## 4 Data Management Infrastructure and Workflow
### Metadata Catalogs and Database Overview  
The development and maintenance of metadata catalogs and databases have proven instrumental in promoting the reproducibility, interoperability, and long-term accessibility of experimental data. In synchrotron X-ray research encompassing techniques such as XAFS, HAXPES, XRD, PDF, and SAXS, several platforms and frameworks have been established, each addressing particular requirements for data quality assurance, metadata structuring, and community-wide data sharing. In Japan, the SPring-8 BL14B2 XAFS Standard Sample Database [41] serves as a model for consistent data management and well-structured metadata organization. This database exclusively handles data collected by the beamline staff using rigorously controlled experimental procedures and standard samples sourced directly from manufacturers. These practices ensure that the datasets are of high quality and are thus critical for ensuring the reproducibility and comparability of XAFS research. Similarly, the BL46 XU HAXPES Standard Sample Database, hosted by SPring-8, is a dedicated repository for HAXPES standard sample datasets that adhere to similar high-quality standards. These databases are accessible through the BENTEN system, support reproducible research, and offer reliable data to the broader scientific community. The registration of these datasets with the NIMS Materials Data Repository (MDR) ensures proper citation via DOI assignments, further facilitating integration into wider material research efforts [44; 45]. Expanding beyond individual facility-based databases, the MDR XAFS DB [44] plays a crucial role in unifying experimental data from multiple domestic synchrotron facilities, including SPring-8, KEK PF, and Ritsumeikan SR. This integrated platform aggregates a wide variety of experimental data across a broad network of institutions, thereby creating a comprehensive and interoperable resource for the synchrotron research community. By consolidating datasets from diverse facilities, the MDR XAFS DB enables comparative studies, fosters cross-institutional collaboration, and provides a foundation for advanced data-driven methodologies. The adoption of standardized metadata structures ensures that datasets remain discoverable and interoperable, thereby addressing key challenges in synchrotron-based research while enhancing the accessibility and utility of experimental data. The potential of these data-driven methodologies is already evident in the innovative research enabled by the MDR XAFS DB. For instance, machine learning algorithms have been successfully applied to automate the analysis of XAFS spectra using datasetsfrom databases [46]. These applications not only improve the efficiency and accuracy of synchrotron-based research but also exemplify how data-driven approaches can provide new insights and expand the frontiers of synchrotron science. These findings highlighted the essential role of well-structured and unified databases in fostering innovation and advancing cutting-edge research. Globally, platforms such as the Diamond Light Source XAFS database [47] and RefXAS [12] exemplify the best practices in data sharing and integration. RefXAS prioritizes the data quality assessment and provides an intuitive web interface, rendering it a valuable resource for the XAFS research community. The International XAFS DB portal [48] extends these capabilities by integrating data from multiple facilities worldwide and by leveraging a comprehensive material dictionary to support interoperability and effective cross-referencing. Efforts to address the challenges of metadata standardization are gaining momentum. The IXAS community [49] has been pivotal in advancing metadata standards for XAFS, including the development of the XAS Data Interchange (XDI) format [50] and the adoption of standards such as NeXus [51; 52].