Stream Processing on the IBM Mainframe with Apache Flink - Genius or a Glitch in the Matrix
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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 mainframes like IBM z17 evolve to support Linux, Kubernetes, and AI workloads, they are becoming a powerful platform for real-time stream processing. This blog explores why enterprises are deploying Apache Flink on IBM LinuxONE, how it works in practice, and what business value it brings. With Kafka providing the data backbone, Flink enables intelligent processing close to where business-critical data lives. The result is a modern hybrid architecture that connects core systems with cloud-based innovation without needing to fully migrate off the mainframe.
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10 FinTech Predictions That Depend On Real Time Data Streaming
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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 to connect systems, process events instantly, and power AI, fraud prevention, and customer engagement. This post explores ten FinTech trends and shows how real time data unlocks business value across the industry.
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Data Streaming Trends for 2026 with Apache Kafka Flink Diskless Cloud Agentic AI
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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.
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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.
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Life as a Lufthansa HON Circle Frequent Flyer Status or Swiss Austrian Member
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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 Economy and Premium Economy, I pay the difference to fly in Business Class and qualify. This post offers a detailed look at life as a HON Circle member, the ultimate frequent flyer status in the Lufthansa Group. It highlights the key benefits that make frequent travel more manageable, the real costs and trade-offs, and where Lufthansa still falls short. It also shares practical tips for reaching and maintaining HON status. A straightforward view from someone who earns it the hard way.
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Automotive Innovation with Data Streaming using Apache Kafka Flink Confluent at CARIAD Volkswagen Group VW
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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.
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Data Streaming Meets Data Lake and Lakehouse with Apache Iceberg and Delta Lake
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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.
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Social Commerce in Retail with Data Streaming using Apache Kafka Flink and Agentic AI
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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.
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Apache Kafka Proxy Use Cases Benefits Trade-Offs - Open Source vs Cloud
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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.
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Stablecoins and Data Streaming with Kafka and Flink for Digital Money and Currency USDC USDT Blockchain
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How Stablecoins Use Blockchain and Data Streaming to Power Digital Money

Stablecoins are reshaping digital money by linking traditional finance with blockchain technology. Built for stability and speed, they enable real time payments, settlements, and programmable financial services. To operate reliably at scale, stablecoin systems require continuous data movement and analysis across ledgers, compliance tools, and banking platforms. A Data Streaming Platform using technologies like Apache Kafka and Apache Flink can provide this foundation by ensuring transactions, reserves, and risk signals are processed instantly and consistently. Together, blockchain, data streaming, and AI pave the way for a new financial infrastructure that runs on live, contextual data.
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