Consumers now expect to go online and see inventory levels in an online store. Traders take the speed of light into account to ensure a trade they place will arrive ahead of others. Telecommunications companies want to offer users premium content and offers in response to the way subscribers are using their network. Soon, electricity distribution networks will configure themselves using instantaneous demand readings from houses and businesses.

In these business areas, streams of events are being generated from websites, stock exchanges, mobile telecommunications networks and sensors – and these examples are set to grow.