Imagine… A European logistics company using real-time route optimization, cloud-based tracking, and warehouse edge devices – all delivered by different providers across country borders. In such a complex ecosystem, any delay, mismatch, or security issue can cause costly major disruptions. A delivery route calculated a few seconds too late, or a warehouse device unable to sync data with a cloud platform, may cascade into lost shipments, penalties, or even contractual breaches with clients.
This is where multi-provider Service Level Agreements (SLAs) become critical. Traditional SLAs are often limited to a single provider, specifying uptime, performance, or data protection guarantees in isolation. But in a distributed, cross-border environment, businesses depend on chains of interconnected providers – cloud platforms, connectivity operators, edge infrastructure, and specialized applications – all working in concert. Without multi-provider SLAs, it is difficult to clearly define who is responsible when something goes wrong. If a disruption occurs, one provider may meet its obligations on paper, while the overall service still fails from the perspective of the logistics company.
FACIS addresses this gap by creating shared, machine-readable SLAs that reflect the true end-to-end performance of the ecosystem rather than isolated silos, with a harmonized taxonomy and a framework governance. The multi-provider SLAs provide transparency into how providers interact, allow for accountability in case of failures, and ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR. For businesses, this means confidence: the assurance that even as services scale across borders and providers, the promised quality, security, and legal certainty remain intact.
The Challenge: Static SLAs Can’t Keep Pace with Dynamic, Multi-Provider Services
In today’s digital economy, companies rely on different providers and partners for their business. Services are composed across providers, platforms, and borders, yet traditional Service Level Agreements (SLAs) cannot keep up with this complexity. They are static, hard to enforce, difficult to adapt in real time, and often inconsistent between organizations.
FACIS: The First Shared Framework for Cross-Border SLAs
The harmonization of SLAs between European providers under FACIS enables bundled provisioning of services across providers, enhancing collaboration in cooperative data ecosystems – without compromising on quality, security, or compliance. FACIS developed a shared SLA taxonomy, which includes smart metrics, clear criteria, and adjustable modules to define joint, automated, machine-readable SLAs. These ensure that all partners follow the same rules, technical standards, and performance expectations.
As a result, bundled provisioning of services across providers work together reliably, problems are detected early, and systems adapt automatically. Even in complex international environments, collaboration becomes more efficient, transparent, and legally robust. This empowers Europe’s industries to shape what’s next.
Edge data gathering & multiple data channel management
Standardized data transfer between sender and receiver, based on dataspace protocol
Cloud enabled data aggregation
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AI- supported data analysis
Because traditional SLAs are static, hard to enforce, and do not fit the complexity of dynamic, multi-provider services across borders. FACIS moderates the conversation between infrastructure and cloud providers for agreeing on shared SLAs to solve this.
It is a set of clear rules, contract templates, and standards that ensure transparency, data protection, and interoperability for all partners from day one, aligned with European regulation.
They make collaboration more reliable, legally compliant, and scalable – improving trust, reducing risks, and enabling secure cross-border data services.