Simpl is an open source, smart and secure middleware platform that supports data access and interoperability among European data spaces.
Simpl plays a major role in the creation of the Common European Data Spaces. These are data ecosystems where users in the same ecosystem share data in a safe and secure manner. Simpl gives data providers full control over who accesses their data in such data spaces.
More about Simpl
Simpl is composed of 3 products:
- Simpl-Open: an open-source software stack that powers data spaces and other cloud-to-edge federation initiatives.
- Simpl-Labs: an environment for data spaces to experiment with open-source software and assess their level of interoperability with Simpl. Specifically, sectoral data spaces in their early stages of inception will be able to experiment with the deployment, maintenance, and support of the open-source software stack before deploying it for their own needs. Furthermore, more mature data spaces will be able to use Simpl-Labs to assess their level of interoperability with Simpl-Open.
- Simpl-Live: distinct instances of the Simpl-Open software stack deployed for specific sectoral data spaces where the European Commission itself plays an active role in their management.
Simpl is guided by 5 principles:
- Anchored to specific use cases: Simpl will ensure that data sets and their infrastructure can be seamlessly interconnected and made interoperable.
- Smart and modular: Simpl will allow the replacement or addition of components without affecting the rest of the system.
- Open source: Simpl will be publicly accessible, and allow anyone to see, modify and distribute it. This will insights into all parts of the architecture without any proprietary claims, and simple deployment.
- Green, scalable and agile: Simpl will allow the monitoring of its environmental performance, and the addition of new users without affecting performance.
- Secure and interoperable: Simpl will ensure trust, confidence and compliance with regulations are built into the system. This implies an effortless sharing of resources between participants, regardless of their data processing environment. It creates an abstraction layer that enables data to flow across multiple providers and Member States.
The European Commission's role regarding Simpl is to:
- be the contracting authority procuring Simpl;
- offer Simpl freely as an open-source tool that both public and private sectors can benefit from, serving European citizens;
- deploy its own instances of Simpl as an active stakeholder of some forthcoming data spaces;
- be the main operator of some public sector-specific data spaces;
- make open testing environments available for stakeholders to try out Simply before deployment.
More details about Simpl are listed in the set of clarifications about Simpl (.pdf)
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Big Picture
Common European Data Spaces will make more data available for access and reuse. This will be done in a trustworthy and secure environment for the benefit of European businesses and citizens.