Confluent has announced its acquisition of Immerok, a startup known for its managed Apache Flink service, which will be integrated into Confluent Cloud to enhance its stream processing capabilities. This move aligns with Confluent's strategy to make streaming data the default in modern data architectures by simplifying both the operational deployment and development of data streaming applications. Apache Flink was chosen for its multi-language support, robust processing model, and active community. Confluent plans to launch Flink on its platform later this year, starting with SQL support, and aims to create a seamless integration with its existing Kafka services. This strategic expansion not only solidifies Flink's role as a standard for stream processing but also highlights Confluent's commitment to open-source community contributions, mirroring its efforts with Kafka. Additionally, Confluent's recognition as Microsoft's 2024 OSS on Azure Global Partner of the Year underscores its dedication to delivering top-tier open source-based solutions.