FDO Manager

The FDO Manager as part of the NFDI4DS represents one of the initial implementations of the FDO in practice, which adheres to the FDO specifications while offering a robust minimum viable solution. The manager ensures the necessary metadata and a persistent identifier accompany each artefact. To fully comply with the FDO specifications, the manager ensures that the metadata is temporarily stored in a dedicated registry managed by Fraunhofer FIT, separate from the digital objects themselves. Furthermore, the FDO Manager will handle the recording and storage of FDO records in a distinct registry, which is a key requirement in the FDO specifications.

The FDO manager serves as a comprehensive solution addressing some of the most pressing and challenging problems in data management today.

Drowning in Data
Modern research and industry environments generate vast amounts of data, leading to significant difficulties in data discovery and retrieval. Despite having substantial data repositories, users often struggle to find relevant data efficiently, hampering productivity and innovation.

Limited FDOs Adaptation
The principles of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data and open science are crucial for advancing research and collaboration. However, these principles are still underutilized. Many organizations have yet to fully adopt and implement FAIR Data Objects, missing out on the benefits of enhanced data sharing and interoperability.

Data Isn't Machine-Actionable
For data to drive automation and advanced analytics, it needs to be machine-actionable. Unfortunately, a significant portion of data remains non-machine-actionable, limiting the potential for automated processes and sophisticated data analysis techniques that can lead to groundbreaking discoveries and efficiencies.

Data Inconsistency
Data inconsistency remains a major hurdle. Inconsistent data formats and definitions across different systems create barriers to integration and analysis. This inconsistency complicates data utilization, leading to errors, misinterpretations, and inefficiencies in data-driven processes.

Aligning with FAIR
We prioritize compliance with the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles. By adhering to these guidelines, we ensure that your data is easily discoverable, accessible when needed, interoperable across different systems, and reusable for future research and analysis.

Minimum Viable Product
The FDO Manager offers a lightweight and effective FAIR Digital Object (FDO) management solution which  provides all the essential features you need to manage your data efficiently and effectively.

Prioritized Interoperability Standards
We adhere to high interoperability standards to ensure smooth data exchange between different systems and platforms. This commitment enables seamless integration and collaboration, allowing you to leverage data from diverse sources without compatibility issues.

Flexible Schemas Design
The FDO Manager supports flexible metadata schemas, designed to accommodate diverse use cases and future growth.

Empowered Discoverability
We utilize Persistent Identifiers (PIDs) to enhance data findability. By assigning unique, stable, and resolvable identifiers to your data, we make it easier for users to locate and access the information they need. This approach significantly improves the discoverability and usability of the data assets.

• Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology FIT
• University Hospital of Cologne (UKK)