The monetization of data is a very young topic, for which there are only very few case studies. There is a lack of strategy or concept that shows decision-makers the way into the monetization of data, especially those who have discovered or are threatened by the digital transformation or Industry 4.0. Because machine data is usually unstructured and not usable without domain knowledge/metadata, the monetization of machine data has an as yet unquantifiable potential. In order to make this potential tangible, this work describes not only contributions from science, but also practical examples from industry. Based on different examples from various industries, the reader can already become part of a future data economy today. Values and benefits are described in detail.