Mastering the supply chain by a concept of a ditigal control-twin

Purpose: The purpose is to design a new concept for control of the Supply-Chain for the era of industry 4.0 exploiting the huge amount of actual data of material flow objects which are available thru new identification technologies, localization and communication systems and to use appropriate tools for evaluation and analyzing actual data. Methodology: The approach uses the idea of a Digital-Twin Concept for logistics that bases of three pillars: 1) 'reality': actual status of material flow objects 2) 'repository': digital mapping of material flow objects 3) 'regulation' of material flow. The real and virtual material flow objects are permanently compared, deviations are evaluated and harmonized by using the principle of closed-loop-control. Originality: The concept is a very new approach to master material flow for final products and required components. For this a 'Big- Picture' of a Digital Control Twin (DCT) System is designed, which is a necessary complement to the engineering oriented Digital-Twin-Concept to run a smart factory. Findings: The paper shows how the idea of a Digital Twin Concept for engineered products can be transferred into the world of logistics and especially for supply chains. The Digital Control Twin controls, monitors and balances material flow objects according to quantity, location and time and can help to predict and solve problems in advance.