[Progress News] [Progress OpenEdge ABL] What Is Progress® DataDirect? Simplifying Data Connectivity Across Modern Enterprises

[Neeshma Mehta]

Data is everywhere—but accessing it isn’t always easy. Organizations rely on a mix of cloud applications, databases, APIs and legacy systems, and connecting them all often creates more complexity than value.

That’s where Progress® DataDirect comes in.

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The Growing Challenge of Data Connectivity​

Modern enterprises operate across highly distributed environment.

The result? Fragmented data ecosystems that make it difficult to get a unified, real-time view of the business.

Many organizations still rely on custom-built connectors and point integrations to bridge these gaps. While this approach may work initially, it often leads to:

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  Increased development and maintenance costs
  
  
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  Inconsistent performance across systems
  
  
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  Security and compliance risks
  
  
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  Delays in analytics and decision-making
  

What Is Progress DataDirect?​

Progress DataDirect acts as a standardized connectivity layer that allows applications to securely and efficiently access data—no matter where it resides. By using industry-standard interfaces like ODBC, JDBC and ADO.NET, DataDirect removes the need for custom integration logic and vendor-specific connectors.

This means developers and IT teams can:

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  Connect to multiple data sources using a consistent approach
  
  
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  Reduce complexity across hybrid and multi-cloud environments
  
  
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  Improve data accuracy and reliability
  

A Complete Connectivity Portfolio​

One of the key points highlighted in the white paper is that DataDirect is not a single product—it’s a comprehensive portfolio designed to meet a wide range of data connectivity needs.

• ODBC and JDBC drivers for high-performance, standards-based access
• ADO.NET providers for .NET applications
• Hybrid Data Pipeline (HDP) for secure, governed access across environments
• OpenAccess SDK to expose proprietary or legacy data via SQL
• Autonomous REST Connector (ARC) for SQL access to REST APIs

Together, these solutions give organizations the flexibility to connect virtually any application to any data source without adding complexity.

How DataDirect Simplifies Data Access​

DataDirect works as a translation layer between applications and data sources.

This approach unlocks several key advantages:

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  Seamless access to multiple data sources through a single interface
  
  
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  Real-time data access without relying on batch processing
  
  
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  Simplified data integration and movement for analytics and reporting
  

Built for Performance, Security and Scale​

Enterprise data connectivity requires more than just access—it demands performance, security and scalability.

DataDirect delivers on all three:

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  High performance: Optimized drivers reduce latency and improve throughput
  
  
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  Enterprise-grade security: Built-in encryption, authentication and compliance support
  
  
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  Scalability: Supports growing data volumes and evolving architectures without redesign
  

Real-World Impact​

Organizations are already using DataDirect to solve real business challenges, such as:

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  Connecting cloud CRM platforms like Salesforce to backend databases
  
  
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  Consolidating data from multiple systems into centralized data warehouses
  
  
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  Powering BI tools with fast, consistent access to data
  
  
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  Enabling SQL-based access to REST APIs
  
  
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  Securely sharing data with external partners
  

These use cases demonstrate how standardized connectivity can directly improve efficiency, visibility and decision-making.

Why Data Connectivity Is Now a Business Priority​

As businesses continue to expand across cloud, hybrid and on-prem environments, data connectivity is no longer just a technical concern—it’s a strategic priority.

Without a consistent approach, organizations risk:

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  Slower development cycles
  
  
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  Higher operational costs
  
  
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  Limited visibility into their data
  

Learn More​

For a deeper dive into how DataDirect works, its full capabilities and how it can transform your data strategy, read the full white paper.

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