Davide Mauri and Rijk van Zanten provide a comprehensive guide on deploying Directus, an open-source data platform, on Azure SQL and Azure App Service. Directus, built entirely on Node.js, acts as a data layer that mirrors existing SQL databases, allowing users across an organization to access and manage data through automatic REST and GraphQL endpoints without migrating data. The article outlines steps to set up a Directus instance, including creating a compatible Azure SQL database, configuring a local project, defining data models, and managing permissions. It also details deploying Directus on Azure App Service using Docker, facilitating ease of access and maintenance. The guide encourages users to explore Directus's capabilities, including its rule-based permissions and APIs, and suggests options for scaling from development to production environments with Directus Cloud.