As a powerful middleware component, the Kafka Adapter for SAP Integration Suite connects SAP systems bidirectionally with Apache Kafka – both cloud-native and in hybrid scenarios. Since it reliably processes event-driven data streams and enables message exchange between SAP Cloud Integration Iflows and Kafka topics, it is the ideal integration layer for modern SAP landscapes. As the successor to the KaTe Adapter for SAP Process Orchestration (SAP PO), it also offers state-of-the-art features for seamless SAP integration.

With the adapter, SAP Cloud Integration Iflow messages can be published as Kafka records, and Kafka records can be subscribed to as Iflow messages. Kafka keys, headers, and payloads are automatically translated into Iflow messages – and vice versa. In addition, the following core features are available:

• Full support for Avro, Protocol Buffers, and JSON, including schema registry and automatic schema generation
• Topics, partitions, and reliability settings (ack mode, consumer commits) are flexibly configurable
• Batch processing: n Kafka records as one Iflow message
• Filtering by headers, keys, and data content
• Fully integrated into SAP Cloud Integration, observable and debuggable

Because regulated environments have special requirements, the Kafka Adapter for SAP Integration Suite meets the highest security standards. Specifically, the following protocols and methods are supported:

• Kafka Security Standards: PLAIN, PLAIN_SASL, SASL_SSL, SASL-Plain/SASL-SCRAM
• OAuth2 and client certificate authentication for broker and service registry connections
• Field-Level Encryption (CSFLE) and Payload Encryption (CSPE) for sensitive data
• Compliance-ready for SOC 2, GDPR, and ISO 27001

Thanks to integrated batch processing, filtering, and flow control, the adapter delivers high-performance streaming even at high data volumes, so that even large amounts of data are reliably processed. Messages can be filtered by headers, keys, or data content and bundled into optimized batches.

For stable data processing, both automated and manual error handling are available. Serialization errors, data transformation errors, or Iflow errors can be forwarded to an error destination or deduplicated, so that continuous operation is always guaranteed.

While the SAP standard Kafka adapter covers only basic functions, the KaTe Kafka Adapter offers significantly more flexibility and depth. Specifically, these include:

• Support for arbitrary stream positions and freely definable group names
• Compatibility with Avro, Protocol Buffers, JSON, and schema registries with automatic schema generation
• Batch processing in a single Iflow execution
• Advanced error handling – both manual and automated – including for deserialization errors
• Filtering and deduplication for higher data quality and optimized data throughput
• Field-Level and Payload Encryption (CSFLE/CSPE)
• Flexible private network access to Kafka brokers, schema registries, and OAuth 2.0 identity providers through SAP Cloud Connector.

The KaTe Kafka Adapter supports SAP Cloud Connector for hybrid integration scenarios. It enables SAP Cloud Integration and SAP Edge Integration Cell to reach on-premises Kafka brokers, schema registries, and OAuth 2.0 identity providers without exposing them directly to the public internet.

Yes, the KaTe Kafka Adapter is available for both SAP Process Orchestration and the SAP Integration Suite. Existing SAP PO integrations can therefore be transferred to the Integration Suite without significant migration effort, adjustments, or refactoring.

You determine your own timeline and roadmap. Because your investments in SAP PO integrations are fully preserved, neither unforeseen risks nor commercial follow-up questions arise.