced New Date: 09/05/2023 Please note that the date for the webinar has changed. Due to unforeseen circumstances, ...
Building Information Modelling with digital twins and digital thread using ShareAspace
Realizing the BIM Digital Twin and Digital Thread with ShareAspace, IFC, IoT and Azure Services to Support the Data Management Across the Life Cycle of Building and AEC Assets
BIM and the Digital Twin The use of Building Information Models [BIMs] is changing the way the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction [AEC] industries will operate in the future. Data from ...
Enabling the digital thread with ShareAspace
A Digital Thread is for Life – Not Just Manufacturing
Implementing the digital thread and digital twin with PLCS The concept of a Digital Thread has been gaining traction for a while. It often seems to be focused on manufacturing: ...
Do we need a standard like PLCS to build a digital thread?
Posting this as a blog on the Eurostep web site but you can follow the discussion on Linkedin here. PLCS is not needed for a digital thread but it is ...
Collaboration in the Engineering and Manufacturing Supply Chain – the Extended Digital Thread and Smart Manufacturing
Business is increasingly performed in networks. These can involve the supply chain, partners, joint ventures and customers. There are many reasons for networked business, such as global access to markets, ...
Digital Thread in Aerospace and Defense eBook
Discover the future of Aerospace & Defense with Digital Thread - Download our free eBook As a global leader in lifecycle management and collaboration, Eurostep is proud to contribute to ...
Webinar: The Digital Thread – How will it impact your business?
Manage product complexity and boost your business performance Webinar update: New date announced New Date: 09/05/2023 Please note that the date for the webinar has changed. Due to unforeseen circumstances, ...
Building Information Modelling with digital twins and digital thread using ShareAspace
Realizing the BIM Digital Twin and Digital Thread with ShareAspace, IFC, IoT and Azure Services to Support the Data Management Across the Life Cycle of Building and AEC Assets
BIM and the Digital Twin The use of Building Information Models [BIMs] is changing the way the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction [AEC] industries will operate in the future. Data from ...
Enabling the digital thread with ShareAspace
A Digital Thread is for Life – Not Just Manufacturing
Implementing the digital thread and digital twin with PLCS The concept of a Digital Thread has been gaining traction for a while. It often seems to be focused on manufacturing: ...
Do we need a standard like PLCS to build a digital thread?
Posting this as a blog on the Eurostep web site but you can follow the discussion on Linkedin here. PLCS is not needed for a digital thread but it is ...
Collaboration in the Engineering and Manufacturing Supply Chain – the Extended Digital Thread and Smart Manufacturing
Business is increasingly performed in networks. These can involve the supply chain, partners, joint ventures and customers. There are many reasons for networked business, such as global access to markets, ...

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