The real-time race: Why speed is becoming India Inc’s biggest competitive edge

India's corporate sector is entering a new era of digital transformation, significantly influenced by the speed at which companies can manage and utilize data. Industries ranging from quick commerce to banking are now heavily investing in real-time systems that enable immediate decision-making. This trend includes critical applications such as fraud detection, dynamic pricing, and delivery tracking. At the forefront of this evolution is Confluent, a data streaming company based in the United States, co-founded by the creators of Apache Kafka. Recently, Confluent was acquired by IBM for a staggering $11 billion in an all-cash deal. The firm specializes in providing the infrastructure necessary for “data in motion,” facilitating businesses in processing information as it is generated. In India, Confluent's client roster features digital-first companies like Meesho, Swiggy, and InMobi, which depend on real-time data to maintain high-frequency operations. Gregory Taylor, Confluent's General Manager and SVP for APAC, emphasized India’s emergence as a crucial growth market. He stated, “If we use the last three years as a barometer... we are going to see this kind of compounding effect. The Indian market is growing at a tremendous rate... it is one of the largest markets in Asia Pacific and globally.” Despite being one of Confluent's top five markets, with the USA leading, India is undergoing a significant structural shift. Taylor noted that many businesses are moving away from outdated, on-premises systems, opting instead for modern data streaming platforms, effectively leapfrogging a generation of technology. This transformation is driven not just by technological advancements but also by evolving business needs. Rubal Sahni, AVP for India and Emerging Markets, pointed out that real-time capabilities are essential for enhancing customer experience and managing risks. He elaborated, “In real time, these platforms analyze if there’s a risk or a change in consumer behavior.” This is particularly crucial for financial services, where transactions can be halted if fraud is detected before completion. To meet the growing demand for real-time capabilities, Confluent is expanding its presence in India through partnerships, including with Jio Cloud, to address data localization requirements. The company is also identifying rising demand beyond digital-native firms, extending into sectors like banking, financial services, insurance (BFSI), manufacturing, and public services. As businesses enhance their digital operations, speed is increasingly becoming a foundational element of business strategy in India's fiercely competitive market.