The text discusses the limitations of traditional centralized and batch-based data management systems and the shift towards modern paradigms like data mesh and event-driven architecture (EDA) to better handle data management in organizations. It emphasizes managing data as a product, with clear ownership, defined scopes, and interfaces, facilitated by a self-serve platform to ensure federated governance and interoperability. The article explains how data products can be automated throughout their lifecycle using descriptor files, specifically through the Data Product Descriptor Specification (DPDS) and the Open Data Mesh (ODM) Platform. An example from the logistics sector illustrates how to manage a stream application as a data product, with Confluent Cloud services enabling the creation and management of these products. The text highlights the importance of decentralization and real-time data processing in overcoming the complexities of current data management challenges, advocating for a combination of data mesh and EDA strategies to optimize data handling and innovation.