We are thrilled to announce that the Data Mesh Meetup Platform has reached a significant milestone: we now have 100 members! 🎊🥳 This is an incredible achievement that wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and passion of our fantastic community. We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have joined us on this exciting journey. For those who are new to this meetup, we are an open and inclusive community dedicated to all things Data Mesh in Belgium. Whether you're a seasoned expert or just starting to explore the world of Data Mesh, we welcome you with open arms. Our goal is to foster an environment that encourages the sharing of Data Mesh experiences, organizing informative events, and facilitating meaningful connections. What is Data Mesh , you might ask? It is a decentralized sociotechnical approach that enables the sharing, access, and management of analytical data in complex and large-scale environments. Whether you're working within a single organization or collaborating across multiple organizations, Data Mesh provides a framework to effectively handle data challenges while promoting autonomy, scalability, and agility. We are incredibly proud of the vibrant and diverse community that has formed around this meetup. It is through your active participation, insightful discussions, and eagerness to learn that we continue to grow and thrive. We are grateful for each member who has contributed their unique perspectives and expertise. To celebrate this milestone, we have some exciting plans in the pipeline! Subscribe and keep an eye on the meetup for upcoming events, webinars, and meetups designed to deepen your understanding of Data Mesh and connect you with fellow enthusiasts. If you have any ideas or suggestions for future activities, we'd love to hear from you! Once again, thank you to all of our amazing members for being a part of the Data Mesh Belgium Meetup. Together, we will continue to explore the possibilities of Data Mesh, push the boundaries of data management, and create a thriving community of data professionals in Belgium. 🚀 Join the Meetup Community 💡 Want to know more about Data Mesh as a service? Click the button below and find out more! Data Mesh as a service

Driven by new social trends and (international) regulations, many companies are shifting up a gear when it comes to sustainable innovation. Through the so-called 'Twin Transition', digital and sustainable transition can reinforce each other. How does Dorien Jorissen, sustainability manager at ACA Group, view this evolution? Which aspects does ACA focus on? Twin Transition More and more entrepreneurs are becoming familiar with the concept of 'twin transition'. According to Ilse Briers , sustainable business advisor at Voka - Kvk Limburg, this is no coincidence. "New regulations, such as the European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, require more and more organisations to report on the environmental, social and governance-related impact of their business activities. The twin transition refers on the one hand to how digital technologies are greening our economy and society, and on the other to the objective that this digital transition should itself be sustainable. A company that succeeds in this twin objective scores highly in terms of profitability, competitive advantage and employer brand." Catching up For the ACA Group, digital transformation and sustainability have long since ceased to be buzzwords. We guide companies and organisations in outlining and implementing a solid digital strategy. "During the corona crisis, many entrepreneurs discovered the potential of digital transformation," indicates Dorien Jorissen . "At the same time, they also increasingly see digital innovation as a lever towards sustainability. Where a company used to merely sell products or services, today we see a clear catch-up movement towards offering 'as a service'. This requires a change in the business model, with also a long-term vision in terms of, for instance, energy-efficient business and circularity." Digital sharing In that context, Ilse refers to the growing success of digital collaboration platforms, both among private individuals and businesses: "We notice that people themselves create other, more sustainable usage models via digital sharing. In a private context it's about exchanging tools or consumer goods, while in a business environment it's manufacturers exchanging residual materials, for example. This creates an interesting dynamic of green business, something that Voka is, by the way, fully facilitating with the 'From Waste 2 Profit' project." "Flemish companies are too concerned with survival and not enough with innovation." Long-term vision ACA's clients - from healthcare institutions to financial players - eagerly use the IT consultant's expertise to help shape the path to twin transition. Dorien explains: "We guide our clients in digital transformation processes and new business models, from strategy to implementation. In doing so, we offer a wide range of products and services, from data solutions to cloud hosting and from customised software to expert training. We encourage every customer to actively think about a digital and sustainable long-term vision, at the expense of the delusion of the day and putting out ad hoc fires. Flemish companies are too much concerned with survival and too little with innovation that makes them agile and future-proof." The importance of data In plotting a successful twin transition, it is crucial to harness the full potential of internal and external (big) data. "Data is the basis for redefining and improving a business model," says Dorien. "Thanks to robust data quality management, complemented by data governance and real-time insights, among other things, you ensure that your organisation has a powerful data platform that can serve as a compass for developing sustainable digital innovations. And in this way, you pull out all the stops in terms of ROI, corporate reputation and employer brand." Read the article on Voka

Kibo was named as the Leader of B2C Commerce Solutions Our partner Kibo was named as the Leader of B2C Commerce Solutions in the latest report of a big independent research firm. This report includes comprehensive guides featuring an evaluation of the top vendors in certain market segments. It is conducted every two years to help organizations select the right vendor for their technology needs and use cases. In their latest edition, the report highlights how the needs and experiences of B2C digital businesses are impacting commerce technology and driving innovation. Kibo is named the Leader of B2C Commerce Solutions and as “best fit for digital businesses that prioritize a preintegrated platform with shared services across functional areas.” Their API-first microservices-based, multi-tenant SaaS solution helps retailers and brands to quickly adapt to the ever-changing consumer environment with a great depth and breadth of services. Kibo Headless eCommerce scored the highest in several categories, including: Architecture Order and inventory management Performance Supporting products and services Reporting and analytics Product vision We are proud of our partnership with Kibo and look forward to the road ahead of their innovative unified commerce platform that continues delivering personalized, omnichannel experiences for brands and retailers! Want to download the report? Then click on the button below! ⬇️ Find out more about the report!