Future-proof decision-making: Synthetic data and digital twins

In today’s fast-paced, high-stakes business environment, making the wrong choice can have disastrous consequences, and depending solely on intuition or insufficient information is no longer an adequate option. As a result, more progressive companies are using Digital Twins and Synthetic Data, a potent new combination. Together, they are subtly changing how companies test concepts, prepare for unforeseen events, and make safer—not to say smarter—decisions.
Imagine this: A virtual, fully interactive model of your financial model, logistics network, or factory floor. It can be put through a stress test. Shatter it. Rebuild it. All without having to risk a dime. A digital twin, which is a living, learning model of your actual operations, enables that.

But even the most advanced digital copy is only as good as the information it is based on. And that’s where Synthetic Data comes in—not just as a workaround, but as a breakthrough.

Synthetic Data: Real Insight
Synthetic data isn’t pulled from the real world—it’s generated to behave like it. That means you get all the useful patterns of real data, without the risk of exposing actual customers, patients, or transactions.

For businesses working with sensitive data, inconsistent records, or trying to plan for the unknown, synthetic data offers something powerful: the freedom to test, learn, and prepare—safely.

With it, you can:
• Simulate situations your current data hasn’t covered
• Keep sensitive information protected by default
• Train AI models faster, with less risk and red tape

Paired with Digital Twins, synthetic data lets you push boundaries without breaking anything. Want to see what happens if demand spikes, a key supplier disappears, or a new policy rolls out? You don’t need to guess. You can test it—before it matters.

Where It’s Already Making a Difference

1. Manufacturing & Industry: Predicting system failures before they happen. From predictive maintenance to energy optimisation, manufacturers are building Digital Twins of their plants and equipment. Synthetic data helps simulate system changes and failure scenarios that haven’t occurred yet—enabling smarter decision-making without interrupting operations.
2. FMCG & Retail: Retailers and consumer goods brands are using Digital Twins to stay ahead of constant change—whether it’s managing stock levels, predicting seasonal spikes, or understanding how a promotion might play out. With synthetic data in the mix, they can model supply chain disruptions or sudden demand shifts before they happen—so they’re never caught off guard.
3. Healthcare & Life Sciences: In healthcare, real data is hard to access—and often too sensitive to use freely. Synthetic patient data changes that. Hospitals and researchers can now safely test new treatment pathways, optimise care processes, and simulate clinical trials using Digital Twins, all while protecting privacy and staying compliant.
4. Financial Services: Banks and insurers don’t like surprises—and for good reason. By building digital replicas of their operations and feeding them with synthetic data, they can explore “what ifs” like economic downturns, fraud spikes, or credit risks. The result? Smarter forecasting without exposing any real customer data.
5. Chemicals & High-Risk Industries: When failure means danger, preparation is everything. Companies in chemicals, energy, and heavy industry use Digital Twins to model extreme situations—like equipment malfunctions or chemical leaks. Synthetic data makes it possible to simulate rare but high-impact scenarios, long before they become real.
6. Logistics & Supply Chains: From port closures to weather chaos, logistics teams face constant uncertainty. With synthetic data and Digital Twins, they can pressure-test routes, model global shocks, and make confident choices faster. It’s how supply chains become more resilient—without slowing down.

Why This Is Smarter Thinking, Not Just Smarter Technology

The most effective leaders do more than simply steer clear of danger. They practise for them.

Digital twins and synthetic data can be used to:
• Identify and address weak points before they become expensive errors;
• Stay compliant without stifling innovation; and
• Explore ambitious ideas without real-world repercussions.• Act confidently when others are hesitant.

However, technology by itself won’t get you there.

You will require:
• High-fidelity synthetic data that replicates the peculiarities, anomalies, and edge cases of the real world in order to fully unlock value.
• Professionals who understand how to translate insight into action; integrated systems that seamlessly combine historical, synthetic, and real-time data

How Portera Can Help?
At Portera, we assist forward-thinking companies in transforming synthetic data and digital twins into actual decision-making power. We ensure that your Digital Twin is fuelled with the appropriate synthetic data and constructed to inform the right decisions, whether you’re modelling a global supply chain, healthcare system, or financial network.

When you can lead and simulate, why wait to react?