The digitalization of processes currently offers one of the most significant potentials in the manufacturing industry. However, relevant data in the company is only mapped with sufficient accuracy through the creation of a digital shadow, so that a real-time evaluation basis can be created. Efficient extraction, merging and protection of company data are essential requirements for such an approach. The FIR Aachen GmbH supports enterprises with the evaluation and introduction of a Digital Shadow. In our self-developed three-phase approach we treat the topic of the Digital Shadow in a structured way from different perspectives and answer the following questions: