Confluent is an enterprise-ready, full-scale streaming platform that enhances Apache Kafka.
Confluent has integrated cutting-edge features that are designed to enhance these tasks:
- Speed up application development and connectivity
- Enable transformations through stream processing
- Streamline business operations at scale
- Adhere to strict architectural standards
Confluent is a more complete distribution of Kafka in that it enhances the integration possibilities of Kafka by introducing tools for managing and optimizing Kafka clusters while providing methods for making sure the streams are secure. Confluent supports publish-and-subscribe as well as the storing and processing of data within the streams. Kafka is easier to operate and build thanks to Confluent.
Confluent's software is available in three different varieties:
- A free, open-source streaming platform that makes it simple to start using real-time data streams
- An enterprise-grade version of the product with more administrative, ops, and monitoring tools
- A premium cloud-based version.
Confluent Advantage Features
Confluent has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:
-
Multi-language
- Clients: C++, Python, Go, and .NET
- REST proxy: Can connect to Kafka from any connected network device
- Admin REST APIs: RESTful interface for performing administrator operations
-
Pre-built ecosystem
- Connectors: More than 100 supported connectors, including S3, Elastic, HDFS, JDBC
- MQTT proxy: Gain access to Kafka from MQTT gateways and devices
- Schema registry: Centralized database to guarantee data compatibility
-
Streaming database
- ksqlDB: Materialized views and real-time stream processing
-
GUI management
- Control panel: GUI for scalable Kafka management and monitoring
- Health+: Smart alerts and cloud-based control centers
-
DevOps automation that is flexible
- Confluent for Kubernetes: Complete API to deploy on Kubernetes
- Automated Ansible deployment on non-containerized environments
-
Dynamic performance
- Self-balancing clusters: Automated partition re-balancing across brokers in the cluster
- Tiered storage: Older Kafka data offloading to object storage with transparent access
-
Security that is enterprise-grade
- Role-based access control: Granular user/group access authorization
- Audit logs that are structured: Logs of user actions kept in dedicated Kafka topics
- Secret protection: Sensitive information is encrypted
-
Global resilience
- Linking clusters: A real-time, highly reliable, and consistent bridge across on-premises and cloud environments
- Multiple-region clusters: Single Kafka cluster with automated client failover distributed across multiple data centers
- Replicator: Asynchronous replication that is based on the Kafka Connect framework
-
Support
- Round the clock enterprise support from Kafka experts
Reviews from Real Users
Confluent stands out among its competitors for a number of reasons. Two major ones are its robust enterprise support and its open source option. PeerSpot users take note of the advantages of these features in their reviews:
Ravi B., a solutions architect at a tech services company, writes of the solution, “KSQL is a valuable feature, as is the Kafka Connect framework for connecting to the various source systems where you need not write the code. We get great support from Confluent because we're using the enterprise version and whenever there's a problem, they support us with fine-tuning and finding the root cause.”
Amit S., an IT consultant, notes, “The biggest benefit is that it is open source. You have the flexibility of opting or not opting for enterprise support, even though the tool itself is open source.” He adds, “The second benefit is it's very modern and built on Java and Scala. You can extend the features very well, and it doesn't take a lot of effort to do so.”
Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) integrates data quality, governance, and integration with flexible architecture. It supports multiple domains and a data models repository, delivering AI-enhanced data management across cloud-native platforms.
IDMC provides seamless integration and governance capabilities that support diverse data environments. Its comprehensive suite includes customizable workflows, data profiling, and metadata management. AI features, a data marketplace, and performance scalability enhance data management. While its interface poses challenges, its robust matching and cloud-native integration facilities are essential for complex data ecosystems. Users employ IDMC for connecting systems, ensuring data quality, and supporting data compliance but seek better pre-built rules, services, and improved connectivity, especially with platforms like Salesforce. Licensing, cost, and added AI functionalities are areas for potential refinement.
What are the key features of IDMC?
- Data Quality and Integration: Seamless integration ensures data accuracy across platforms.
- Metadata Management: Comprehensive metadata management supports data governance.
- AI Capabilities: AI features enhance automation and decision-making processes.
- Data Marketplace: Facilitates easy access to data across the organization.
- Performance Scalability: Scales performance efficiently to meet growing data demands.
What benefits should be expected from IDMC?
- Enhanced Data Management: Offers robust tools for data governance and quality.
- Improved Integration: Connects disparate systems seamlessly, reducing data silos.
- Cost Efficiency: Streamlines data processes, potentially reducing operational costs.
- Data Compliance: Supports compliance with data privacy regulations.
- Agility and Scalability: Adapts quickly to changing data environments.
IDMC is implemented across industries for data integration, metadata management, and governance. Organizations use it to connect systems, migrate data to cloud environments, and maintain data quality. They manage master data and automate business processes, facilitating data lineage and ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.
