I first heard the term ‘digital twin’ in 2019, in connection with a high performance computing company I was associated with that was running a project for Boeing.

The aerospace giant, at the time, was considering building a filthy fat production line that would dwarf all that came before it, but didn’t want to spend billions building a process that would need tweaking and/or radical redesign once it was up and running, when inefficiencies would likely begin to show themselves.

What they wanted instead was to use existing operations to send down monumental levels of data that could be used to create an online version of the best plant possible, that could be altered repeatedly, at no cost, by shifting a few pixels, until it was perfect.

THAT’S WHAT A DIGITAL TWIN IS.

Imagine your existing plant is sending you petabytes of data all day – everything from workflow to productivity to temperatures coming off the machines, power draw, ground covered, manpower allocation, bottlenecks, repetition, processes, logistical problems, quality assurance, and all the while you’re using that data to build your digital dream home.

Digital twinning is increasingly vital to big industry, where a single mistake in process design can mean real money, time, and delays during corrective action, if that corrective action is even possible.

But to perform a real digital twin project requires the ability to shepherd massive amounts of real time data through heavy bandwidth, and present it in a manner that makes sense to the end user.

TL/DR; it’s the metaverse, only in a form that’s actually useful.

Edge Total Intelligence (CRTL.V): Pioneering Digital Twin Solutions for Real-Time Operations

Edge Total Intelligence Inc. (edgeTI) is at the forefront of digital transformation with its groundbreaking digital twin technology, edgeCore. Designed to unite data from various sources into a single, immersive interface, edgeCore empowers government and commercial clients with real-time operational insights. In a world increasingly reliant on integrated data to optimize decision-making, edgeTI is not only innovating but also expanding rapidly. With recent contract wins and funding, the company has secured a solid foundation for future growth, aiming to revolutionize situational awareness and enhance operational agility.

Don’t take my word for it: Since June of this year, the company has run from $0.30 to $0.90, so there are people out there liking what they see.

A SaaS model with 90% margin will do that to an investor.

What They Do

EdgeTI’s core offering, the edgeCore platform, leverages digital twin technology to provide clients with a centralized view of operations. edgeCore’s power lies in transforming complex data into actionable insights, creating what edgeTI calls “situational awareness” — an up-to-date, comprehensive view of operations. As Jim Barrett, CEO of EdgeTI, explains, “Our technology enables clients to bridge fragmented data systems and take real-time action across diverse operational domains.”

TL.DR; The turn masses of monster data into an easy to see dashboard where changes can be made virtually, without having to move a heavy machine that goes ding.

The platform is built with low-code and composable capabilities, allowing clients to customize its functions and adapt it to specific use cases with minimal coding. By allowing these clients to break down data silos, edgeCore enhances decision-making and operational agility, especially in high-stakes environments like national defense and veteran healthcare.

What They’ve Done

In the past year, edgeTI has achieved several significant milestones, positioning itself as a leader in digital twin applications:

1. High-Profile Contracts: EdgeTI secured a $5 million contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where edgeCore plays a crucial role in improving the VA’s pharmacy operations. With edgeCore, the VA now has enhanced visibility into the consolidated mail outpatient pharmacy (CMOP) system, which fulfills over 150 million prescriptions annually. This contract is expected to serve as a strong foothold within the VA for further expansion in the healthcare sector.
2. Department of Defense Engagement: EdgeTI’s partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD) marks a significant stride in digital twin deployment for national security. The DoD leverages edgeCore to manage and monitor operational energy in real-time, particularly in areas where logistics and supply lines are critical to mission success. “Our forces face sophisticated threats targeting supply chains and assets,” Barrett explains. “To counter these, we need real-time situational awareness for logistics like fuel and power.” This contract with the DoD aims to create the world’s most extensive and sophisticated digital twin, providing unparalleled insight into logistics challenges.
3. Industry Recognition: CEO Jim Barrett’s selection to the Forbes Technology Council highlights edgeTI’s influence in the tech landscape. His participation is not only an honor but also a platform for edgeTI to showcase its capabilities in digital twins. Additionally, Gartner, a top technology analyst firm, has mentioned edgeTI in over 20 research pieces on digital twins, further elevating the company’s profile among technology decision-makers worldwide.
4. Funding and Financial Growth: To fuel its expansion, edgeTI raised $4.25 million through a fully subscribed, non-brokered private placement in September 2024. This marks the company’s first financing since going public in early 2022, bolstering its capital reserves for future projects and growth initiatives.
5. Strategic Acquisitions: In a move to diversify and strengthen its technological foundation, edgeTI recently acquired blockchain ecosystem assets. While not directly related to digital twins, these assets provide new avenues for secure data sharing and potentially add value to edgeCore’s offerings. TBH, when I hear blockchain mentioned, I still get PTSD, so I’m not even giddy about this, just casually mentioning it.

What They’re Doing Next

As EdgeTI looks toward 2025, the company has outlined a clear plan to drive revenue and expand its reach in both federal and commercial markets:

1. Expanding Commercial Channels: EdgeTI is committed to broadening its commercial customer base. The company is in the process of selecting specialist partners to enhance its business development, focusing on sectors where digital twins can drive efficiencies and cost savings. This expansion, as Barrett notes, “will provide known paths and outcomes for our teams” as they aim to replicate their federal success in the private sector.
2. Strengthening Federal Marketing and Advisory Programs: Building on its recent federal wins, edgeTI plans to bolster its federal advisory programs, engaging more deeply with defense and governmental agencies. Expanding these relationships not only provides new revenue opportunities but also reinforces edgeTI’s position as a trusted technology partner.
3. Industry Advisory Council: By year-end, edgeTI intends to establish an Industry Advisory Council, bringing together thought leaders and experts to guide the company’s growth. This council will focus on opportunities in both the federal and commercial markets, leveraging existing relationships and identifying high-value prospects.
4. Debt Restructuring for Financial Flexibility: In a prudent financial move, edgeTI is restructuring its debt to extend maturity dates and reduce cash flow constraints. This will allow the company to invest in growth without being hampered by short-term financial obligations, an essential step for companies scaling at edgeTI’s pace.
5. Market Leadership and Awareness: Jim Barrett’s role on the Forbes Technology Council and edgeTI’s continued engagements with technology analysts like Gartner and Forrester aim to solidify the company’s thought leadership in digital twins. Additionally, edgeTI is set to launch a dedicated investor relations website to streamline communication with stakeholders and enhance transparency, which is a help.

Why Invest in EdgeTI?

Come on, man, I’m not your dad. Invest in it or don’t, but it’s worth noting the company is on a solid upward swing share price-wise, and still sitting at a mere $42 million market cap, despite a massive DoD project that, when completed, will position the company as a trusted government and military vendor. As EdgeTI moves forward, its dual focus on federal and commercial markets, combined with prudent financial management and strategic growth initiatives, positions it well going forward.

But it will need to show it’s work. Investors are skittish in tech sectors, especially when they don’t have comparables to point to.

Barrett encapsulates the company’s momentum plans when he says, “2025 is all about smart expansion and growth… leveraging our platform and partnerships to open high-value opportunities in federal and commercial markets.” That, to me, says the company is looking to show, rather than tell, and that ongoing legitimacy demonstration will see more stock than my interest ever could.

— Chris Parry

FULL DISCLOSURE: No commercial interest, no position, just a solidly interesting deal earning cred quickly while the stock runs.