Some embodiments are directed to an Internet of Things (“IoT”) associate to facilitate implementation of a digital twin of a twinned physical system. The IoT associate may include a communication port to communicate with at least one component, the at least one component comprising a sensor or an actuator associated with the twinned physical system, and a gateway to exchange information via the IoT. A computer processor and local data storage, coupled to the communication port and gateway, may receive a digital twin model from a data warehouse via the IoT. The computer processor may be programmed to, for at least a selected portion of the twinned physical system, execute the digital twin model in connection with the at least one component and operation of the twinned physical system.