How GAIA-X, IDSA and Catena-X are connected and collaborate to develop one Data Ecosystem Standard

In this blogpost we want to explain the intersection between GAIA-X, IDSA and Catena-X. In a nutshell:

• GAIA-X defines the specifications for the Federation Services, which connect the Infrastructure Ecosystem and Data Ecosystem.

• The IDSA developed a reference architecture model for the Data Ecosystem, that will consist of multiple Data Spaces.

• Catena-X can be seen as one specific Data Space for the automotive industry based on the IDS guidelines.

GAIA-X: Infrastructure Ecosystem and Federation Services

The Infrastructure Ecosystem lays the foundation for the data ecosystem. It includes all computing resources, whether in the cloud, on the edge or on-premise. By enforcing an architecture of standards, portability, interconnectivity and interoperability shall be ensured. The policy rules for the Infrastructure Ecosystem will be defined by GAIA-X. The Federation Services are the core of GAIA-X. Eventually, these Services will connect the Infrastructure Ecosystem with the Data Ecosystem. The specifications for the Federation Services have just been released in March 2021, meaning that compliant services are currently being developed.

IDSA: Data Ecosystem and Data Spaces

The Data Ecosystem is where the International Data Spaces Association comes into play. Before elaborating the contributions of IDSA, let’s get an overview of the architecture: Briefly said, the Data Ecosystem will consist of multiple Data Spaces. Data can be exchanged within or across Data Spaces, which should lead to smarter services and groundbreaking innovation. Since 2016, the International Data Spaces Association has been putting ongoing effort into developing a trusted standard for data sharing, while GAIA-X has been founded in 2019. IDSA contributes their reference architecture model for creating and operating data spaces as well as a standardized and open-sourced IDS connector that will be the central technical component enabling sovereign data exchange. As a member of the IDSA, our Tributech DataSpace Kit supports the IDS reference architecture and aims to be IDS certified once it is possible to receive the certification.

Catena-X: One Data Space for the automotive industry

In order to get a better idea of a Data Space, let’s take a closer look at Catena-X. Catena-X can be seen as one Data Space within the Data Ecosystem. It is an extensible network of automotive manufacturers and suppliers, dealer associations and equipment suppliers. The companies involved want to increase the automotive industry’s competitiveness, improve efficiency and accelerate company processes through standardized data exchange.

How to build your own Data Spaces?

All those initiatives with the objective to establish a standard for one data ecosystem are definitely a step into the right direction to secure the competitiveness of Europe. As Gartner has stated: Organizations that share data externally generate three times more economic benefit than their counterparts. However, such groundbreaking changes don’t happen overnight. In a recent webinar Lars Nagel, CEO of IDS, stated that we will see the first Data Spaces at work within this year (2021). Since 2018 we have built several Data Spaces with our customers and partners, that allow them to qualify, manage and share data as assets. With our expertise and the Tributech Data Space Kit we can help you to create your own Data Space within hours. If this hits a nerve with you, contact us!