This year’s PUG Challenge and OpenEdge World Tour events have set new benchmarks for collaboration, innovation and community engagement. These gatherings brought together the brightest minds and most dedicated professionals in the Progress OpenEdge community. Hosted in various locations across North America and Europe, the events were filled with hands-on workshops, informative sessions and valuable networking opportunities, all aimed at empowering OpenEdge partners, customers and end-users to harness the full potential of their platform.
An Unmatched Learning Experience
The PUG Challenge, which took place in Prague and Boston in late September and early October, gave attendees access to over 60 sessions and workshops led by more than 40 OpenEdge experts. Attendees engaged in immersive sessions that spanned a wide range of topics, from application modernization strategies to new advanced security and compliance features available in OpenEdge 12.8, our newest long-term release.
The OpenEdge World Tour earlier in the year further laid the groundwork for these topics, visiting multiple locations worldwide to offer a global audience insight into the latest trends and technological advancements in OpenEdge, particularly focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), regulatory compliance and security.
Highlights from the Keynote and Sessions
One of the standout moments at this year’s PUG Challenge events was the keynote address by John Ainsworth, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Application and Data Platform at Progress. Ainsworth highlighted Progress’ vision for a future where businesses are fully engaged with AI by highlighting the Progress Data Platform.
The Progress Data Platform brings together the power of the foundational OpenEdge application along with connectivity solutions via Progress DataDirect, the benefits of unstructured data in Progress MarkLogic and the ability of Progress Semaphore to transform information into meaningful and actionable intelligence.
Ainsworth’s keynote set the tone for various workshops and sessions, where participants engaged in hands-on exercises with the latest features of OpenEdge while expanding their knowledge in the new field of Generative AI. Rob Straight, Senior Director of OpenEdge Product Management, discussed what’s next for OpenEdge during his highly anticipated Roadmap talk. Again, enhancing productivity with AI took center stage, but equally important focus areas included cloud, security and integration.
All of the sessions—from conversations around elevating developer productivity with ABL to feature deep dives like the specifics of Dynamic Data Masking and Transport Layer Security—were designed to equip attendees with actionable insights and practical skills to build trustworthy, accurate and scalable applications with OpenEdge.
Recognizing Partner Achievements: 2024 OpenEdge Partner Awards
The PUG Boston and OpenEdge World Tour combined event also celebrated the achievements of Progress’ North American partner community through the 2024 OpenEdge North America Partner Awards. These awards highlight partners who have made significant contributions to their industries by leveraging OpenEdge to drive business growth and innovation.
The Software Vendor of the Year Award went to Vermont Systems, a company that has pioneered recreation management software for parks and recreation departments, including military organizations. By using OpenEdge, Vermont Systems can deliver cutting-edge solutions that support community engagement with a commitment to fairness and equity.
ISCorp was awarded Cloud Services Provider of the Year for its excellence in delivering secure, private cloud solutions. ISCorp’s expertise has enabled independent software vendors (ISVs) based on Progress technology to achieve seamless cloud transitions, enhancing the end-user experience and adoption of cloud-based applications.
The Industry Achievement Award went to FDM4, a partner known for its ERP and warehouse management software. FDM4 demonstrates a deep commitment to industries like apparel and sporting goods, providing solutions that help businesses seamlessly integrate new sales channels and adapt to evolving market needs.
The Innovation & Advancement Award was awarded to DMSi for their role in driving the future capabilities of the OpenEdge ecosystem. With a focus on modernization, DMSi plays a critical role in driving the adoption of new OpenEdge functionalities, particularly in areas like UI/UX and integration technologies, helping their clients achieve transformative outcomes.
Carrier Logistics received the SaaS Growth Award for its leadership in developing a SaaS version of its transportation and freight management solutions. By leveraging OpenEdge, Carrier Logistics has expanded its market reach and offers customers a more flexible, cost-effective solution.
Lastly, the Rising Star Award was presented to The Picas Group. Known for their innovative greenhouse management software tailored to the horticulture industry, The Picas Group leverages OpenEdge 12 to enhance their software's capabilities, connecting it with tools from FedEx and Power BI to exceed customer expectations.
A Platform for Collaboration and Future Growth
All the 2024 PUG Challenge and OpenEdge World Tour events underscored the vital role that in-person events play for the OpenEdge community. By bringing together developers, database administrators, business executives and industry leaders, these events foster a sense of collaboration and shared learning that is essential for continued innovation.
As Progress continues to evolve the OpenEdge platform, it’s clear that the OpenEdge community, individuals committed to the future success of the application and database, will play a central role in this journey. The success stories from this year’s Partner Awards and the many PUG Challenge sessions showcase how partners are using OpenEdge to deliver real value for their customers and drive transformative business outcomes.
The 2024 PUG Challenge and OpenEdge World Tour have set the stage for the next chapter of OpenEdge, one where innovation, community and technology converge to build the future. Whether you’re a seasoned OpenEdge user or new to the platform, there’s never been a better time to join this thriving community and discover how Progress OpenEdge can help drive your organization forward. See you in 2025!
Joelle Andrews
Joelle Andrews is a Product Marketing Manager focused on Progress Customer Care. Joelle’s past experience includes two years with the DataDirect team and a decade of experience in other product marketing, marketing automation, and sales roles. Outside of work, Joelle loves hiking, getting lost in a book, rescuing cats, and traveling the world.