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Glossary

A collection of terms and their definitions

A

API (Application Programming Interface)
An API is a way for two or more computer programs to communicate with each other.
Related terms: REST, GraphQL
Aspect Model
A formal, machine-readable semantic description (expressed with RDF/Turtle) of data accessible from an aspect. Note 1: An Aspect Model must adhere to the Semantic Aspect Meta Model (SAMM) and be compliant with its validity rules. Note 2: Aspect Models are logical data models that can be used to detail a conceptual model to describe the semantics of runtime data related to a concept; elements of an Aspect Model can/should refer to terms of a standardized Business Glossary (if existing).
Asset
On the Data Provider side, an Asset describes the data set which will be shared or can be consumed by a Data Consumer.
Asset Administration Shell (AAS)
The AAS is a digital representation of an asset; it is a form of a digital twin.
Related terms: Asset, Digital Twin

B

Basic flow
The exchange of material flow simulation results over the OSim network from lower to higher tiers.
Bill of Material (BoM)
A Bill of Material (BoM) represents the structure of a product: a list of raw materials, sub-assemblies and sub-components needed to manufacture the end product. In Catena-X Traceability more than one BoM is considered, since the BoM can change during the lifecycle (different BoMs for different lifecycles).
Related terms: Part Instance, Subcomponent
BPN (Business Partner Number)
A BPN is the unique identifier of a partner within Catena-X.
Related terms: BPNL, BPNS
BPNL (Business Partner Number (Legal Entity))
The unique identifier of a legal entity of a partner within Catena-X (e.g., a company).
Related terms: BPN
BPNS (Business Partner Number (Site))
The unique identifier of a partner site within Catena-X (e.g., a specific factory).
Related terms: BPN

C

Customer
In the context of OSim, the receiver of produced goods from a supplier.
Related terms: Supplier

H

Higher tier level
Direction in the network toward the OEM; Tier-1 is the highest tier level followed by the OEM (also called 'Next level', 'Next tier level', 'Higher level').
Related terms: Lower tier level
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
HTTP is an application-layer protocol for transmitting hypermedia documents (such as HTML). It was designed for communication between web browsers and web servers, but can also be used for other purposes.
Related terms: REST, API

I

IDS (International Data Space)
The International Data Space enables 'smart services' and business processes across companies and industries while ensuring data sovereignty and self-determined control of data use.
Related terms: IDSA, IDSA Protocol
IDSA (International Data Space Association)
The IDSA is an organization working to create the future of the global digital economy with International Data Spaces (IDS): a secure, sovereign system of data sharing where participants can realize the full value of their data.
Related terms: IDS, IDSA Protocol
IDSA Protocol
The protocol used for data exchange in an International Dataspace; this includes contract negotiation.
Related terms: IDS, IDSA

L

Logistician
In the context of OSim, the organization that transports produced goods from supplier to customer.
Related terms: Supplier, Customer
Lower tier level
Direction in the network toward suppliers of raw materials (also called 'Previous level', 'Previous tier level', 'Lower level').
Related terms: Higher tier level

M

MaterialFlowSimulationResult
The data model that describes the structure of simulation result data exchanged between OSim partners.
Related terms: simulationRunID, Basic flow

P

Part Instance
A Part Instance is a physically produced instance (e.g., serialized part, batch, just-in-sequence part) of a Part Type.
Related terms: Serialized part, VAN, VIN

R

REST (Representational State Transfer)
An architectural style for designing networked applications.
Related terms: API, HTTP

S

Scenario flow
The exchange of material flow simulation results related to 'What-If' scenarios.
Serialized part
An instance of a part which can be uniquely identified by means of a serial number, a similar identifier (e.g., VAN), or a combination of identifiers (e.g., manufacturer + date + number).
Related terms: Part Instance, VAN, VIN
simulationRunID
The unique identifier of a simulation result.
Subcomponent
A Subcomponent is a separate product that can be assembled into a customer product.
Related terms: Part Instance, BoM
Supplier
In the context of OSim, the producer of goods.
Related terms: Customer, Logistician

T

Tractus-X EDC (Tractus-X EDC)
The Tractus-X Eclipse Dataspace Connector (Tractus-X EDC) is a reference implementation for a connector conformant to CX-0018 and acts as a de-facto standard/reference implementation within Catena-X; other CX-0018-conformant connectors are also valid options.
Related terms: EDC, CX-0018
Transport/Handling Unit
A bundle of goods inside a closed transport packing which will not be split up or added to with additional goods on the route of transport until its final destination at the receiving company.
Related terms: Logistician

U

UML (Unified Modeling Language)
UML is a general-purpose visual modeling language providing a standard way to visualize the design of a system. It includes standard notations for behavior, interaction, and structure diagrams.

V

VAN (Vehicle Anonymised Number)
A number mapped 1:1 to a VIN but pseudonymised to protect vehicle identity.
Related terms: VIN
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
A VIN is a 17-character code assigned by the manufacturer to every vehicle; it encodes the vehicle's make, model, year of manufacture and other identifying features and serves as a unique identifier throughout the vehicle's lifespan.
Related terms: VAN

W

What-If scenario
A description of potentially changed situations in production or changed requirements; also used interchangeably with 'scenario'.
Related terms: Scenario flow

Total terms: 31