Introduction Queues for Kafka - Apache Kafka QfK - One Platform for Event Streaming and Message Queues Consolidation
Read More

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 Apache Kafka 4.2, it now also supports native queuing, eliminating the need for separate message queue systems for backend integration and task processing. This blog explores how Kafka bridges the gap between stream processing and message queuing, when (not) to use QfK, and how it enables a unified cloud-native integration platform for modern enterprise architectures.
Read More
Diskless Kafka at FinTech Robinhood for Cost-Efficient Log Analytics and Observability with WarpStream
Read More

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 with cloud-native object storage, companies like Robinhood reduce infrastructure costs and gain elastic scalability. This article explores how Robinhood leverages Kafka, Flink, and WarpStream to build a real-time platform that supports trading, monitoring, and compliance at scale.
Read More
Data Streaming in Automotive Industry with Apache Kafka and Flink for Connected Vehicles Cars using Shift Left Architecture Telemetry Signal Processing
Read More

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 Flink. With a shift left architecture and smart filtering, they reduced data volume by 88 percent and enabled over 250 downstream consumer applications to access curated data products. This blog explores how RV Tech transforms raw vehicle data into real-time intelligence, supporting use cases across engineering, operations, and customer experience.
Read More
Real Time Airline Operations at Etihad Airways with Data Streaming Using Apache Kafka and Flink
Read More

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 how Etihad Airways uses real-time data streaming with Apache Kafka and Flink to improve operational efficiency and passenger experience. Based on a presentation at the Data Streaming World Tour in Dubai, it highlights how Etihad built an event-driven platform to move from delayed insights to real-time action. The post also connects this story to other data streaming success cases in the aviation industry, including Lufthansa , Cathay Pacific, Virgin Australia, and Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.
Read More
Data Streaming Trends for 2026 with Apache Kafka Flink Diskless Cloud Agentic AI
Read More

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 are consolidating. Diskless Kafka and Apache Iceberg are reshaping storage. Real-time analytics is moving into the stream. Enterprises demand zero data loss and regional compliance. Streaming is now powering operational AI with real-time context. Data streaming has evolved. It is now strategic infrastructure at the heart of modern enterprise systems.
Read More
Read More

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, personalization, supply chain optimization, and AI automation. What started with open source Apache Kafka and Flink has grown into a critical layer for business operations. The 2026 Data Streaming Landscape shows the most relevant Data Streaming Platform evolution. These platforms connect systems, process data in motion, enforce governance, and support mission-critical workloads at scale. Kafka is the standard protocol, but protocol support alone is not enough. Enterprises need full feature compatibility, 24/7 support, and expert guidance for security, resilience, and cloud strategy.
Read More
Automotive Innovation with Data Streaming using Apache Kafka Flink Confluent at CARIAD Volkswagen Group VW
Read More

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 the CARIAD success story inside the Volkswagen Group. CARIAD tackled data fragmentation. It built the Unified Data Ecosystem (UDE). Learn how Confluent’s data streaming platform, powered by Apache Kafka and Flink, serves as the central nervous system. This platform connects millions of vehicles and cloud services globally. The event-driven architecture helps CARIAD achieve faster development, meet compliance (like the EU Data Act), and reduce costs. The platform unlocks high-value use cases, such as predictive maintenance and AI-powered fleet management.
Read More
Data Streaming Meets Data Lake and Lakehouse with Apache Iceberg and Delta Lake
Read More

Data Streaming Meets Lakehouse: Apache Iceberg for Unified Real-Time and Batch Analytics

Apache Iceberg is gaining momentum as the open table format of choice for modern data architectures. In this blog post, the key takeaways from my talk at Open Source Data Summit are shared, along with the full video and downloadable slides. The session explores how Iceberg fits into real-time data streaming with Apache Kafka and Flink, why streaming into a data lake is complex, and what patterns actually work in production. It also covers technical challenges like schema evolution, compaction, and governance — and how to solve them. Watch the session, review the slides, and learn how Iceberg helps build reliable, streaming-powered data products at scale.
Read More
Social Commerce in Retail with Data Streaming using Apache Kafka Flink and Agentic AI
Read More

Data Streaming in Retail: Social Commerce from Influencers to Inventory

Social commerce is reshaping retail by merging entertainment, influencer marketing, and instant purchasing into one real-time experience. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become active digital storefronts where discovery and transactions happen at once. This article explains how data streaming with Apache Kafka and Flink enables retailers to power social commerce through continuous data flow, real-time inventory updates, and personalized engagement. It shows how streaming unifies marketing, operations, and AI-driven decision-making while helping retailers compete with new AI platforms such as OpenAI that are redefining digital shopping.
Read More
Apache Kafka Proxy Use Cases Benefits Trade-Offs - Open Source vs Cloud
Read More

Kafka Proxy Demystified: Use Cases, Benefits, and Trade-offs

A Kafka proxy adds centralized security and governance for Apache Kafka. Solutions like Kroxylicious, Conduktor, and Confluent enable encryption, access control, and compliance without modifying clients or brokers. This article explores key use cases, best practices, and alternatives such as API gateways and service meshes.
Read More