The Blue-Cloud Data Discovery and Access service is one of the two main components of the Blue-Cloud technical framework, next to the Blue Cloud Virtual Research Environment (VRE). It facilitates discovery and retrieval of data sets and data products for external users in stand-alone mode. Functionality to serve also users of the VRE through connectivity will be added soon. The Blue-Cloud data sets are managed in blue data infrastructures (BDIs) that are connected to the Blue Cloud service to serve federated discovery and access.
A common interface is provided for discovery and retrieval of data sets and data products from each of the federated BDIs. The interface also includes facilities for mapping and viewing the locations of data sets, as this is part of the query dialogue. Moreover, the interface has a shopping mechanism, facilitating users to compose and submit mixed shopping baskets with requests for data sets from multiple BDIs.
Oceans, seas and watersAddressing target audiences and expressing needs
- To raise awareness and possibly influence policy
Become the reference service for harmonised discovery and access to a range of multi-disciplinary repositories in the marine community. The functionality of the service needs to be further developed and expanded, e.g. with data subsetting and data lake techniques, more Blue Data Infrastructures (BDIs) need to be federated, the machine-to-machine exchange with BDIs needs to be streamlined concerning functionalities and FAIRness, the interfacing towards the future DTO needs to be developed, tuning with EMODnet and Copernicus Marine.
- Public or private funding institutions
- EU and Member State Policy-makers
- International Organisations (ex. OECD, FAO, UN, etc.)
R&D, Technology and Innovation aspects
The functionality of the service needs to be further developed and expanded, e.g. with data subsetting and data lake techniques, more Blue Data Infrastructures (BDIs) need to be federated, the machine-to-machine exchange with BDIs needs to be streamlined concerning functionalities and FAIRness, the interfacing towards the future DTO needs to be developed, tuning with EMODnet and Copernicus Marine.
Partially
Technology is replicable; organisation is more difficult as it requires a lot of networking
Funding is secured till middle of 2026. MARIS and the other owners of exploitation aim for continued EU funding for further developments and for qualifying as an essential service for a large community of users as well as of increasing number of connected BDIs.
