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 This blog uses simple analogies to explain the core challenges: outdated machines that can’t “speak” to modern systems, and people hesitant to share data without context or trust.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.

T-Systems and NTT are shaping the future of trusted global data exchange by combining telecom-grade infrastructure with federated identity and dataspace interoperability. Their joint contributions to the IDSA paper and cross-border testbeds between Europe and Japan show how telcos can drive secure, scalable, and regulation-compliant data collaboration across ecosystems. This approach supports real-world use cases like Digital Product Passports, predictive maintenance, and circular economy models—laying the groundwork for a network of sovereign, interoperable digital infrastructures.

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.

Managing company certificates across multiple business partners is complex and error-prone. T-Systems' Connect & Integrate solution simplifies this with a secure, standardized approach to certificate exchange in the Catena-X network. By leveraging a shared semantic model and automated certificate lifecycle management, organizations can drastically reduce operational overhead, improve compliance, and accelerate onboarding—without needing deep technical knowledge. Whether you're a supplier, OEM, or service provider, this is your path to seamless, scalable certificate management in a federated dataspace.

T-Systems simplifies secure, large-scale file exchange in the Catena-X ecosystem by combining OFTP2 and EDC capabilities. With Connect & Integrate, OEMs and suppliers can transfer sensitive data like CAD files or compliance documents reliably and at scale. Our cloud-ready solution ensures smooth onboarding, uninterrupted communication—even behind firewalls—and full compliance with Catena-X and OFTP2 standards. Whether you're upgrading from legacy OFTP2 workflows or starting fresh, we streamline your journey with minimal disruption and maximum interoperability.