Data Spaces: The Missing Link in Digital Transformation
In today’s complex industrial landscape, companies struggle with high costs, regulatory pressures and fragile supply chains. Yet, despite the widespread push for digital transformation, many businesses fail to connect the dots between their challenges and the critical role of data.
According to Ralf Schippert, Senior Vice President at CGI, “the key hurdle is that organisations don’t recognise data as the solution, when in fact it is the bridge that turns problems into opportunities.”
This is where data spaces come into play, offering a standardised, scalable way to exchange information across entire industries without compromising data ownership or security.
Rather than drowning in technical jargon, companies need to recognise data spaces for what they truly are: a practical tool for solving real-world problems—not an abstract technology concept. Businesses waste enormous resources managing fragmented data exchanges, making multiple connections with each customer and supplier. A data space simplifies this by providing one universal communication method that integrates seamlessly into existing systems.
The benefits are undeniable:
- Scalability – A single connection allows companies to share data across entire ecosystems.
- Data ownership and control – Businesses retain full control over their data, sharing only what they choose, for as long as they choose.
- Cybersecurity – A decentralised system minimises vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of breaches.
In real-world examples, this could mean tangible benefits for manufacturers when it comes to ESG reporting, complex supply chains or product passports. However, despite these advantages, adoption remains slow.
For manufacturers and suppliers already operating with razor-thin margins, investing in another digital solution might seem like yet another burden. But in reality, data spaces are a catalyst for digitalisation, unlocking efficiencies and cost savings that would otherwise remain out of reach. The real message should be clear: data spaces are not about technology—they’re about survival.
The challenge now is shifting the conversation—moving away from tech-heavy explanations and making it clear why businesses can't afford to ignore this opportunity.
What is Catena-X?
Catena-X is a great example of a data space that has been built around the idea of creating an open, collaborative data ecosystem for the automotive industry. It is redefining how companies share data securely and efficiently without relying on centralised platforms or data lakes. It’s all about standardised, trusted point-to-point data exchange, which makes it efficient and scalable.
With almost 200 organisations already on board, including major manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, Catena-X is rapidly gaining momentum and setting the standard for data ecosystems in the automotive sector and other industries as well.
Catena-X is more than just a data-sharing platform—it's a bold step toward creating a sustainable, collaborative and efficient future for the automotive industry that addresses real-world challenges. These include ensuring smooth and efficient operations in complex global supply chains, complying with strict ESG regulations and creating a connected, efficient ecosystem through seamless data exchange.
“No company can tackle these challenges alone,” explains Ralf. “Industries must collaborate to build resilient systems that benefit everyone – and the benefits are numerous.”
As an early member of the Catena-X association, CGI is one of the main contributors to developing and establishing the first global automotive data ecosystem.
Technologically based on Gaia-X federation services, Catena-X provides a controlled, automated and verified way to exchange data within the entire automotive supply chain.
This represents a distinct transformation of processes in automotive business relations and will allow collaboration across different companies to become the new standard way of working in the industry.
Supporting the industry
Supporting the automotive industry in coming together and integrating and forming data ecosystems was a key starting point for CGI’s relationship with Catena-X.
CGI experts joined product teams to support Catena-X in the engineering and development of solutions such as battery passports and the business partner data management solution.
Over time, CGI’s collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) represented in Catena-X has grown. Now the company is part of various working groups, including one focused on digital product passports.
“The past three years have really been about building the ecosystem, setting the standards and developing the first applications,” says Ralf.
“Now, it’s about supporting different partners, suppliers and even OEMs to onboard and use it, which is a transformation process in itself and requires lots of IT integration within the business and production processes on the company side.”
Transforming automotive processes and business relations
The Catena-X data ecosystem has the potential to transform both automotive processes and business relations.
Ralf highlights that ecosystems like Catena-X have ignited conversations in the automotive industry about the revolutionary “second stream” of the supply chain, i.e., the data accompanying a product, with the product being the first stream.
This data carries relevance for countless use cases, from quality and demand to capacity management and sustainability.
“It can radically transform the automotive business, opening up opportunities and innovations in many areas,” adds Ralf.
CGI’s cross-industry expertise
So, why is CGI uniquely positioned to help Catena-X members benefit from this rich data ecosystem?
Ralf points to CGI’s end-to-end services, beginning with business and strategic IT consulting to help companies understand the benefits before progressing to integration and implementation.
“We’re a cross-industry company,” Ralf emphasises. “Therefore, when looking at supply chain ecosystems, we have a deep understanding of different industries, whether it’s energy, chemicals or banking and how they are interconnected. So, we have really broad industry knowledge we can call upon.”
Then there’s CGI’s international reach—all important given the global nature of modern-day supply chains.
Ralf adds: “Catena-X will only be successful if it’s adopted across the globe and when a high number of suppliers join the network. Having a partner with global reach who is also close to your operations to support you is really important.”
Enhancing transparency and traceability
CGI’s collaboration with Catena-X has led to the development of the Digital Product Passport application, enabling automotive value chain partners to share product life cycle data for enhanced transparency, traceability and sustainability.
Product passports can be accessed simply by scanning a QR code or introducing an ID to retrieve the data from digital twins across the Catena-X network.
“A Digital Product Passport is a tool that can give deep insight into the information behind the product: who delivered the raw material, where it’s coming from and who built the modules,” says Ralf.
“These days — and not just in the automotive industry — you need a Digital Product Passport that says which components have been used to build that product, who are the sub-suppliers and much more. It’s like a blueprint of the product that can be used for different purposes—a key one being to assess the carbon footprint of the product or for traceability in case of part defects.”
Ralf concludes by highlighting the importance of standardisation: “What’s extremely important with Catena-X and the Digital Product Passport is that it’s all about standardisation. In the automotive industry, nothing works without standardisation. Data is now the second stream of the supply chain, and it needs to be standardised too.”
While knowing the way forward can be daunting, the benefits of Catena-X and the Digital Product Passport are endless. CGI can assist you with advisory and onboarding, infrastructure requirements, passport provision, integration, interoperability tests and solution management and maintenance.
Want to learn more about how CGI and Catena-X are transforming the automotive supply chain with a secure, scalable data ecosystem? Visit cgi.com/manufacturing to explore CGI's solutions and see how you can benefit.
Better yet, join CGI in Hannover for its upcoming workshops, where leaders will dive deeper into the power of Catena-X and how it’s driving industry-wide efficiency: www.cgi.com/hannovermesse.
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