When we look back at 2024, we don't just see numbers and statistics - we see a year that once again proved the importance of open source projects in our digital world. Our global community, innovative product developments and success stories from various industries are living proof that shared knowledge, transparency and collaborative development are the key to forward-looking solutions.
8 Years of Zammad: From Startup to Established Force
This year, we celebrated our 8th birthday – a milestone we’re truly proud of. What started as an ambitious startup has grown into a recognized company. Yet one thing has never changed: our pioneering spirit and unwavering commitment to open-source values.
For us, open source is far more than just a development process – it’s a philosophy that proves innovation, transparency and sustainability can go hand in hand. Our path of self-determined, organic growth without external funding demonstrates that an open-source business model can thrive without hidden features behind paywalls or commercial enterprise version in the background.
New Features for Even Better Customer Service
Improving Zammad is a delicate balancing act: how do we add powerful new features without compromising the simplicity and intuitiveness our users love?
To strike that balance, we don’t just rely on our own expertise – we actively listen to the voices of our community and customers. What do they really need to make customer service even more effective?
With Zammad 6.3 and Zammad 6.4, we delivered some of the most requested features:
- WhatsApp Business Integration: Seamless communication on one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms.
- Checklists: Keep to-dos under control – clear, efficient, and easy for teams to manage.
- New Shortcuts: Browser-wide keyboard shortcuts to make work faster, smoother, and more enjoyable.
- Enhanced Security: A clean MFA setup for pure LDAP environments adds an extra layer of protection for sensitive data.
Sometimes, it’s the simple things that make the biggest difference – and that’s exactly what we focus on.
GitHub Stars and Downloads: What Makes Developer Hearts Beat Faster
What puts a bigger smile on an open-source developer's face than a successful bug fix? Exactly – GitHub stars! And this year, our community has given us plenty to smile about: we’ve grown from 3,500 to 4,500 GitHub stars in just one year. Each star represents trust, appreciation and a whole lot of developer love – and for that, we say thank you!
But that’s not all. The number of downloads of our source code has also given us a reason to celebrate: over 1.7 million downloads worldwide! We like to imagine our code going on a world tour, showing up wherever it’s needed to make things just a little bit better.
Success Stories from Across the Ocean
Speaking of world tours: a particularly inspiring example of Zammad's impact comes from the USA. The Philomath School District has shared how open-source solutions can drive real change in practice.
With Zammad, the district centralized its IT processes and built a digital infrastructure that benefits both teachers and students. The result? More efficient, transparent, and modern communication that makes the school day noticeably smoother for everyone involved.
For us, this is far more than just another use case – it’s a powerful affirmation of our mission: to put software at the service of people, making learning and working more enjoyable. Read more in the interview!
Open Source Live: Event Highlights
Open Source thrives on community and collaboration – and this year, we experienced exactly that at the DINAcon and the DSEE Digital Conference. Both events gave us the opportunity to share ideas, engage in discussions, and showcase how open technologies are driving digital transformation and fostering sustainable collaboration.
Five years ago, Zammad was honored with the DINAcon Award for the best open-source project – a milestone that recognized our commitment to open-source innovation. This year, we were thrilled to return to the DINAcon stage to discuss how solutions like Zammad contribute to digital sustainability and create meaningful impact.
The DSEE Digital Conference offered another inspiring platform, with a focus on empowering nonprofits and volunteer organizations. We explored how open-source tools help streamline operations, improve communication, and make everyday work simpler and more efficient.
Events like these highlight the true strength of Open Source: bringing people together, sharing knowledge, and creating solutions that benefit everyone.
People Make Zammad
Our team is the beating heart of Zammad, and this year we had the pleasure of welcoming five new colleagues to our Global Office. They bring fresh ideas, diverse expertise, and a truly international spirit to the table:
Adrian and Tobias from Germany strengthen our Consulting Team, helping customers get the most out of Zammad.
Deni from Croatia leads our Support Team as Head of Support, ensuring our customers receive top-notch assistance whenever they need it.
Ivan from Serbia adds his creative touch as a UX/UI Designer, making Zammad’s interface even more intuitive and user-friendly.
Benjamin from Tenerife bolsters our Development Team, working to keep Zammad at the forefront of technical excellence.
Andree from Croatia expands our Sales Team, helping us introduce Zammad to new markets and connect with even more people.
True to our motto: Together, we make Zammad – no matter the time zone or location.
Looking Ahead to 2025
With the successes of 2024 behind us, we’re looking ahead to 2025 with confidence and excitement. At the heart of our roadmap are two groundbreaking projects: a comprehensive Desktop Rewrite and the responsible integration of Artificial Intelligence.
When it comes to AI, we’re treading carefully – because data privacy and security remain our top priorities. Our goal is to develop AI solutions that are not only practical and innovative but also safe, transparent, and aligned with our values.
One year down, countless opportunities ahead – here’s to a thriving 2025!