Publications

Interoperability in manufacturing is often misunderstood—not because companies doubt its importance, but because it's difficult to visualize what success looks like. This blog uses simple analogies to explain the core challenges: outdated machines that can’t “speak” to modern systems, and people hesitant to share data without context or trust. With solutions like Asset Administration Shells and Data Spaces, manufacturers can unlock hidden value, foster secure collaboration, and take real steps toward digital transformation.

Manufacturing is undergoing a digital revolution, yet many transformation initiatives stall due to a fundamental problem: data trapped in silos. The real roadblock isn't AI or lack of tools, but interoperability—the ability of systems, teams, and companies to understand and trust each other's data. This article explores why traditional approaches fail and introduces Manufacturing Data Spaces as the missing foundation. Data Spaces provide a secure, sovereign framework for controlled data sharing across plants and partners—without giving up ownership. From energy efficiency to predictive maintenance and compliance reporting, real-world examples show how manufacturers can unlock value while preserving control. We explore the layers of interoperability, human concerns, key enabling technologies like AAS and OPC UA, and how to get started with pilots that deliver real ROI. For manufacturers, building trust-based data collaboration isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a strategic move that defines future competitiveness in an increasingly connected industry.

T-Systems joins global partners to launch cutting-edge dataspace prototypes using Eclipse Foundation and Gaia-X open-source software. Our sandbox, T-Systems Living Lab, deployed on Open Telekom Cloud, allows industries to innovate securely while upholding European values. Unleash cross-organizational digital twins for groundbreaking applications like carbon footprint tracking. Discover more in our new publication!

Our thinking on data issues of management importance in refereed publications that go deeper than our short stories. Dataspace solves today's data and data analytics productivity problem. Dataspace .,, is a shift from Big Data (high cost) to Better Data (higher returns) - providing the right data with relevant information content and quality (think: food labels for ingredients and nutritional value), and all in the right quantity is peer-to-peer data communications network - not storage - and with data sovereignty protection so that you can exchange data and maintain control of the rights to your data at all times

Automotive is evolving and merging into a larger mobility sector due to climate regulation on the one hand, and new digital capabilities with software (see SW-defined car) and data as its fuel (see dataspace) on the other hand.

Most companies have already relentlessly improved quality internally. Yet beyond company boundaries it is often another story. In the past, going beyond internal policies, computer systems and data networks was simply too complicated. Now, change is bound to happen. Looking at the value chain of glass refinement you see many different stakeholders, all with the same goal: supply goods of the highest quality – with the lowest possible reject rate. The temperature of the raw material plays a big role for quality. Therefore, one would want to integrate the data along the entire value chain in order to identify possible sources of errors and reduce reject rates.

This is not a story about superstars or the world’s leading automaker. Instead it is a story about a medium-sized company; a story about a German medium-sized company, the type that collectively forms the backbone of the German economy, the 4th largest of the world. Furthermore, the story is not about building a rocket to Mars or inventing hyperloop transportation. Instead it is about improving an existing production system. Yet, how it’s done and what has been accomplished is not at all boring or ordinary. It is a story how a group of six new hires at Telekom went to this medium-sized company and improved a real-world production system using standard Telekom IoT components or building blocks in 100 days – on the side. If they can do it …

Virtually every company, regardless of its target market, aims to leverage competitive advantages, cut costs and optimize processes. In this sense, companies with the ability to analyze, interpret and use data through integration into their process chains would have an immanent growth lever in their hands.

Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, cloud computing: The automation and networking of all living and working areas are establishing new business models in all sectors and are changing corporate structures. The basis for this interplay of services is the exchange of data.