Dear Members of the Association,

We are pleased to invite you to an Online Learning Session on one of the most important strategic and technical developments in the Catena-X ecosystem: the path to scalable, SME-friendly data space participation through the evolution of the EDC into a virtualized, multi-tenant architecture – EDC-V. 

The session will be led by Jim Marino (Chief Architect EDC, Metaform Systems Inc.) and Thomas Obermeyer (Dataspace Lead Architect, Catena-X Automotive Network e.V.) who bring deep expertise in EDC architecture and SME data space integration.

This session is designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of where we come from, where we are heading, and how the broader ecosystem can benefit. 

📅 Date: 25 March, 2026
🕒 Time: 5.00 - 6.00 p.m. CET
💻 Format: Online Webinar
📝 Registration: Required - Sign Up Now

📚 Background 

Scaling sovereign data exchange beyond large enterprises to include Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the supply chain is one of the most relevant ambitions in Catena-X and the wider Manufacturing-X landscape. To address this, the EDC technology is being advanced from a single-instance deployment model towards a virtualized, multi-tenant architecture (EDC-V), complemented by an expansion of the solution provider ecosystem. 

This initiative has its roots in the European Cloud Accelerator (ECA) Program and has since matured into a technical foundation for scaling strategy for all Data Space initiatives. 

🎓 What You Will Learn 

• Origins & evolution – the journey from the ECA Program to today's scaling initiative 
• EDC-V explained – the technical enhancements enabling virtualized, multi-tenant EDC deployments 
• Upstream EDC & Tractus-X EDC – understanding the relationship between both projects and their respective roles in the technology stack 
• Roadmap overview – planned milestones and upcoming developments 
• Relevance for SMEs – how this approach lowers the barrier for smaller companies to participate in data spaces 

🌍 Why Your Perspective Matters 

While this session is primarily informational, we want to be transparent about one key message: 

The successful adoption of EDC-V within Tractus-X – and its readiness for Catena-X and other Manufacturing-X data spaces – depends on active contribution from the wider community. 

Tractus-X is the open-source project where upstream EDC capabilities are adapted and validated for real data space usage. This work benefits from diverse perspectives – whether you are a Catena-X member, a data space initiative exploring SME onboarding, a solution provider, or a technical contributor. 

👥 Who Should Attend 

• Product and solution owners across the Catena-X ecosystem 
• Technical architects, developers, and integrators 
• Representatives from Manufacturing-X and adjacent data space initiatives 
• Business stakeholders focused on SME integration and supply chain scaling 
• Anyone interested in the future direction of EDC technology 

✅ Registration

Registration is required to attend this session. Please register in advance using the link below to secure your spot:

👉 Sign Up Now

Please feel free to share the registration link with colleagues or partners who may benefit from the session.

This session will be recorded and will be made available afterwards in the Catena-X Members Area on Microsoft Teams.

We look forward to welcoming you to the session. Come curious, bring your questions – and consider how your contribution can help shape the future of scalable data spaces. 

Together, we make sovereign data exchange accessible for everyone.

Kind regards,
Your Catena-X Management Office