The Splunk plugin for Grafana has been updated to version 2.1.0, introducing significant enhancements such as support for data links, which allow users to efficiently navigate from logs to traces within Grafana, thereby streamlining data analysis and troubleshooting processes. This new feature is compatible with tracing backends like Tempo, Jaeger, and Zipkin, enabling seamless integration and easier access to trace data without leaving the Grafana interface. Data links facilitate the exploration of relevant traces by parsing trace IDs directly from log messages, which enhances the capability of Grafana to provide a unified view of data across various sources, democratizing data access and improving issue resolution efficiency. Additionally, the update extends the capability of Grafana's existing integration with other data sources like Loki and Elasticsearch, making it a cost-effective solution for storing and accessing 100% of traces, particularly when using Grafana Tempo as a backend. This development allows users to maintain their existing application instrumentation while optimizing storage costs and efficiency, offering a robust solution for modern observability needs.