In a Spotlight Series interview with ActualTech's Keith Ward, Ben Haynes, Founder and CEO of Directus, discussed the innovative Open Data Platform, Directus, which allows for the management and visualization of data across any SQL database. Initially developed in 2004, Directus was designed to address the inefficiencies of traditional content management systems (CMS) and database administration tools, providing a comprehensive solution for both technical and non-technical users. The platform has evolved from a headless CMS to a versatile tool replacing legacy CMS platforms and offering services similar to databases-as-a-service like Hasura and Supabase. Directus supports a range of use cases, from content management to server analytics, demonstrated by its application in companies like Native Instruments, Bose, and AT&T. Released as open-source, Directus benefits from a large user base and community contributions, enhancing its robustness and efficiency. The platform's future plans include advancing data virtualization and automation, with a pricing model that offers the core platform for free and additional cloud services for more demanding production needs.