Month: December 2023

Time flies: a year of DATAMITE as seen from every WP

DATAMITE is a project that embodies the values of teamwork and diversity, with a team characterised by multidisciplinarity, complementarity of knowledge and objectives, and an excellent track record in research and development projects. To achieve DATAMITE's ultimate goal of delivering a modular, open source, multi-domain framework to improve data monetising, interoperability, trading and exchange, the different partners of the consortium are organised under Work Packages (WP), forming a total of 7.

In this article the leaders of each Work Package review the first year of DATAMITE (2023) and what they hope to achieve in the next year (2024), within their area of work and objectives.

WP1: Datamite Design, development and preparation

During the first year of the project the work of WP1 focused on preparing and successfully submitting two deliverables. D1.1 Roadmap and Pilots Definition contains contributions regarding  the project roadmap, pilots design, KPI and data quality metrics  definition, state of the art analysis and integration roadmap of ICT-13 building blocks. D1.2 Requirements and Architecture describes the project requirements collection and analysis, and the design of the DATAMITE framework and modular architecture. Those two deliverable contain contributions gathered in all WP1 tasks: three of them (T1.1, T1.2 and T1.4) are already completed, while the other two (T1.3 and T1.5) are frozen until the next WP1 deliverable (D1.3) will be due in M20.

In 2024, WP1 will focus on the remaining open tasks: validating and updating the requirements of the project, and updating the architecture according to the work done in technical work packages. Those contributions will be gathered in D1.3 Requirements and Architecture, which will be an update of D1.2.

WP2: Data Sharing Mechanisms and data sovereignty

In the past year, WP2 has been dedicated to conducting research on DATAMITE data sharing mechanisms and data sovereignty aspects. In more detail, we explored initiatives from IDSA & GAIA-X components and established communication channels with potential data destinations such as DATA CELLAR, AIoD, and EOSC. These efforts aimed to gather insights into data sharing and data sovereignty, encompassing aspects like data and metadata management, and access control policies. As a result, we have formulated the initial design approach for both data sharing and data sovereignty mechanisms.

Looking ahead to the upcoming year, our focus will shift toward developing data sharing mechanisms and data sovereignty tools, integrating them with a variety of data destinations.

WP3: Data governance, quality, security and support modules

Work Package 3 has played a pivotal role during its initial year, focusing on delivering to the DATAMITE modules for Data Governance, Quality, Security, and Support tools. Throughout this pre-eminently technical package, our efforts have centered on contributing to the framework architecture aligning with stakeholder requirements, designing key components, and evaluating existing ones for integration. Simultaneously, progress has been made in developing user interfaces. A noteworthy accomplishment within this work package is the delivery of a comprehensive analysis, presented in D3.1, shedding light on the intricate process of constructing a data product. From the ingestion of raw data to the addition of informative metadata, quality enhancement, and policy integration for third-party use, our approach also considers the profound impact of GDPR on handling personal data.

WP4: Beyond sharing A business and quality approach to Foster the European Data Economy

In the past year, Work Package 4 (WP4) has been instrumental in integrating the business model perspective into platform development. The focus was primarily on examining the legal aspects of data sharing, and initial strategies for data monetization were formulated. The understanding of the business model and the importance of considering customer interests are continuously being woven into the project's core. Moreover, we have begun exploring the initial benefits of data monetization that extend beyond mere economic value. 

Looking ahead to the upcoming project year in 2024, our efforts will be expanded to provide companies with a comprehensive guide for selecting their data monetization strategies. Moreover will we pursue the development of mechanisms for quantifying the value of data and a maturity model for competency development in implementing data monetization strategies. The aim is to offer a structured approach that not only maximises economic returns but also considers broader benefits arising from data utilisation.

WP5: Integration, Demonstration and Validation

During the first year, six use case demonstrators have been developed on top of the DATAMITE framework within the WP5, validating it and proving its usefulness in real life/realistic scenarios. During the first period the use cases have been elaborated in more details, providing also requirements for the DATAMITE architecture. Detailed architecture for each use case has been defined, using the DATAMITE architecture as the base for defining the use case specific building blocks and flows. As part of the initial steps the pilot input datasets have been defined and validated.

Early 2024, WP5 will start setting up and maintaining the continuous integration tools and processes that will support and guide the integration and release of the DATAMITE framework. In 2024 pilots will start development of pilot-specific connectors/modules needed to deploy the DATAMITE Framework. 

WP6: Outreach, Exploitation and Collaboration

Looking back on the past year, Work Package 6 has been a pivotal force in our project's success. It spearheaded communication and dissemination efforts, creating impactful outreach materials and supporting participation in key international events like Data Week 2023, EGI –Enabling Grids for E-Science- Conference, the European Big Data Value Forum or EclipseCon, and important national events such as Women in Tech Summit, ITM Industry Europe or the National Field Days. In addition, WP6 has been in charge of the design, development and daily maintenance of DATAMITE's social media, a fundamental tool to create a community around the project and to make its progress known to a wide audience beyond the Consortium partners. One of the most outstanding actions is the campaign "meet the people behind DATAMITE", which combines articles on the website, interviews uploaded to YouTube and a campaign on Linkedin and Twitter to get to know the professionals working on the project in a closer way.

WP6 implemented an effective Impact Master Plan, organising an internal workshop to define the exploitable results as well Preparation of standardisation research which will lead to proactive involvement in relevant standardisation committees and ongoing projects. Collaborating with the Data Spaces Support Center, we conducted regular meetings and actively engaged in all three thematic areas. These discussions helped identify needs for the Data Spaces Connector's development, addressing technical challenges collaboratively. In the ecosystem development sphere, we successfully introduced a GitHub repository for our project, fostering transparency and collaboration within our community. These activities have strengthened our project's standing, propelling us toward excellence. 

Looking ahead to 2024, WP6 is committed to deepening our involvement in ecosystem development and community engagement and outreach activities. The successes of the past year and the connections forged through events and campaigns fuel our anticipation for continued growth, collaboration, and innovation. Here's to a year of achievements and the promising endeavours that lie ahead!

WP7: Project Management

The main goal of project management (WP7) during the first year was to provide a focused, lean, but effective framework to support the partnership in achieving the project's scientific, technical and business objectives. WP7 has established the project governance structure appropriate for the project to run successfully. A set of collaborative tools, e.g, SharePoint server and mailing lists, among others, have been implemented to effectively collaborate in a large project like DATAMITE with 25 organisations. Furthermore, reporting procedures, including  the Deliverable 7.1 Project Management, Risk and Quality Handbook, have been established to ensure everything is consistent with what was expected in the Grant Agreement. Quality Management has also been considered to meet high expectations, and risks are continuously identified and monitored to apply countermeasures as soon as they are realised. Lastly, the project keeps up to date with a data management and protection plan that all partners follow.

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Meet the people behind DATAMITE: Vasso Apostolopoulou (OTE)

DATAMITE is an ambitious project with a consortium of 26 organisations from 11 countries, but beyond the numbers are the people. With the series "Meet the people behind DATAMITE" we want to introduce the people who work every day to achieve our ambitious goal: to deliver a modular, open-source and multi-domain Framework to improve data monetising, interoperability, trading and exchange in the form of software modules, training and business materials for European companies, empowering them to become new relevant players in the data economy.

Today we present Vasso Apostolopoulou from OTE Group of Companies. She describes herself as “a dedicated professional with a strong commitment to personal growth and continuous learning, particularly in the fields of business administration and data analytics”. As an Innovation Engineer at OTE, her role involves evaluating and testing emerging technologies to align them with OTE's business needs. “Within the IT Innovation Center, we collaborate with various departments, prioritize innovation, and lead projects to integrate new solutions, driving positive change”.

As part of the DATAMITE Consortium, Vasso aims to expand her knowledge “at the intersection of data and monetization, while actively participating in the evolving data-driven era”. When asked about her motivations as a professional, she is clear: “What truly inspires me is the opportunity to contribute to my field by constantly seeking ways to add value through improvement and innovation”. A philosophy that we fully share at DATAMITE as a project.

Watch the full interview with Vasso Apostolopoulou below.

If you want to always stay updated about our project, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn!

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