Confluent is in for the long haul in Middle East
With cutting-edge data streaming solutions
Confluent, founded in 2014, is an American technology company headquartered in Mountain View, California. It specialises in real-time data streaming solutions built on Apache Kafka, an open-source platform that handles continuous data flows.
Confluent enables organisations to access and manage data in motion, providing a robust platform that enhances operational efficiency. With a global presence that spans 17 countries, the company has rapidly grown, reaching a workforce of over 1,000 employees and establishing itself as a leader in the data streaming industry.
In an exclusive interview at GITEX Global 2024, the world’s largest tech and startup event, held at Dubai World Trade Centre, Fred Crehan, Area Vice President at Confluent, provides an overview of the company’s strategic focus on the Middle East.
With its exponentially growing high-value data and intensive digital transformation initiatives by private enterprises and governmental bodies, this region is vital to the company’s global strategy.
Excerpts from the interview:
What is Confluent presenting at GITEX Global 2024?
We are thrilled to be at GITEX Global 2024, showcasing our unwavering commitment to the Middle East region. Our partnerships with giants like Google and Microsoft are a testament to this commitment, enabling us to offer our fully managed service and support to the area.
We are introducing numerous new features and innovations, including our recent acquisition of WarpStream, which has enhanced our capabilities. [WarpStream is an innovative Kafka-compatible streaming solution with a unique architecture].
Additionally, we are unveiling more cost-effective ways for businesses to leverage Confluent Cloud, focusing on stream processing and innovations around Apache Kafka. Our solutions are also heavily integrated with AI, which is crucial in optimising data processing and decision-making. This year is fascinating for us!
How do Confluent’s solutions solve Middle East-based customers’ pain points?
Great question! The region’s appetite for digital transformation is immense, and data plays a pivotal role. Companies across sectors are asking how they can leverage data to gain a competitive edge and improve customer experiences. Our mission is to make data more accessible and monetisable, enabling organisations to build data-driven products confidently.
We facilitate data movement across enterprises, ensuring it is available where it is most needed. This accessibility drives real-time decision-making and enhances digital customer experiences, contributing to growth and revenue. For instance, we have helped a leading regional bank improve customer service by providing real-time data insights for its mobile banking app.
What specific challenges do your customers in the Middle East face compared to other regions globally?
There are undoubtedly common challenges, such as data silos, duplication, and integration bottlenecks. Many organisations struggle to access and move data securely across disparate systems.
However, the unique aspect of the Middle East region is the rapid appetite for change and significant government initiatives, like Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE Vision 2040, which are propelling digital transformation. We understand these unique challenges and are here to provide tailored solutions to help the region thrive.
Unlike some regions, the UAE has fewer legacy systems, creating a more open landscape for innovation. The UAE, for instance, has even appointed a minister for AI, signalling a commitment to digitalisation and innovative public services. This forward-thinking approach helps facilitate a quicker transition to modern data management solutions.
What aspects of the Middle East region appeal to Confluent?
As I mentioned, the eagerness for change and leadership in digital innovation are very appealing. Substantial investment in mega projects is taking place, and the region is positioning itself as a hub for digital innovation.
Events like GITEX are at the heart of this transformation. We are committed to the region and its digital advancement. Regional leaders’ drive to create a digitally advanced economy is inspiring and aligns perfectly with our goals.
How have customer needs changed over time with the evolving market?
Customer needs are evolving rapidly, and one of our key strengths at Confluent is our foundation in open-source. Apache Kafka, which we pioneered, is at the core of our solutions. This connection to the open-source community allows us to effectively gauge market trends and customer demands.
With around 200,000 companies utilising Kafka worldwide, we have a pulse on what is changing. We also maintain regular communication with our customers, which informs our product development. Our engineering and research teams are exceptional, and we are committed to being at the forefront of real-time data streaming.
Which sectors in the Middle East do you see the highest demand for your solutions?
The demand is widespread across sectors. Data management challenges are similar whether you are an airline, a bank, or a retailer. Every organisation wants fast, real-time access to large volumes of data—be it for AI modelling or customer loyalty programmes.
Confluent is at the centre of enabling this access. We stream data in real-time and process it on the fly, ensuring it is actionable as soon as it is created. This capability addresses the critical need for organisations to manage and utilise their data effectively.
What challenges does Confluent face in the Middle East, and how are they being addressed?
Building brand awareness is one of the most significant challenges in any new market. Apache Kafka is well-known and has been integrated into many projects.
We are focused on increasing our visibility through targeted marketing campaigns and establishing a solid presence in the market. Another challenge is developing a robust partner ecosystem, which is essential for success. We are committed to hiring talent and forming strategic partnerships with local companies and institutions to bolster our regional growth.
Another challenge is developing a robust partner ecosystem, which is essential for success. We are committed to hiring talent and forming strategic partnerships to bolster our regional growth.
What are Confluent’s growth plans in the Middle East for the next five years?
We have ambitious growth plans. Celebrating our tenth anniversary this year, we are committed to significant investments in our product and services. The acquisition of WarpStream will enable us to bridge our self-managed and fully managed solutions, providing more flexible deployment options for our customers.
Over the next five years, we will focus on enhancing our services and support teams to ensure our customers can fully leverage real-time data streaming. We aim to help them become data-driven organisations and will invest heavily to achieve that.
Data sovereignty is a crucial issue in the Middle East. How are you addressing customers’ concerns about it?
You are right—data sovereignty is a critical consideration. Our partnerships with Google and Microsoft allow us to host data locally within Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This is vital for our fully managed solutions, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Our self-managed platform allows customers to deploy solutions in their data centres or hybrid environments. This combination of options meets the diverse needs of organisations looking to balance control and cloud benefits.
I believe hybrid architectures are here to stay, especially in the Middle East. Organisations will seek flexibility to move between cloud and on-premises solutions based on their unique use cases and requirements.
How significant is the Middle East region for Confluent?
The region is indeed significant for us. Since our entry four years ago, we have seen substantial success and have secured numerous customers across various sectors. The ongoing digital transformation projects in the region also provide a strong foundation for our growth.
We view the region as essential for our long-term strategy and are committed to further investment and support to maximise our opportunities there. Our commitment to the area is unwavering, and we are here for the long haul.
Confluent is poised for significant regional growth, and we look forward to seeing how your innovations unfold.
Thank you! It has been a pleasure discussing our vision and strategies. We are excited about the future and our role in helping organisations harness the power of real-time data.
Featured image: Fred Crehan, Area Vice President at Confluent. Credit: Arnold Pinto
