Industry Talks by ARC Advisory Group

Digital twins are entering a third era - evolving from visualization and simulation tools into a foundation for industrial intelligence.
In this episode of ARC Industry Talks, David Humphrey welcomes Jan Burian to explore what this evolution means for industrial organizations.
The conversation traces how digital twins evolved from visualization and monitoring to advanced capabilities such as simulation, asset performance management, engineering validation and virtual commissioning. Today, the focus is on using digital twins to connect information across the industrial lifecycle and support better decisions.
A key theme is the growing importance of context. Collecting data alone is no longer enough. Organizations need to connect data with engineering knowledge, operational information and real-world processes to generate actionable insights. Continuous synchronization between digital twins and their physical counterparts is also essential for maintaining trust and delivering value.
David and Jan discuss how AI is becoming an integral part of digital twin environments. Rather than replacing engineering models, AI is combined with physics-based simulation and industrial knowledge. This can help automate model creation, contextualize information and make complex industrial systems easier to understand and manage.
The episode also explores how digital twins expand beyond individual products, machines and production lines toward entire factories, infrastructure, supply chains and industrial ecosystems. The growing complexity of interconnected systems - including data centers and AI factories - creates new opportunities for digital twin technologies.
Finally, the discussion examines the strategies of Siemens, Dassault Systèmes and AVEVA. Despite different historical strengths, all three are moving toward broader platforms that connect engineering, operations and industrial knowledge.
The key takeaway: The value of digital twins is shifting from building increasingly sophisticated models to enabling better decisions.
Trusted, continuously updated digital representations - enriched with context, engineering knowledge and AI - are becoming a foundation for industrial intelligence.
For more insights, explore ARC Advisory Group’s research and industry analysis.

Chapters
(00:00) Welcome
(00:24) The Third Era of Digital Twins
(03:30) Siemens, Dassault and AVEVA
(05:52) Why Now? Three Drivers
(09:02) Context and AI
(13:34) Bigger Twins, Converging Strategies
(16:39) Key Takeaway

Want to get in touch?
We welcome your suggestions, ideas, feedback and criticism. Leave us a comment on Spotify or write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠.
You can also reach us on LinkedIn (⁠@arcweb-europe⁠) or YouTube (@ARCadvisory).
Subscribe to the ARCwire Industry Newsletter: ⁠https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters⁠

Further readings:
We’ve linked relevant ARC reports and resources in the show notes or visit: ⁠www.arcweb.com⁠
· https://www.arcweb.com/industry-best-practices/beyond-buzzword-what-industrial-users-really-need-digital-twins⁠
· https://www.arcweb.com/industry-best-practices/champions-radar-digital-twin-solution-machine-builders
· https://brazil.arcweb-europe.com/⁠
· https://brazil.arcweb-europe.com/br⁠
· https://www.arcweb-europe.com/⁠
· https://www.arcweb.com/events/arc-industry-leadership-forum-brazil⁠

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review and share it with your network! Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire Industry Newsletter at: ⁠https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters⁠
Hosts: David Humphrey, Jan Burian
Produced by: ikone productions

More episodes at:
· Spotify (⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/37B9kNLc6MyH3oWQNN0wVL?si=a598076ac6a14b3e⁠)
· Apple (⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/industry-talks-by-arc-advisory-group/id1848323518⁠)
· Youtube (⁠https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRvAuS1b455RfGRBtnQI_-ePTItfIfi3F&si=FMMlpaZiZrp1rssE⁠)

In this episode of ARC Industry Talks, David Humphrey and Florian Güldner discuss Schneider Electric's planned $23 billion acquisition of PTC and what it could mean for the industrial software market.

Schneider Electric's planned acquisition could reshape the industrial software market by combining PTC's PLM capabilities with AVEVA's engineering and operations software and Schneider's automation portfolio. This would change the automation landscape.

David and Florian discuss the strategic fit, lessons from previous industry software deals, integration risks, and how AI, agentic engineering, software-defined automation, and virtual PLCs could create a continuous digital thread from product design to plant control.

The conversation puts the deal in perspective: at around $23 billion it is roughly ten times what ABB paid for B&R and about seven times what Siemens paid for UGS nineteen years ago, making it the largest acquisition the automation industry has seen. The transaction still requires regulatory approval and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2027.

Looking back, the episode traces how automation companies entered the PLM space, from Siemens buying UGS in 2007 to the Rockwell–PTC partnership that never became the growth platform both sides had expected. The lesson: a good strategy fit does not guarantee strong sales, aligned sales channels or lasting execution.

Another key theme is where the synergies actually are. Florian plays devil's advocate, pointing out that independent software vendors such as Hexagon, Cadmatic, Bentley and Autodesk continue to thrive, and that 70 to 80 percent of PLC business comes from machine builders rather than from the end users who buy PLM software. David points to Schneider's pending acquisition of Cognite as the missing piece: the contextualization layer that could become the company's industrial AI foundation.

The key takeaway: the deal does not hinge on the purchase price, the overlapping products or the integration, but on Schneider Electric's ability to execute.

Chapters

(00:00) Welcome & ARC Events: Orlando, SPS, NAMUR

(0:45) ARC Forum Rio de Janeiro: November 10–12

(1:22) Schneider Electric to Acquire PTC – USD 23 Billion

(2:54) What PTC Adds: Product Design, PLM and Vuforia

(4:29) The PLM Market and How Automation Vendors Got There

(6:43) Rockwell & PTC: The Partnership That Didn't Scale

(8:17) Software vs. Hardware: Two Lifecycles

(9:48) The Risks: Price, Overlap and Staying Open

(10:30) Devil's Advocate: Where Are the Synergies?

(12:40) Cognite and the Industrial AI Foundation

(15:33) Software-Defined Automation and the Virtual PLC

Want to get in touch?

We welcome your suggestions, ideas, feedback and criticism. Feel free to leave us a comment on Spotify or write to us at: [email protected]. You can also reach us on LinkedIn (@arcweb-europe) or YouTube (@ARCadvisory). Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire Industry Newsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Further readings

We've linked relevant ARC reports and resources in the show notes or visit: www.arcweb.com

• https://www.arcweb-europe.com/

• https://www.arcweb.com/best-practice-surveys/arc-sentiment-index-survey

• https://www.arcweb.com/blog/schneider-electrics-proposed-ptc-acquisition-could-redefine-industrial-digital-thread

• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/schneider-electricptc-industrial-ai-battle-shifts-digital-humphrey-ibdbe/

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review and share it with your network! Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire Industry Newsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Hosts: David Humphrey, Florian Güldner

Produced by: ikone productions

More episodes at:

• Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/37B9kNLc6MyH3oWQNN0wVL?si=a598076ac6a14b3e)

• Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/industry-talks-by-arc-advisory-group/id1848323518)

• Youtube (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRvAuS1b455RfGRBtnQI_-ePTItfIfi3F&si=FMMlpaZiZrp1rssE)

In this episode of ARC Industry Talks, Florian Güldner is joined by ARC analyst Stefan Miksch to explore Brazil’s changing industrial landscape and the developments shaping its automation and technology markets.

The discussion looks at Brazil’s evolving position in the global industrial economy, including changing trade relationships, increasing market openness and the growing role of technology and modernization.

Stefan shares insights from ARC’s market research, including an estimated Brazilian process and discrete automation market of around $3.5 billion, representing approximately 2% of the global automation market. Process industries account for around 80% of the market, with energy, utilities, oil and gas and biofuels playing major roles.

The conversation also explores the growth of automotive, food and beverage, packaging and machinery, as well as the increasing use of AI, digitalization, Industry 4.0, MES and advanced analytics to improve industrial operations.

Another key theme is Brazil’s technology ecosystem. Global automation suppliers operate alongside strong local companies such as WEG, Altus, SMAR and Radix, supported by local integrators and engineering companies. This combination of global technology and local expertise is creating new opportunities for modernization.

Throughout the episode, Florian and Stefan discuss how technology, changing trade dynamics and Brazil’s strong industrial ecosystem could shape the next phase of industrial development.

The key takeaway: Brazil combines a large and diversified industrial market with a growing technology ecosystem and increasing demand for modernization. AI, digitalization, automation and changing global trade dynamics could all play an important role in shaping what comes next.

The episode also looks ahead to the ARC Industry Forum in Rio de Janeiro, November 10–12, 2026, bringing together industrial users, technology suppliers and system integrators to discuss cybersecurity, open automation, industrial AI and digital transformation.

Featured perspectives will include Petrobras, Braskem, Nestlé and Vivix, with discussions covering remote operations, Industry 4.0, open automation and the challenge of scaling industrial AI beyond individual pilots.

Chapters

00:00 Why ARC Is Taking the Forum to Brazil

3:53 Beyond BRICS: Brazil Is Not China

4:57 The Infant Industry Argument – and Why It Failed

6:10 Sizing the Market: USD 3.5 Billion, 80% Process

7:44 Infrastructure, Oil & Gas and 100% Biofuels

9:13 Remote Operations

10:42 Discrete Automation: Automotive Leads

13:13 Food & Beverage, Machine Builders and Modernization

17:33 The Local Vendor Ecosystem: WEG, Altus, SMAR, Radix

20:11 ARC Forum Rio

Want to get in touch?

We welcome your suggestions, ideas, feedback and criticism. Feel free to leave us a comment on Spotify or write to us at: [email protected]. You can also reach us on LinkedIn (@arcweb-europe) or YouTube (@ARCadvisory). Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire Industry Newsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Further readings

We’ve linked relevant ARC reports and resources in the show notes or visit: www.arcweb.com

• https://brazil.arcweb-europe.com/

• https://brazil.arcweb-europe.com/br

• https://www.arcweb-europe.com/

• https://www.arcweb.com/events/arc-industry-leadership-forum-brazil

• https://www.arcweb.com/industry-best-practices/brazils-industry-dawn-new-era

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review and share it with your network! Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire Industry Newsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Hosts: Stefan Miksch, Florian Güldner

Produced by: ikone productions

More episodes at:

• Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/37B9kNLc6MyH3oWQNN0wVL?si=a598076ac6a14b3e)

• Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/industry-talks-by-arc-advisory-group/id1848323518)

• Youtube (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRvAuS1b455RfGRBtnQI_-ePTItfIfi3F&si=FMMlpaZiZrp1rssE)

What's driving the next wave of industrial transformation?

In this month's ARC Industry Talks – News, David Humphrey and Florian Güldner review the most-read industry topics of the past four weeks, based on ARC's ArcWire readership.

They start with digital twins, which are evolving beyond visualization, simulation and asset monitoring into intelligent platforms connecting physical assets, operational data, engineering knowledge, simulation, AI and human expertise — a possible foundation for linking engineering, operations and enterprise intelligence.

Next, the two examine ARC's research on the Collaborative Autonomous Enterprise: what separates industrial AI PaceSetters from the mainstream, and why data silos, legacy applications and organizational barriers still limit the potential of AI. The goal is not simply to deploy AI, but to make it part of a broader operational strategy on the way to autonomous optimization.

The episode then turns to Software-Defined Automation (SDA) as a practical bridge between industrial AI and real-time machine execution, bringing together machine-level integration, edge inference, lifecycle management, cybersecurity and the flexibility required for Physical AI.

Another major theme is the convergence of IT, OT and ET. As industrial organizations become more connected, integrating these domains grows more important for efficiency, innovation, resilience and lifecycle management — and increasingly a question of breaking down traditional silos.

The key takeaway: connectivity accelerated after COVID, AI is now driving further investment, and transformation is moving beyond individual technologies. New architectures, connectivity and IT/OT/ET convergence are creating the foundation for the next stage — from automation toward autonomy.

Plus updates on ARC's upcoming forums: the ARC Industry Forum in Rio de Janeiro, November 10–12, 2026, and the European Forum in Sitges in May 2027, on From Automation to Autonomy: Scaling Intelligence, Openness and Collaboration.

Want to get in touch?We welcome topic suggestions, feedback and criticism. Leave a comment on Spotify or write to [email protected]. Find us on LinkedIn (@arcweb-europe) and YouTube (@ARCadvisory). Subscribe to the ARCwire Industry Newsletter: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Further reading — more at www.arcweb.com
https://brazil.arcweb-europe.com/
https://brazil.arcweb-europe.com/br
https://www.arcweb-europe.com/
https://www.arcweb.com/events/arc-industry-leadership-forum-brazil
https://de.surveymonkey.com/r/QBCK2LD
https://www.arcweb.com/industry-best-practices/digital-twins-evolve-industrial-intelligence-platforms-comparing-strategies
https://www.arcweb.com/open-digital-ecosystem-ode-working-group
https://www.arcweb.com/industry-best-practices/orchestrating-collaborative-autonomous-enterprise-aligning-sap-digital
https://www.arcweb.com/industry-best-practices/software-defined-automation-emerges-missing-link-physical-ai
https://www.arcweb.com/industry-best-practices/convergence-unlocked-transforming-itotet-future

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review and share it!

Chapters

(0:00) Cold Open & Welcome(0:23) ArcWire: This Month's Top Stories(1:12) ARC Forum Rio de Janeiro: Dates, Sponsors & Speakers(1:57) Article 1: Digital Twins & AVEVA World(3:27) Open Ecosystems: The ODE Approach(4:11) Article 2: PaceSetter Report – Leaders, Mainstream, Laggards(6:57) ARC European Forum 2027: Sitges(7:44) Article 3: Software Defined Automation (SDA)(9:24) Article 4: IT/OT/ET Convergence(12:38) Big Picture: From Industry 4.0 to the AI Boom(14:21) Sign-Off

Hosts: David Humphrey, Florian Güldner
Produced by: ikone productions

More episodes at:Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/37B9kNLc6MyH3oWQNN0wVL?si=a598076ac6a14b3e)
Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/industry-talks-by-arc-advisory-group/id1848323518)
Youtube (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRvAuS1b455RfGRBtnQI_-ePTItfIfi3F&si=FMMlpaZiZrp1rssE)

AI is driving extraordinary growth in data centers, but the real challenge is the electricity needed to power it. In the first Coffee Talk since the new Industry Talks format was introduced, David Humphrey and Florian Güldner explore why the rapid growth of AI infrastructure could have implications far beyond data centers. As power consumption and density increase, data centers are becoming a testing ground for new approaches to electricity distribution, automation and energy management.

The conversation looks at growing pressure on power generation and infrastructure before diving into 800 V DC architectures. David explains how higher-voltage DC delivers the same power with lower current, reducing losses, heat, copper requirements and the footprint of power distribution.

Rather than supplying devices directly, 800 V DC provides a more efficient DC backbone, with power electronics converting energy to the levels required by individual systems.

This is particularly relevant for industry. Technologies including robotics, servo drives, industrial PCs, PLCs, machine vision, batteries, EV charging, solar and energy storage already rely on DC internally. Future facilities could increasingly connect these systems through shared DC distribution and local microgrids.

The discussion also explores the convergence of energy and automation. Future systems may need to consider production alongside energy availability, electricity prices, battery storage, solar generation and load shifting. This could move factories toward integrated energy and production systems.

The future is likely to be a hybrid architecture combining AC grid connections with DC microgrids and multiple voltage domains.

The episode concludes by looking at continued deployment of high-voltage DC in data centers, industrial DC microgrid pilots and the convergence of energy management, automation, electrification and computing.

The key takeaway: AI is forcing data centers to rethink electricity, and industrial plants may be next. While 800 V DC is an important milestone, the bigger story is the move toward high-voltage DC distribution and DC-native energy systems that could reshape how future facilities generate, distribute and manage energy.

Chapters

(00:00) Welcome — A New Format
(01:05) Why Data Centers Are a Growth Market
(04:39) 1,000 Terawatt Hours by 2030
(06:14) Where Does the Capital Come From?
(07:30) Switching Gears: Electricity
(08:52) Why 800 Volts DC
(11:45) Factories Are Already DC
(13:15) A Distribution Layer, Not a Socket
(15:11) Automation and Energy Converge
(18:43) The Key Takeaway

Want to get in touch?

We welcome yourtopic suggestions, ideas, feedback and criticism. Feel free to leave us acomment on Spotify or write to us at: [email protected].You can also reach us on LinkedIn (@arcweb-europe) orYouTube (@ARCadvisory). Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire IndustryNewsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Further readings

We’ve linked relevant ARC reports and resources in the show notes or visit: www.arcweb.com

·      https://www.arcweb-europe.com/

·      https://brazil.arcweb-europe.com/ 

·      https://de.surveymonkey.com/r/QBCK2LD

·      https://www.arcweb.com/market-analysis/industrial-automation-data-centers

Enjoyed theepisode? Subscribe, leave a review and share it with your network! Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire Industry Newsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Hosts: David Humphrey, Florian Güldner

Produced by: ikone productions

More episodes at:

·      Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/37B9kNLc6MyH3oWQNN0wVL?si=a598076ac6a14b3e)

·      Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/industry-talks-by-arc-advisory-group/id1848323518)

·       Youtube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRvAuS1b455RfGRBtnQI_-ePTItfIfi3F&si=FMMlpaZiZrp1rssE)

Artificial intelligence is changing industrial operations - but not in the way many headlines suggest. While discussions often focus on AI models, robotics or autonomous agents, the real transformation lies in how these technologies work together with connected industrial data and operational workflows.

In this episode, David Humphrey and Jan Burian explore why the next generation of industrial competitiveness depends on the convergence of AI, automation, data and execution. Rather than replacing existing automation, AI is becoming a contextual decision layer that helps organizations move from analyzing historical information to making intelligent, real-time operational decisions.

The conversation examines why many industrial AI initiatives struggle to deliver value. Jan explains that the biggest challenge is rarely the AI model itself, but the lack of connected, contextualized operational data. Instead of centralizing all information into a single platform, companies are increasingly adopting semantic layers and data fabric architectures that connect IT and OT systems while leaving data where it resides.

David and Jan also discuss the evolving role of AI agents, robotics and digital twins. They explain why industrial AI is moving toward governed autonomy, where AI recommends and orchestrates actions while humans remain responsible for critical decisions. The discussion highlights how digital twins are evolving beyond visualization into live operational systems that enable continuous optimization and AI-driven decision support.

Finally, the episode explores what these changes mean for the workforce. Rather than replacing people, AI is augmenting human expertise and helping organizations address growing talent shortages while enabling operators and engineers to make better, faster decisions.

The key takeaway is clear: the real game changer is not AI itself, but the ability to transform connected industrial data into contextual, executable decisions across the entire operation.

Want to get in touch?

We welcome your topic suggestions, ideas, feedback and criticism. Feel free to leave us a comment on Spotify or write to us at: [email protected]. You can also reach us on LinkedIn (@arcweb-europe) or YouTube (@ARCadvisory). Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire IndustryNewsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Chapters:

(00:00) Welcome & Introduction

(00:00:32) ARCwire: Top Industry Trends

(00:01:34) Market Outlook, China & Industry Sentiment

(00:03:45) Honeywell’s AI Path to Autonomous Operations

(00:06:18) Schneider Electric Acquires Cognite

(00:08:40) DataOps, Platforms & Industrial AI Foundations

(00:09:43) ARC Forum Brazil Announcement

(00:10:23) Coffee Talk: Beyond the Industrial AI Hype

(00:13:40) Data Fabrics, AI Agents & Contextual Intelligence

(00:16:33) Digital Twins, Workforce Impact & Governed Autonomy

(00:18:24) The Real Game Changer: Connected Data & Real-Time Decisions

Further readings

We’ve linked relevant ARC reports and resources in the show notes or visit: www.arcweb.com

·      https://www.arcweb-europe.com/

·      ARC Automation Survey

·      https://www.arcweb.com/blog/honeywell-outlines-its-ai-driven-path-autonomous-operations-2026-hug-conference

·      https://www.arcweb.com/blog/schneider-electrics-planned-acquisition-cognite-reinforces-data-foundation-industrial-ai

·      https://www.arcweb.com/blog/industrial-humanoids-new-market-horizon

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review and share it with your network! Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire Industry Newsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Hosts: David Humphrey, Florian Güldner

Plastic recycling plays an important role in reducing waste - but achieving a truly circular economy requires much more than simply recycling materials at the endof their life.

In this episode, Florian Güldner and Luciano Narcisi explore the broader concept of plastic circularity and explain why the journey begins with product design. They discuss how companies can reduce material consumption, extend product lifecycles, improve maintainability and design products that are easier torecycle, creating value across the entire lifecycle.

The conversation examines today's recycling landscape, where mechanical recycling still accounts for the vast majority of recycled plastics, while advanced recycling technologies -including physical recycling and chemical recycling - areattracting increasing investment. Luciano shares insights from his market research, highlighting why advanced recycling is expected to grow rapidly despite representing only a small share of the market today.

The episode also explores the challenges facing owner-operators and technology providers. Whilethe underlying technologies are becoming more mature, securing investment, managing energy consumption and navigating regulatory uncertainty remain significant barriers. Florian and Luciano discuss how automation, openindustrial standards, electrification, energy management systems and digital twins can help improve plant efficiency and support the next generation of recycling facilities.

The key question is no longer whether plastics should be recycled - but how industry can build atruly circular system that combines better product design, advanced recycling technologies and smarter industrial solutions to maximize both environmentaland economic value.

Want to get in touch?

We welcome your topic suggestions, ideas, feedback and criticism. Feel free to leave us a comment on Spotify or write to us at: [email protected].You can also reach us on LinkedIn (@arcweb-europe) orYouTube (@ARCadvisory). Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire Industry Newsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Further readings

We’ve linked relevant ARC reports and resources in the show notes or visit: www.arcweb.com

·  https://www.arcweb-europe.com/

·  ARC Automation Survey

·  https://www.arcweb.com/industry-best-practices/champions-radar-plastic-circularity

·  https://www.arcweb.com/industry-best-practices/takeaways-3dexperience-forum-eurowest-2026-virtual-twin-industrial-ai-real

·  https://www.arcweb.com/industry-best-practices/aveva-world-2026-digital-twin-perspective-strategy-innovations-market

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review and share it with your network! Furthermore,you can subscribe to ARCwire Industry Newsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Chapters

(00:00) Welcome & Introduction

(00:58) AVEVA World – Highlights & Announcements

(05:01) Dassault Systèmes – Virtual Twin & AI Companions

(07:00) Siemens AI Engineering Agent

(09:53) Human-in-the-Loop & Software-Defined Automation

(11:56) Webinar Series: Machine Building

(13:15) Upcoming Webinars – July 2026

(16:37) Plastic Circularity vs. Recycling

(19:37) Advanced Recycling: Processes & Technologies

(24:57) Market Analysis & Challenges

(31:57) Outlook & Closing

Hosts: David Humphrey, Jan Burian

Guests: Florian Güldner, Luciano Narcisi

Produced by: ikone productions

More episodesat:

·      Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/37B9kNLc6MyH3oWQNN0wVL?si=a598076ac6a14b3e)

·      Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/industry-talks-by-arc-advisory-group/id1848323518)

·      Youtube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRvAuS1b455RfGRBtnQI_-ePTItfIfi3F&si=FMMlpaZiZrp1rssE)

Digital twins are increasingly seen as a keyenabler of industrial digitalization - but many initiatives still struggle to scale or deliver their full value. Data silos, fragmented architectures, and limited interoperability often stand in the way.

In this episode, Alexey Grechko and LucianoNarcisi discuss why ARC’s working group has evolved from the Open Digital Twin to the broader Open Digital Ecosystem. The shift reflects a growing recognitionthat openness is about more than the twin itself: it is about creating a connected environment where data, applications, and systems can work together more effectively.

The conversation explores how owner-operatorsare shaping this vision by calling for solutions that are easier to integrate, maintain, and scale. Luciano explains how open standards and common data modelscan help separate data from applications, reduce lock-in, and make digital solutions more reusable across the enterprise.

The episode also looks at developments inEurope, including collaboration with DEXPI, and how standardized engineering data from sources such as P&IDs can support digital twins, AI applications,and long-term lifecycle management. Another important theme is the role of the human in the loop - ensuring that as systems become more connected and intelligent, responsibility and decision-making remain clear.

Key themes in this episode:

·  Why the conversation is shiftingfrom Open Digital Twin to Open Digital Ecosystem

·  How data silos limit the value ofdigital twins

·  Why open standards andinteroperability matter

·  The role of owner-operators indriving openness

·  How DEXPI supports betterengineering data exchange

·  Why digital twins can become afoundation for broader digital solutions

·  The importance of keeping the humanin the loop

·  How openness could improvescalability, maintainability, and long-term value

The key question is no longer whether digitaltwins matter - but whether industry can unlock their full value without a more open and interoperable ecosystem.

Want to get in touch?

We welcome your topic suggestions, ideas,feedback and criticism. Feel free to leave us a comment on Spotify or write tous at: [email protected].

You can also reach us on LinkedIn (@arcweb-europe) orYouTube (@ARCadvisory). Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire IndustryNewsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Further readings

We’ve linked relevant ARC reports and resourcesin the show notes or visit: www.arcweb.com

·  https://www.arcweb-europe.com/

·  ARC Automation Survey

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a reviewand share it with your network! Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire Industry Newsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Chapters:

(00:00) Welcome to Industry Talks

(00:26 Forum Highlights in Sitges

(02:08) Resilience Theme Explained

(03:07) Black Swans and Protection

(04:21) Global Sponsors Spotlight

(04:59) Siemens Lighthouse Factory

(06:03) COPA-DATA Independent Software

(07:10) Breakouts EdgeCloud and Machinery

(10:25) Digital Twin and AI Takeaways

(12:45) Next Forum Date and Location

(14:38) Deep Dive Open Digital Ecosystem

Hosts: David Humphrey,Florian Güldner

Guests: Alexey Grechko, Luciano Narcisi

Produced by: ikone productions

More episodes at:

·  Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/37B9kNLc6MyH3oWQNN0wVL?si=a598076ac6a14b3e)

·   Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/industry-talks-by-arc-advisory-group/id1848323518)

·   Youtube (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRvAuS1b455RfGRBtnQI_-ePTItfIfi3F&si=FMMlpaZiZrp1rssE)

Open automation is emerging as a major shift in industrial systems - promising greater flexibility, interoperability, and freedom from vendor lock-in.

But with these benefits come new challenges and responsibilities.

In this episode, Alexey and Luciano explore how the decoupling of software and hardware is changing the way automation systems are designed and implemented. Engineers are increasingly adopting IT-style practices such as Industrial DevOps, version control, and modular software development - marking a significant cultural shift in the industry.

The conversation also dives into the implications of multi-vendor architectures, including the question of system responsibility and performance ownership. They discuss howconcepts like unified namespaces can eliminate data silos and enable seamless integration across systems, from control layers to digital twins and beyond. In addition, theepisode covers the evolving landscape of standards and technologies, including the role of organizations driving open automation, the progress of initiatives like OPAF and UAO.org, and enabling technologies such as APL and OPC UA for secure,interoperable communication.

Key themes inthis episode:

·     Why open automation is gaining traction now

·    Decoupling hardware and software in industrial systems

·     The rise of Industrial DevOps and new engineering practices

·     Multi-vendor environments: benefits and challenges

·     Unified namespace as a foundation for data integration

·     The role of standards and industry collaboration

·     Security considerations in open systems

The key question is no longer whether openness will impact automation - but how quickly organizations can adapt to stay competitive in an increasingly open ecosystem.

Want to getin touch?

We welcome your topic suggestions, ideas, feedback and criticism. Feel free to leave us a comment on Spotify or write to us at: [email protected].You can also reach us on LinkedIn (@arcweb-europe) orYouTube (@ARCadvisory).

Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire IndustryNewsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Further readings

We’ve linked relevant ARC reports and resources in the show notes or visit: www.arcweb.com

·  https://www.arcweb-europe.com/

·   ARC Automation Survey

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review and share it with your network!

Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire Industry Newsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Chapters

(00:00) Welcome to Industry Talks

(00:22) Road Trip to Hannover

(01:03) Hannover Fair Highlights

(01:13) Power Is Back

(02:07) Data Availability and Sovereignty

(03:41) Software Defined Automation

(05:50) Data Centers and DC Power

(07:40) Physical AI and 5G Return

(09:53) Whats New in Industrial AI

(14:05) Deep Dive Open Automation

(27:14) Closing Impressions from the Floor

Hosts: David Humphrey, Florian Güldner

Guests: Alexey Grechko, Luciano Narcisi

Produced by: ikone productions

More episodes at:

·    Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/37B9kNLc6MyH3oWQNN0wVL?si=a598076ac6a14b3e)

·    Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/industry-talks-by-arc-advisory-group/id1848323518)

·    Youtube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRvAuS1b455RfGRBtnQI_-ePTItfIfi3F&si=FMMlpaZiZrp1rssE)

Digital twins have long been seen as a key technology for industrial transformation—but many projects struggle to move beyond the initial hype.

In this episode, Alexey and Luciano explore why digital twin adoption slowed despite strong interest across industries such as oil and gas. Industry surveys show that the biggest barriers are the high effort required to implement digital twins and the ongoing challenge of maintaining them over time.

They discuss how technologies like reality capture and AI-powered equipment recognition can accelerate the creation of digital models—especially in brownfield plants where documentation is often incomplete. The conversationalso explores knowledge graphs and the growing importance of open standards and interoperable data for scalable digital twin architectures.

Key themes in this episode:

• Why digital twin market growth slowed despite strong interest
• Implementation and long-term maintenance challenges
• Reality capture and AI for faster digital twin creation
• Knowledge graphs for understanding complex industrial systems
• The role of open standards and data interoperability

The key question is no longer whether digital twins matter—but how organizations can build them in a way that is scalable, open and sustainable.

Want to get in touch?

We welcome your topic suggestions, ideas, feedback and criticism. Feel free to leave us a comment on Spotify or write to us at: [email protected].You can also reach us on LinkedIn (@arcweb-europe) orYouTube (@ARCadvisory). Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire Industry Newsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Further readings:

We’ve linked relevant ARC reports and resources in the show notes or visit: www.arcweb.com

·   https://www.arcweb-europe.com/

·   ARC Automation Survey

·   https://www.arcweb.com/blog/ge-vernova-finalizes-600-million-sale-proficy-software-business-tpg

·   https://www.arcweb.com/blog/dual-scenario-prediction-us-iran-conflict-impact-differences-global-manufacturing-between-7

·   https://www.arcweb.com/blog/octave

·   https://www.woodmac.com/reports/upstream-oil-and-gas-global-oil-cost-curves-and-pre-fid-breakevens-updated-h2-2018-211878/

Enjoyed the episode?

Subscribe, leave a review and share it with your network! Furthermore, you can subscribe to ARCwire Industry Newsletter at: https://www.arcweb.com/about/newsletters

Chapters:

(00:00) Welcome to Industry Talks

(00:45) Top Articles and Trends

(01:29) GE Vernova Prophecy Update

(02:20) Prophecy Portfolio and Outlook

(03:19) Iran War Market Impacts

(05:42) Resilience Electrification and Shipping

(07:26) Hexagon Octave Spinoff

(08:21) Event Roundup Edge AI and 5G

(12:10) Data Centers as Next Growth

(15:46) Sentiment Index and Next Segments

(16:27) Digital Twins Deep Dive and Closing

Hosts: David Humphrey, Florian Güldner

Guests: Alexey Grechko, Luciano Narcisi, Michel Teughels

Produced by: ikone productions

More episodes at:

·   Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/37B9kNLc6MyH3oWQNN0wVL?si=a598076ac6a14b3e)

·   Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/industry-talks-by-arc-advisory-group/id1848323518)

·   Youtube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRvAuS1b455RfGRBtnQI_-ePTItfIfi3F&si=FMMlpaZiZrp1rssE)