February 2022 Summaries

Open Data Platforms are transforming how organizations access and leverage data by enabling both technical and non-technical users to utilize company data efficiently, without the need for specialized IT skills. These platforms abstract the complexity of connecting to relational databases through standardized APIs and no-code applications, allowing data to remain pristine and free from vendor lock-in. They facilitate the creation of omnichannel digital experiences, development of internal applications, and powering of SaaS offerings while reducing costs associated with licensing, training, and maintenance. One of the leading solutions in this field is Directus, an open-source and free platform available both on-premises and in the cloud, which supports a wide range of features including multilingual applications and digital asset management. Through their flexibility, extensibility, and automation, Open Data Platforms help organizations create a single source of truth for their business data, enhancing efficiency and integration across various systems.

Directus 9, the first Open Data Platform, has been launched as a fully open-source and scalable solution designed to democratize data access within organizations, allowing users from developers to marketers to manage data securely without needing to migrate it from existing SQL databases. This release, marked by a new 100% JavaScript codebase offering tenfold performance improvement over its PHP predecessors, supports major SQL vendors and enhances caching, authentication, and granular user permissions. The platform's new Directus Insights module enables customizable dashboards and data visualizations without requiring SQL queries, catering to business users and data scientists. The milestone of 10 million Docker downloads underscores the platform's popularity among container-native developers, with notable companies like AT&T and the United States Navy using Directus. The platform is available for self-hosting via Docker, GitHub, and NPM, with additional cloud offerings for more tailored solutions.