Supply chain disruptions and challenges have and will always exist, but preparing in advance and improving resilience for the upcoming consequences should be the utmost important goal. This paper explores trends that affect innovation in the technological sphere of supply chain systems. More precisely, the research is focused on Digital Twin technology applicability through other logistics IT trends and aims to research the pressing issue of ensuring the visibility and resilience of future supply chain systems. The paper’s objective is to produce a conceptual model enabling the investment assessment of the necessary IT resources. Initially, a theoretical confirmation of logistics IT trends’ relevance to supply chain systems was established. After, propositions of Digital Twin technology applications to other logistics IT trends were made, which were divided into corresponding constant multitudes of supply chain systems. Lastly, the conceptual model for the investment assessment of the necessary IT resources was derived in the form of a matrix. It considers 16 parameters for investment assessment and applicability to all companies, regardless of their specifics. It also supports the notion of digital IT competencies’ fundamental importance to the continuous operation of supply chain systems.

The aim of our research was to optimize the existing process approach of the selected small business (SME), due to the desire for long-term effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and market competitiveness. SMEs have several specific characteristics related to their limited size, lower level of diversification, low capital strength, limited market, and higher risk. On the other hand, they are more flexible, as they can adapt quickly to new conditions, have closer contact with customers and are very important for economy employment. Due to inevitable need of business management improvement and performance optimization, a process snapshot was performed to obtain the existing process approach. Based on the snapshot, identification of critical points was perpetuated, which enabled obtaining basic decision-making information. Based on the latter, a critical analysis of necessary furtherance’s was carried out: improvements of specific activities and elimination of redundant or unnecessary activities. For the purpose of real SME environment improvement of performance, we made a proposed problem solution, which represents an improved and optimized process approach for all of the fundamental processes of the company, based on the ISO 9001:2015 standard. Proposed optimized process approach was implemented immediately but gradually. The results were measured based on the overall number of proposed improvements (through the implemented renewed process approach) and the number of improvements that had been implemented by the time this research was conducted. It is estimated that the proposed solution has already been implemented (certain activities completely, others partially) in 62%. Even due to the partial implementation of optimized process approach, the business’s results have improved. This is reflected in increased market demand by 7% due to more efficient, faster order fulfillment and increased income by 3,5%, compared to the previous two years. The latter emphasizes the importance of a process approach implementation, which affects the improvement of productivity and efficiency, increases knowledge sharing amongst employees, enables collaborative workplace, flexibility and agility of the company, easier compliance with regulations, improves customer experience, reduces costs, and enables higher revenues.

Logistics and transport are major sources of energy consumption that still rely heavily on fossil fuels. Especially in the freight sector, finding means to optimise fuel consumption and energy efficiency are increasingly important. Digital twins’ adaptation in logistics and transport is not as frequent as in production, but their implementation potential is immense. This technology can replicate real environments, allowing verification of various scenarios without real-life application, leading to optimal implementation outcome faster and more efficiently. This paper aims to research digital twins’ use in logistics and transport, focusing on digital twins’ potential and effects to optimise energy consumption. Firstly, previous research on digital twins in specified fields was identified, followed by a quantitative literature review. The latter focused on codifying the selected publications based on criteria such as modality, specific environment, energy consumption, etc. Furthermore, a qualitative overview of 57 relevant publications on digital twins’ use in logistics and transport was made. The main contribution of this paper is the systematic overview of digital twins from the viewpoint of energy optimisation in one of the most energy-dependent sectors. This gives researchers a good starting point for further research and digital twins’ practical implementation cases.