Administration shell: Product data becomes digitally usable
The Asset Administration Shell turns product information into a digital product identity. In order for it to be used effectively in processes, systems, and the Digital Product Passport, structured, consistent, and semantically clean data is required. This is precisely where D&TS comes in.
From existing product data to usable knowledge
ERP systems, drawings, PDFs, and Excel files contain valuable information. However, they often lack structure, consistency, and semantics. This results in manual processes, media breaks, and high maintenance costs. The administration shell creates a uniform basis and makes product data usable across systems.
This is how a Asset Administration Shell is structured
The Asset Administration Shell forms the standardized digital image of a product or material. It is based on unique identification and structures all relevant product information in technical submodels.
These submodels bundle information such as master data, technical characteristics, or life cycle data in a clearly defined form. Characteristics are described semantically to ensure that the data contained is understood uniformly across systems. ECLASS ensures a standardized meaning of classes and characteristics and creates the basis for consistent, machine-readable product data.
This makes the administration shell the basis for digital applications such as automated processes or the Digital Product Passport.
What the Asset Administration Shell can do
The administration shell is designed to make product data usable across systems. IT bundles information from different sources, structures it in clear submodels, and makes it available in a machine-readable format.
This means that product data can not only be stored, but also actively used. For data exchange with customers and partners, for automated processes, for service and maintenance, and as a basis for regulatory requirements such as the Digital Product Passport.
The administration shell is not an isolated system, but rather a connecting layer between master data, IT systems, and specific use cases. Its benefits arise where structured and semantically clean data is transferred into processes.
Without clean master data management, no administration shell can function properly
An administration shell can only be useful if the underlying product data is structured, consistent, and clearly described. This is precisely where professional master data management comes in. D&TS prepares product and material master data so that it can be used across systems. This includes data cleansing, feature mapping, and the use of established standards such as ECLASS, ETIM, or UNSPSC for the semantic description of classes and features.
The result is a robust database on which asset administration shells, digital product passports, and other digital applications can be reliably built.
Added value through the use of the administration shell
The administration shell is not a static data model. It comes into effect where product data is used across systems, passed on, and integrated into processes. This is precisely where efficiency, transparency, and new application possibilities arise.
The Asset Administration Shell enables product data to be provided in a structured and standardized manner. Information no longer has to be gathered from different systems, documents, or files, but is consistently available in one place.
Customers, partners, and platforms receive exactly the data they need in a form that can be processed directly. This reduces queries, speeds up coordination, and creates a reliable basis for collaboration along the entire value chain.
Clearly structured and semantically unambiguous characteristics enable the automation of processes that were previously manual and prone to errors.
For example, the administration shell supports structured material creation, cross-system data provision, and automated further processing of product information.
This turns master data into an active component of digital processes rather than just a passive source of information.
All relevant product information is centrally available in the administration shell. This includes technical features, documents, parameters, and service-related information.
This data can be used specifically for service and maintenance processes and is also accessible to end cutomers. This facilitates maintenance, operation, and spare parts identification and ensures that information is up-to-date, traceable, and available at all times.
Regulatory requirements and sustainability certifications reuire structured, consistent, and versioned data.
The administration shell creates transparency regarding product information and changes to it over time. Certifications can be provided in a traceable manner, which simplifies audits and supports compliance with regulatory requirements.
This means that compliance does not become an additional expense, but rather an integrated part of the data strategy.
For end customers
Product information is understandable, up-to-date, and available without a long search.
For systems
Data is structured, machine-readable, and semantically unambiguous.
For scaling
Once cleanly set up, data can be reused for different use cases.
The Digital Product Passport as a strategic opportunity
The Digital Product Passport will become mandatory for many companies. Those who invest in structured data and an administration shell early on will not only be able to meet these requirements, but also actively leverage them. Transparent product information builds trust, facilitates market access, and strengthens your position in supply chains and tenders.
More about the DPP
From master data to measurable benefits
Structured master data is the basis of all digital use. Data cleansing standardizes existing information and puts it on a consistent footing. Clear semantics are needed so that product data can be understood and processed across systems. ECLASS gives classes and characteristics a standardized meaning, enabling comparability and reusability. The administration shell is built on ths basis. It bundles product information into clear structures and makes it usable for systems, processes, and external applications. This creates concrete added value such as automated data exchange, support for end customers in material creation and service processes, and the Digital Product Passport as a scalable next step.
Why D&TS?
D&TS combines in-depth master data expertise with operational implementation in real business processes. Our focus is on preparing product data in such a way that it is not only complete, but also structured, semantically unambiguous, and permanently usable.
We work where many digitization initiatives fail: at the database level. Through data cleansing, feature mapping, and the targeted use of ECLASS, we create a common semantic foundation on which administration shells, automation, and the Digital Product Passport can be reliably built.
We don´t think in terms of isolated IT concepts, but rather along concrete use cases. Whether cross-system data exchange, material creation, end customer use, or regulatory requirements: we ensure that data works in practice. This way, the administration shell becomes not a theoretical construct, but a productive component of your digital value creation.
Many years of experience in product and material master data management as the basis for digital processes.
Deep expertise in ECLASS, feature mapping, and semantic harmonization of product data.
Implementation of data projects, making the administration shell, automation, and the Digital Product Passport productive.
Added value through notifications and end customer functions
The administration shell can be used to communicate changes, discontinuations, or successor products in a transparent manner. End customers can be supported in material procurement and gain access to up-to-date product information, documents, and certificates.
This creates additional benefits beyond the mere provision of data.
Let's talk about your product data
Whether it´s an Asset Administration Shell, digital product passport, or automation, the first step is always a clean, robust database. Let´s talk about how your product data is structured today and how it can be further developed in a targeted manner.
+49 (0)2336 42828-0
info@dundts.com
+49 (0)2336 42828-28