What Are Dataspaces?
Industrial Dataspaces Explained
Industrial dataspaces for secure data exchange between companies
What are data spaces in industry? These are standardized environments (dataspaces) in which companies exchange product data, quality information, and sustainability information across organizational boundaries without relinquishing control over their data. Data sovereignty is the guiding principle here: you retain control over access permissions and usage rules.
Examples include Catena-X in the automotive industry and Manufacturing-X in mechanical engineering. The focus is on partner-enabled data exchange within supply chains, not on a file storage space for corporate sales.
Secure Environments for Confidential Data Exchange
An Industrial Dataspace is a standardized environment in which companies and organizations exchange data securely and transparently. Shared rules ensure interoperability, security, and control: they determine who is allowed to view what and when. The decision does not rest with a central platform operator.
Many initiatives are based on principles from Gaia-X and International Data Spaces (IDSA), as well as open technical building blocks. Semantic standards ensure that data can be transferred and interpreted consistently. This enables the implementation of use cases such as traceability, digital product passports, and product carbon footprints.
A dataspace in this sense is a set of rules and technology designed for targeted, controlled data exchange between partners. It is not a central data repository, nor is it a virtual dataspace for due diligence.
How a Dataspace Works
Industrial dataspaces do not require centralized data storage. This architecture enables data sovereignty during ongoing operations—learn how to integrate your systems with it. The principle behind dataspaces can be explained in three steps:
Data Remains With the Data Provider
Your product data, quality documents, or supply chain information do not automatically leave your systems.
A Connector Enforces The
Rules of Use
Every access authorization is subject to policies: Who is allowed to access which data, and for what purpose?
Shared Data,
Logged in a Traceable Manner
The recipient receives only the data that has been shared. No central platform operator has access to it.
Why Industrial Dataspaces Are Important
Companies use Dataspaces because supply chain and regulatory requirements are increasing, and ad hoc bilateral solutions often cannot scale.
Efficiency and Quality
Earlier detection of bottlenecks and quality issues, fewer manual data submissions, and clearer documentation for customers and auditors.
Interoperability Instead of Isolated Interfaces
Open standards replace custom point-to-point connections. Partners can connect without all of them having to use the same software.
The Foundation for New Business Models
When data can be shared in a targeted and secure manner, data-driven services emerge: from Data-as-a-Service to value-added services based on partnerships within the supply chain.
Data Sovereignty and Control
Data sovereignty means you retain control over your data. Permissions, usage rules, and identities make data sharing transparent and reduce dependence on a central platform.
Compliance and Transparency
Requirements such as supply chain transparency, the Digital Product Passport (DPP), or the Product Carbon Footprint can be addressed through structured, cross-partner data flows. This is a technical preparation and does not replace legal advice.
There Is No Single Dataspace
Industry-specific requirements and standards have given rise to a variety of dataspaces. The key is to determine which one is best suited to your industry, your customers, and your use case. The following overview shows only a selection of the most well-known dataspaces. In addition, new industry-specific initiatives are constantly emerging and gaining traction.
Many industrial dataspace are based on open components and standards, including Eclipse Dataspace Components (EDC), the Asset Administration Shell, and Gaia-X and IDSA principles.
Catena-X
Factory-X
Mobility Data Space
sphin-X
Other Initiatives
Chem-X for the process industry and other industry-specific ecosystems are constantly emerging and becoming established.
Industry Focus:
- Automotive Suppliers & OEMs: Catena-X
- Mechanical Engineering, Smart Factory & Industry 4.0: Factory-X
- Pharmaceutical and Medical Technology Supply Chain: sphin-X
- Mobility & Fleets: Mobility Data Space
Which dataspace is right for your use case depends on your industry, customers, and regulatory requirements.
From Understanding to Integration with Existing Systems
Many companies do not want to operate their own dataspace but instead prefer to join existing ecosystems such as Catena-X, implement use cases, and make their ERP, PLM, or MES systems dataspace-compatible.
As a vendor-neutral dataspace integrator, doubleSlash provides support in the form of consulting and implementation. Setting up or operating a dataspace infrastructure for third parties is not part of its service offering.
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FAQs
What are dataspaces?
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What is the difference between a dataspace and a cloud platform?
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