A Technology Readiness Assessment Approach for Digital Twin Implementation in Smes

A Technology Readiness Assessment Approach for Digital Twin Implementation in Smes | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article A Technology Readiness Assessment Approach for Digital Twin Implementation in Smes Stefano Larmelina, ALESSANDRO LUCAS DA SILVA, Lucas RIsso This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6839498/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 03 Sep, 2025 Read the published version in The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology → Version 1 posted 5 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face persistent challenges in adopting digital twin (DT) technologies due to limited resources and low digital maturity. In this research, the SME Smart Technology Readiness Assessment (SSTRA) method is adapted specifically for DT implementation and suggest a hierarchical taxonomy of three fundamental dimensions: Real-time monitoring, predictive simulation and analytics, and system integration. The research contribution lies in extending SSTRA with DT-specific criteria, such as predictive modeling and data interoperability, generally absent in general readiness models. In order to rank the most important factors for DT readiness, evaluation weights were computed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), using the inputs from 35 academic and industry experts in the field. The framework was validated through expert-led workshops and comparative benchmarking of 18 enabling technologies, scored against established best practices. A Brazilian textile SME case study had a readiness index of R = 1.06, which categorized it as a "Beginner" level. Strengths were found in data visualization and key gaps were identified in simulation capability and interoperability infrastructure. The model assisted in decision-making for infrastructure improvement and phased DT roadmap implementation. Unlike more general readiness models, this is an implementable and scalable way forward for SMEs attempting digital transformation within constrained circumstances Digital Twin SME readiness Industry 4.0 AHP technology benchmarking SSTRA adaptation Full Text Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 03 Sep, 2025 Read the published version in The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Minor Revisions Needed 26 Jul, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 10 Jun, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 10 Jun, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 10 Jun, 2025 First submitted to journal 06 Jun, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6839498","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":469223606,"identity":"cdd8d2df-c375-4968-8587-528a79ba2bff","order_by":0,"name":"Stefano Larmelina","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA+klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDAC9uYDBh8q2OQYDoC5EmCSGa8WnmMJhTPO8BmToEUix+Azb5tcYsMBJEG8WuQbEgw38LaZpfcdP/yAmXeHhTz/tLMHmAv34NZicOBAsoHEubTcmWfSDJh5z0gYzridl8A84xkeLYwNxwwMyo7lbjiQw8DM2yaRwHA7x4CZ5wBuLfLNjO0/Etj+pxucfwPRIk9IC8MxZqDj2tgSDG5AbTEgpMXgDBuDYcMZNsOZN54ZHJzbJmG4EeiXwzPwOWz++w/GfyrY5PnOJz988LatTl7udu7BxwX4HIYMoOp4YAziAQ+pGkbBKBgFo2CYAwBVBlYsbJOrpwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Universidade Estadual de Campinas","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Stefano","middleName":"","lastName":"Larmelina","suffix":""},{"id":469223607,"identity":"3bde1a04-24f0-4272-961c-36b2ead22f65","order_by":1,"name":"ALESSANDRO LUCAS DA SILVA","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"ALESSANDRO","middleName":"LUCAS DA","lastName":"SILVA","suffix":""},{"id":469223608,"identity":"f2b0d5b1-a55a-49f8-b426-1a612c3d9611","order_by":2,"name":"Lucas RIsso","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Lucas","middleName":"","lastName":"RIsso","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-06-06 20:59:39","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6839498/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6839498/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-025-16370-5","type":"published","date":"2025-09-03T15:57:13+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":90828046,"identity":"b58558ce-d416-4263-b0a2-b3e842af885d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-08 16:05:21","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":871534,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"JAMTSubmission.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6839498/v1_covered_d06edba1-edaf-4278-a1a8-f5994db5a67b.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eA Technology Readiness Assessment Approach for Digital Twin Implementation in Smes\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"the-international-journal-of-advanced-manufacturing-technology","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"jamt","sideBox":"Learn more about [The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology](https://www.springer.com/journal/170)","snPcode":"170","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/170/3","title":"The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Digital Twin, SME readiness, Industry 4.0, AHP, technology benchmarking, SSTRA adaptation","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6839498/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6839498/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face persistent challenges in adopting digital twin (DT) technologies due to limited resources and low digital maturity. In this research, the SME Smart Technology Readiness Assessment (SSTRA) method is adapted specifically for DT implementation and suggest a hierarchical taxonomy of three fundamental dimensions: Real-time monitoring, predictive simulation and analytics, and system integration. The research contribution lies in extending SSTRA with DT-specific criteria, such as predictive modeling and data interoperability, generally absent in general readiness models. In order to rank the most important factors for DT readiness, evaluation weights were computed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), using the inputs from 35 academic and industry experts in the field. The framework was validated through expert-led workshops and comparative benchmarking of 18 enabling technologies, scored against established best practices. A Brazilian textile SME case study had a readiness index of R = 1.06, which categorized it as a \"Beginner\" level. 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