Unified Data Field

Unified Data Field (UDF)

UDF turns your data into a true asset: usable, explainable, and ownable across people, teams, and systems. It introduces a system-independent foundation for clarity, validation, and control across domains and systems.

UDF is the missing layer between raw enterprise data and reliable decision-making. It defines how core data entities such as Customers, Articles, and Services originate in one domain and evolve through others, ultimately forming a trusted and complete golden record.

The method guides organizations to design their data journeys intentionally, shifting from fragmented silos to shared, governed structures.

🌱 Seeding the Field

Every organization consists of business domains such as Sales, Finance, Legal, Operations, and HR. Each domain creates, transforms, and relies on data. Yet the journey of these data entities — how they move across domains, what is added, validated, or left behind — is rarely fully understood.

UDF begins by:

• Mapping the internal domains
• Identifying data ownership and responsibilities
• Understanding how entities originate and are enriched across domains

This provides immediate clarity and accountability, forming the groundwork for high-trust, high-value enterprise data.

🔤 LEAPED Definitions: The UDF Backbone

UDF introduces a universal backbone called LEAPED, which captures the primary entity types found in any enterprise:

L: Locations
E: Entities
A: Assets
P: Products & Services
E: Events
D: Documents

Together, these form the modular blueprint from which all relevant data structures can be modeled. These types are system-agnostic, reusable, and designed for immediate customization.

Rather than starting from scratch, UDF provides foundational LEAPED definitions that:

• Ensure semantic clarity across systems and teams
• Serve as the base for entity lifecycle tracking, enrichment, and governance
• Enable one-click deployment of data schemas
• Power self-documenting APIs and preconfigured GUIs
• Act as seeds that grow into a living structure across your Unified Data Field

📐 Field Definition Language (FDL)

FDL is a structured, human-readable language (YAML-based) to define, govern, and extend each LEAPED entity.

Each FDL file specifies:

• The minimum dataset required by the originating domain
• Additional fields added by consuming domains
• Validation logic and required constraints
• Rules for golden record status
• Visibility and ownership across domains

FDL is not just a definition tool. It also powers automation.

Every valid FDL file results in:

• A standardized schema
• REST/GraphQL API generation
• GUI form generation
• Domain-based access control
• AI-readable context for enhanced quality and explainability

FDL bridges the gap between abstract entity modeling and operational reality. Its structure serves as a de facto standard for future data modeling and cross-domain communication.

🧱 Planned Evolution

UDF is more than a methodology. It is designed to evolve into a modular no-code platform where applying the method today unlocks strategic advantages tomorrow.

The platform roadmap includes:

• Real-time FDL parsing and schema creation
• Entity lifecycle dashboards and audit trails
• Integrated data quality and enrichment scoring
• Visual UX showing active usage, schema completeness, and golden record status
• Integrated API marketplace to connect validated entities with internal or external systems

All visualized on a unified field showing how entities flow across domains, where gaps exist, and where opportunities lie.

🧭 Why UDF Stands Out

• UDF solves the semantic gap between raw data and usable intelligence
• Unlike data warehouses or lakehouses, UDF focuses on meaning and structure, not storage
• It empowers teams to define their own reality across business, IT, and AI while remaining consistent
• With FDL and LEAPED, UDF forms a living map of enterprise data, policies, and evolution

UDF makes clean data explainable, trusted data visible, and connected data actionable.

🔒 Intellectual Property Statement

The Unified Data Field (UDF) framework, LEAPED entity structure, and Field Definition Language (FDL) are original intellectual property of Arero7. This includes the conceptual model, structural breakdown, terminology, YAML schema, and platform evolution roadmap.

The method was first defined and published at arero7.com/seeds/udf, and is officially registered under i-DEPOT number 153276 at the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP), providing legal proof of authorship and protection.

All content, diagrams, entity structures, and language patterns are protected under copyright. No part of this material may be reproduced, shared, or embedded in a commercial system without written approval from Arero7.

📄 Copyright Notice

© 2025 Arero7 – Unified Data Field. All rights reserved.

UDF, LEAPED, and FDL are trademarks or pending trademarks of Arero7.

Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this material, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.

For licensing or early collaboration opportunities, contact info@arero7.com

👤 Author & Origin

This concept was developed by Hans de Waal, founder of Arero7. It is the result of over 15 years of hands-on experience designing enterprise systems, leading data transformations, and building scalable, high-trust data architectures.

Rather than emerging from theory or academic models, the Unified Data Field (UDF) grew out of real-world challenges where data was fragmented, ownership unclear, and decision-making unreliable.

UDF is the first blueprint to emerge from Arero7 — a venture founded to transform strategic ideas into tangible frameworks and platforms. This document captures its origin and structure as registered intellectual property.