In this session, Dandan Wang from Deutsche Telekom presented how T-Systems supports companies on their journey into data ecosystems. With a strong focus on user experience and practical adoption, Wang showed how T-Systems makes data spaces tangible—through managed services, strategic consulting, and real customer projects.
In the push to make data sharing more secure, transparent, and purposeful, many organizations are exploring how to take part in data spaces. But the technical and strategic entry barriers are still high. That’s where T-Systems positions itself: as an end-to-end data space service provider that helps businesses onboard into data ecosystems and keep operations running reliably once inside.
In a recent IDSA Solutions Arena call, Dandan Wang from Deutsche Telekom gave a comprehensive overview of the solutions T-Systems offers to support users throughout their data space journey. Her emphasis was on user experience, industry relevance, and real-life implementation.
Clear use cases, real needs
According to Wang, many companies are still struggling with fundamental questions: How do I technically prepare for initiatives like Catena-X or Manufacturing-X? How can I trace the origin of materials in my supply chain? How do I ensure that my product data is compliant with emerging sustainability regulations? And—perhaps most urgently—how do I feed AI models with the right kind of trustworthy data?
These challenges are not hypothetical. They are current and pressing. Enterprises need solutions that don’t just work in theory but are reliable in practice, ideally with minimal overhead and easy onboarding. For many of them, the data ecosystem still feels complex and unclear.
T-Systems addresses that hesitation by making data space participation as straightforward as possible—by comparison, Wang said, as easy as making a phone call.
Managed services for data spaces
T-Systems offers two key products as managed services:
- Connect & Integrate
- Data Space as a Service
Connect & Integrate enables secure data exchange between organizations. It is available in three tiers—Essential, Premium, and Enterprise. The Essential version provides a ready-to-use, user-friendly interface without the need for complex technical setup. The Premium tier adds pre-configured use cases and the ability to integrate identity wallets and digital twin registries. For customers with advanced requirements, the Enterprise version includes custom automation options and enhanced security features.
The second service, Data Space as a Service, is a controlled environment where companies can connect internal and external data sources, collaborate with partners, and develop or test data-driven applications. Here too, T-Systems provides Essential, Premium, and Enterprise packages. Customers get a compliant environment backed by Gaia-X principles, including digital identity verification and access control. Those using the Premium version can develop and monitor their own applications. The Enterprise version enables customized performance setups and further security enhancements.
What sets these services apart is that they are designed from the user’s perspective. Companies don’t have to manage the infrastructure themselves. Instead, they get a robust, certified environment tailored to their needs and ready for developing applications.
Expert guidance and onboarding support
Technology alone is not enough. T-Systems also provides onboarding and consulting services that cover the full spectrum from strategy to technical integration. Their teams help clients define data ownership, set access policies, align with compliance requirements, and understand typical data space architectures.
For instance, when companies want to implement AI strategies, they often underestimate the preparation needed on the data side. Wang pointed out that no responsible AI can be built without clean, high-quality data. T-Systems helps organizations set up the data foundations needed to make AI not only possible, but sustainable.
Their consultants are certified, experienced, and active in key ecosystems such as Catena-X. For example, many of their team members hold the Catena-X Qualified Advisor certificates, ensuring that clients receive up-to-date, standard-compliant advice.
A track record in data space innovation
T-Systems has been involved in the data space community from the early days. As one of the first IDSA adoption pioneers in 2018, the company has helped shape the IDS Reference Architecture, IDSA Rulebook, and user journeys.
Since then, they have participated in and supported many initiatives—Catena-X, Gaia-X, Mobility Data Space, Copenhagen ESA, and more. They’ve also contributed to several publicly funded research projects like IPCEI-CIS and Project SINCOS, where they explore edge-cloud integration and machine-to-machine data exchange.
In 2025, T-Systems published a white paper in the IDSA Telecommunication Community, co-developed with other members under the coordination of Christoph Mertens. This reference architecture helps telecoms and other stakeholders structure their data space services more effectively, with a focus on clear roles and responsibilities.
For organizations looking to work with data spaces—whether for regulatory compliance, AI integration, or supply chain transparency—T-Systems offers more than just tools. They offer orientation, technical infrastructure, and strategic support. With certified services and deep involvement in real data ecosystems, they provide the kind of reliability and user-friendliness that makes data sharing feel less like a barrier and more like a routine.
Whether your company is just starting or is ready to scale, T-Systems makes sure the data space is no longer an abstract concept—but a working reality.
Want a seat at the table?
Become a Data Spaces User today and get exclusive access to the closed IDSA Solutions Arena Call—where real-world use cases take center stage and hands-on collaboration shapes the future of data sharing.
Become a Data Space User → Data Space User Group – International Data Spaces
Learn more about the Digital Intelligence Hub at https://dih.telekom.com/en
