#85 Software Digital Twins Boosting Reliability Through DevOps

In this episode of Stay Sharp in Digital Engineering, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott continue their Digital Twin series—this time focusing on software digital twins. While hardware digital twins often dominate the conversation, software-based twins are playing an increasingly vital role in modern engineering and manufacturing.Juliann and Jonathan break down what software digital twins actually are (hint: it’s not always straightforward), where they live in the tech ecosystem, and how they power everything from simulation and testing to configuration management and DevOps pipelines. They also explore how these twins are used differently depending on whether software is the product or part of a larger physical system—like a smart refrigerator or a modern aircraft.You’ll learn about:The difference between digital twins for software-only products vs. cyber-physical systemsHow DevOps and Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) tools support digital twin environmentsThe role of emulators and virtual machines in simulating real-world software performanceWhy configuration management is critical to successful digital twin implementationHow industries like aerospace and automotive use software digital twins for reliability and safetyKey Quote: "Software digital twins may not always be visible—but they're absolutely vital when lives, safety, and product performance are on the line."💡 Want to join the conversation or request a follow-up episode? Email us at [email protected] or leave a comment wherever you listen.Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks.Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.© 2026 Razorleaf Corp. All Rights Reserved.