Yandex Cloud, the cloud platform of Russian internet giant Yandex, has published the source code of DataLens, a Business Intelligence (BI) system that serves as the backbone for numerous Yandex services and external companies on the cloud.

By going open source, DataLens aims to engage not only users and analysts, but also the developers in the BI community. With this move, the company aims to improve and expand the functionality of the product. 

DataLens is a scalable BI system that can handle various data analysis and visualisation tasks, such as creating dashboards, monitoring key metrics, and sharing insights with others. DataLens is also compatible with other open source Yandex products, such as ClickHouse, a column-oriented database management system.

The BI system has been engineered as a query generator, offering connectivity to several data sources and delivering visualisations. What sets DataLens apart is data security; it never retains any information, opting to access databases directly. It integrates with external databases, whether they are hosted in alternative cloud environments or on-premises infrastructure.”

According to Yandex Cloud, the number of DataLens users on the cloud platform tripled in 2023, with tens of thousands of users relying on the tool for tasks spanning the retail, fintech, and IT sectors.

“Publishing source codes is an important step in the development of DataLens and represents another contribution to the world of open-source software from the Yandex Cloud team. We believe that openness will accelerate product development, expand application scenarios, and attract new contributors,” said Grigory Atrepiev, CPO of Yandex Cloud.

Yandex, combines the roles of a search engine, ride-hailing service, e-commerce platform, and AI innovator. Founded in 1997, it has grown to rival global tech firms with its blend of offerings, shaping the digital landscape in Russia and beyond. From delivering search results to powering autonomous vehicles, it integrated all around us.