Ready to Support?

We live in a world that produces role-specific data models and where success is based on being efficiently able to embrace the rich diversity of standards. The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) has previously undertaken work to answer a single critical question: Is there a durable way in which we can design and build an open-source technical framework for peer-to-peer content integration for value chain partners, in full support of current and future industry and open standards?

In investigating this question, it was found that, in most cases, there remains data which does not fit the model. The CGF has been asked to find a more general way to share information such that partners can choose when and where to apply standards, adapting dynamically to changing needs.

Showcase Highlights

The key highlights of DataPorts include:

  • – Specialised web servers which make peer-to-peer content integration transparent. No matter where data sources actually reside, DataPorts make data sources accessible together, through a single, common programming model.
    – Neutralised differences in location, programming interfaces and formats, to allow content integration to be automated efficiently.
    – Automation, which glues together event-driven processes and micro-services into intelligent value networks. 
  • – The use of GraphQL as the engine for data virtualisation to enable us to quickly build working DataPorts using well supported, off-the-shelf open source libraries.

Why It’s Important

Dynamic diversity will always outperform static unification.Dataports-image-2

This refers to the idea of creating a limited data model which fits the needs of communicating only the relevant information needed to support a specific task or tasks. Role-Specific Data Models adapt perfectly into their respective environment and business relationship. DataPorts fulfill the task of connecting the diverse dots and innovative data models that businesses and sectors will create, test, implement, maintain and improve over time.

DataPorts act, therefore, as building blocks. They are data virtualisation servers that share role-specific data schemas and enable Content Integration. They work by virtualising the participant data sources, optimising queries, transforming query results inline, and creating an aggregate query response. 

DataPorts also enable autonomous Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication and process integration that take decisions using AI/ML in real-time; always providing your systems with the freshest data – where and when you need it.

How to Benefit

By signing up to DataPorts, you can be on the road to accessing any data source through a common interface; performing operations on data retrieved from the different sources; and combining the query result components from each source into a single response. To help us, we have chosen GraphQL for simplicity and completeness in terms of expressing queries and in handling abstraction, transformation, and composition.

Getting Started: First Steps
Among various implementation options, we propose to start by using the Azlon implementation developed for the CGF with support from Capgemini and SyncForce.

  1. Get your DataPort ID: https://dataports.io/signUp
  2. Get the open source software: https://github.com/Azlon-io/DataPorts
  3. Start using the example application as described on GitHub
Meet the Team

Ruediger Hagedorn is Director of the End-to-End Value Chain at The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF). Since 2009, he has been responsible for executing collaborative value chain projects, where he manages cross-cultural working groups, scoping technical content and securing on time delivery of consensus-driven results. His network of mixed working groups operates in complex areas of pre-competitive collaboration and cover industry relevant topics that require global scaling. His dynamic portfolio today includes topics like the physical internet, modularisation of packaging, future value networks, internet of things, interoperability of systems, smart contracts and consumer data privacy.

Prior to joining The Consumer Goods Forum, Ruediger gathered experience in start-ups, medium-sized companies as well as multinational enterprises like L’Oréal (personal care) and Roche Diagnostics (biotechnology). He occupied multiple positions, both as vice president and on operational level in consultancy, supply chain management, international business analysis and global standards development.

How You Can Support

Now that you are equipped following our implementation proposal, please contact Rudy Hagedorn, the CGF’s End-to-End Value Chain Director, to receive the list of participating dataport trials. You can also forward the installation support document to your suppliers and customers.

    To Learn More Information, Please Contact:

    Ruediger Hagedorn
    r.hagedorn@theconsumergoodsforum.com
    +49 17 16 93 55 83