Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Purpose of This Document

The "Open Data Spaces Introductory Guidebook for Users (this document)" is not a technical manual or procedural guide explaining individual specifications or implementation steps, but rather focuses on providing the conceptual understanding and evaluation perspectives necessary for making entry decisions. It is important to develop this understanding while verifying what is possible with standard specifications using actual reference implementation software, and this is intended to be covered with concrete examples in the ODS Introductory Guidebook for Engineers. Accordingly, this document serves as a prerequisite step, aimed at helping users(both in private and public sector) understand the overall picture of Open Dataspaces from their perspective, identify where business opportunities lie, and distinguish what should be verified in implementation guides and reference implementations beyond that point.

1.2 Intended Readers

The users referred to in this document encompass a broad range of personas involving otganizations(both in private and public sectors) engaged in data management and AI service utilization:

• GTM strategy and digital transformation staff at organizations considering the use of external data (procurement, quality management, AI analysis, etc.)

• Data management and business development staff evaluating whether to provide or share their organization's data externally

• System and procurement department staff seeking to improve data collaboration with multiple business partners and supply chain partners

• Information systems and business reform staff considering the introduction of BI/DI analytics and AI services

• New business development staff considering the use (as a user) of Open-Dataspaces-related managed services and applications

1.3 Scope of This Document

This document focuses on the content necessary for users to decide whether to enter open dataspace-related businesses. Detailed specialized areas not directly relevant to that decision are not covered.

In Scope

• Explanation of the concept for Open Dataspaces

• Entry axes and key evaluation points anticipated from the user perspective

• Practical considerations for small-start

Out of Scope

• Explanation of design philosophy and architectural paradigms

• Support and practices related to services provided by specific products or specific vendors

• Compliance with legal systems, and legal or governance practices

• Requirements, analysis, and strategy for domain- or industry-specific use cases

• Explanation of technical specifications, OSS (open source software) installation procedures, and SDK (software development kit) usage

Reference Documents

Related documents to be consulted are listed below:

Table 1 Reference Documents

Document Name	Reference Purpose	URL
Why Open Dataspaces: Design Philosophy and the Architectural Paradigm (hereinafter "Design Philosophy")	A document explaining the design philosophy and architectural paradigm of ODS — a new technical paradigm for distributed data management across organizations, enterprises, and national borders	https://www.ipa.go.jp/en/digital/architecture-guidelines/open-dataspaces-design-philosophy.html
Open Data Spaces Reference Architecture Model (hereinafter "ODS-RAM")	A reference architecture for distributed data management across enterprises, industries, and national boundaries. A reference document comprising technology paradigms, hierarchical structure models, protocol relationships	https://open-dataspaces.gitbook.io/ods-docs/
ODS Protocols (ODP)	A set of technical specifications that provide the functions realizing distributed data management based on ODS-RAM and ensure the interoperability of open dataspaces	https://open-dataspaces.gitbook.io/ods-docs/
ODS Introductory Guidebook for Developers	Intended for engineers adopting, deploying, or providing services based on open dataspaces technologies, this guide helps them understand the overall technical landscape and foundations, and begin design, implementation, and operations	https://open-dataspaces.gitbook.io/ods-docs/

1.4 Overall Structure of This Document

This document is structured to progressively deepen the understanding necessary for user enterprises to consider entry into dataspace-related businesses. Please read on, as each chapter covers the following topics:

• Chapter 2: Industrial Structural Transformation in the Agentic AI Era and the Strategic Value of Distributed Data Management

• Chapter 3: What is Open Dataspaces?

• Chapter 4: Participation in Open Dataspaces and the Position of Users

• Chapter 5: The Process for Evaluating Entry for Open Dataspaces Business

• Chapter 6: The Process for Planning Implementation of Open Dataspaces

• Chapter 7: How to Proceed by Implementation Stage

• Chapter 8: Summary and a Message to Users