Apollo3D urges firms to use digital twins as costs rise

Apollo3D is urging businesses to adopt digital twin technology as travel and energy costs rise. The Yorkshire company says demand for remote site access is growing as fuel prices increase.

Apollo3D creates digital replicas of physical spaces for sectors including property, hospitality, manufacturing and retail. It says businesses are reassessing whether staff and stakeholders need to visit sites in person, arguing that virtual access can reduce the need for inspections, walkthroughs and planning visits as travel budgets come under pressure.

The warning comes as higher oil prices and disruption to global mobility add to cost pressures across British industry. Sectors that rely on regular site visits, including facilities management, venue operations, event planning and property development, face rising costs for journeys once considered routine.

Organisations are shifting away from travel-led processes towards digital engagement as they try to shield operations from further volatility in fuel and energy markets. Apollo3D argues the change is no longer driven by convenience, but by the need to manage estates, projects and assets with less reliance on physical travel.

Its digital twin model creates what it describes as a 1:1 digital replica of a site, allowing users to carry out remote walkthroughs, inspections and collaborative planning. The approach is aimed at businesses that need to review factories, warehouses, hotels, stadiums and other large sites without sending teams to the location.

In the property market, investors and stakeholders are seeking more detailed information before committing to visits, according to Apollo3D. Multi-site operators and facilities teams are also looking for ways to oversee portfolios without repeated travel between locations.

Mark Shepherd, Founder and Director of Apollo3D, said pressure on travel costs is forcing companies to challenge old habits. “Travel has always been built into how many businesses operate, but rising costs are forcing a rethink. Every journey is now being questioned: do we need to be there in person, or can this be done another way?”

“Virtual tours offer a practical solution. They allow people to experience a space in detail, share it with colleagues and make decisions faster. In many cases, they remove the need for a second, or even a first, visit. That is where the value lies when costs are under pressure.”

Digital twins were once used largely as a marketing tool, particularly in property and hospitality, but are now being considered more widely as part of day-to-day operations, Apollo3D said. The shift reflects a broader effort by businesses to cut discretionary travel while maintaining oversight of sites and projects.

Remote access tools gained attention in recent years as businesses looked for alternatives to on-site meetings and inspections. Apollo3D says current market conditions are driving another phase of adoption, this time tied more directly to cost control and continuity rather than temporary travel restrictions.

Shepherd said businesses exposed to volatile energy and fuel prices could face slower decision-making if they remain dependent on in-person visits. “When movement becomes more expensive and less predictable, access becomes the priority. Digital twins provide that access instantly. They reduce disruption, lower costs and keep projects moving when travel becomes a barrier. Business analysis shows digital engagement increases when travel becomes restricted or costly. The same conditions are now firmly in place as a result of the Middle East conflict.”

“For businesses facing continued volatility in fuel and energy markets, the message is clear. Those dependent on physical visits risk slower decisions and higher costs, while those investing in digital access are better placed to maintain efficiency and resilience.”