Why the CDQ Data Sharing Community matters: insights from the Cologne workshop

On April 22–23, 2026, members of the CDQ Data Sharing Community gathered in Cologne, Germany for two days of focused exchange, practical learning and collaboration. More than just a recurring event, this workshop reflected something deeper: the strength of a community that has become one of CDQ’s most valuable assets.

Because what makes CDQ different is not only technology or methodology. It is the network of companies working together to solve the same master data challenges.

A community that creates value

Data management is complex. Every organization faces issues with data quality, governance, and consistency across systems. Solving these challenges in isolation is slow and costly. The Data Sharing Community changes this dynamic.

By bringing together companies from different industries, the opportunity of data sharing creates a space where knowledge is shared openly. What one company has already solved becomes a starting point for another. Instead of reinventing solutions, members build proven approaches. This collective intelligence is where real value lies.

The Cologne workshop stayed true to this idea. Over two days, participants worked through real-world challenges, shared concrete use cases, and discussed how to move from data problems to measurable outcomes. There was no focus on theory for its own sake, every session connected directly to practical applications.

Key discussions centered around:

• improving business partner data quality at scale
• making data governance work across complex organizations
• using AI in a way that is grounded in reliable, structured data

The tone was open and direct. Participants shared not only successes, but also what did not work. That level of honesty is what makes the community effective. A key highlight of the Data Sharing Community is how quickly innovation turns into measurable impact. Participants shared real examples of accelerated business partner onboarding, where processes that once took days or weeks are now completed in a fraction of the time.

These improvements are driven by practical AI use cases already in operation, not just concepts. Across discussions, one direction became clear: the shift toward continuous, automated data quality. Building on these insights, we are currently developing a new AI-powered solution designed to support an “All Time Right" approach, helping organizations maintain accurate, reliable data at every stage of the lifecycle.

It helps data managers get quicker answers and guidance in their daily work with business partner data. Users can ask questions in natural language, explore CDQ product knowledge, and get support when working with selected data management scenarios. 

If you’d like to explore how AI is reshaping data management in more depth, we invite you to watch our three-part webinar series. It brings together practical insights, real-world use cases, and expert perspectives on applying AI in ways that deliver measurable value. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale your approach, the series offers clear guidance you can put into practice.

Join the AI in MDM Webinar Series

Why the community is a core CDQ asset

The Data Sharing Community is not an add-on. It is a core part of how CDQ delivers value.

It strengthens everything around it:

Better solutions
Insights from the community directly influence CDQ’s products and services. Real needs, not assumptions, shape them.

Faster progress for members
Companies benefit from each other’s experiences. This reduces trial and error and accelerates implementation.

Shared standards and trust
Working together helps align common approaches to business partner data. This creates consistency and trust across organizations.

In short, the community turns individual efforts into collective progress.

The human factor: collaboration that goes beyond sessions

Some of the most important moments in Cologne did not happen on stage. They happened in conversations between sessions, over coffee, during breaks, and in small group discussions. This is where participants compared notes, challenged ideas, and found new ways to collaborate.

These interactions build relationships and those connections are what sustain the community between events, helping everyone move forward.

The Data Sharing Community’s power is that it benefits every participant.

• new members gain access to proven knowledge from day one
• experienced members refine their approach through peer exchange
• all participants contribute to shaping better data practices across industries

It is a shared effort with shared rewards.

Looking ahead

The Cologne workshop was another step in the ongoing development of the CDQ Data Sharing Community. The insights gathered will continue to shape future initiatives, products and collaborations. The core idea remains simple: data reaches its full value when it is improved together, and that is exactly what this community is built to do.