Kai Waehner

bridging the gap between technical innovation and business value for real-time data streaming, processing and analytics

When (Not) to Use Queues for Kafka?

Apache Kafka has long been the foundation for real-time data streaming. With the release of Queues for Kafka (QfK) in…

4 days ago

Diskless Kafka at FinTech Robinhood for Cost-Efficient Log Analytics and Observability

Diskless Kafka is transforming how fintech and financial services organizations handle observability and log analytics. By using the Kafka protocol…

1 week ago

Shift Left in Automotive: Real-Time Intelligence from Vehicle Telemetry with Data Streaming at Rivian

Rivian and Volkswagen, through their joint venture RV Tech, process high-frequency telemetry from connected vehicles using Apache Kafka and Apache…

2 weeks ago

Etihad Airways Makes Airline Operations Real-Time with Data Streaming

Airlines face constant pressure to deliver reliable service while managing complex operations and rising customer expectations. This blog post explores…

3 weeks ago

Stream Processing on the Mainframe with Apache Flink: Genius or a Glitch in the Matrix?

Running Apache Flink on a mainframe may sound surprising, but it is already happening and for good reason. As modern…

1 month ago

10 FinTech Predictions That Depend on Real Time Data Streaming

Financial services companies are moving from batch processing to real time data flow. A data streaming platform enables financial institutions…

2 months ago

Top Trends for Data Streaming with Apache Kafka and Flink in 2026

Each year brings new momentum to the data streaming space. In 2026, six key trends stand out. Platforms and vendors…

2 months ago

The Data Streaming Landscape 2026

Data streaming is now a core software category in modern data architecture. It powers real-time use cases like fraud prevention,…

2 months ago

Life as a Lufthansa HON Circle Member: Inside the Ultimate Frequent Flyer Status

Reaching Lufthansa HON Circle status was both a personal milestone and a significant financial investment. Since my employer covers only…

2 months ago

CARIAD’s Unified Data Platform: A Data Streaming Automotive Success Story Behind Volkswagen’s Software-Defined Vehicles

The automotive industry transforms rapidly. Cars are now software-defined vehicles (SDVs) that demand constant, real-time data flow. This post highlights…

2 months ago