Cambridge, MA and Somers, NY - October 2, 2001 - Akamai Technologies, Inc.
(Nasdaq: AKAM) and IBM today announced next-generation Internet
infrastructure services that will combine IBM`s WebSphere e-infrastructure
software, Web-hosting and content delivery for enterprises that use Akamai`s
globally distributed network of nearly 12,000 servers at the Internet`s
edge.
Specifically, Akamai and IBM plan to collaborate on ways to use IBM`s
WebSphere e-infrastructure software to manage high-volume transactions and
speed deployment of e-business applications on Akamai`s global network.
The companies will also provide customers with e-business infrastructure
solutions, including Akamai EdgeSuiteSM, through IBM Global Services.
Simplifying e-Business Infrastructure
IBM`s WebSphere software will be enabled to interoperate with the Akamai
EdgeSuite service by leveraging Edge Side Includes (ESI), a simple mark-up
language and proposed standard for the dynamic assembly of Web page
fragments, such as stock quotes and individual catalog prices. By using the
ESI-enabled WebSphere Edge Server and Akamai EdgeSuite, customers will be
equipped to build, deploy, and manage highly dynamic Web sites and
applications that
capitalize on the performance and cost benefits of edge computing. For
example, a retail site could construct Web pages by linking individual
fragments, including a promotional graphic or sale price, targeted and
delivered from Akamai`s global network.
"Web operations are rapidly evolving from centralized to highly
decentralized architectures," said Rob Batchelder, research director at
Gartner, Inc., an industry research and advisory firm. "Critical to this
evolution is the ability to dynamically migrate the application elements of
Web systems to points where they can most effectively be executed.
Technologies which enable this migration are essential to realizing the
potential of a massively distributed, Web Services computing model."
"The Web has evolved beyond simple static Web pages to include more
personalized, dynamic content such as news, stock quotes, and catalogs,"
said Scott Hebner, director of WebSphere marketing, IBM. "The dynamic
nature of the content and applications puts a significant burden on network
infrastructures that were only designed to handle static content. By
enabling WebSphere Edge Server to interoperate with Akamai`s network, our
offerings will address those needs. Akamai provides a network that helps
e-businesses save time and money and will help our customers expand the
efficiency of their e-business infrastructure."
In addition, Akamai and IBM will collaborate to provide distributed
application processing from the Akamai network to enterprises and developers
using WebSphere software. This will move the burden from the customer`s
centralized origin server to a globally dispersed network of servers, closer
in proximity to end users. Pushing distributed application processing
deeper into the network infrastructure will improve performance and reduce
costs by allowing enterprises to develop and deploy mission-critical
e-business applications that take advantage of WebSphere and Akamai`s global
network, without customers having to own or manage all the elements of the
infrastructure.
"The centralized model of Web serving has made way for a more efficient
method of distributed computing," said George Kurian, vice president,
product marketing, Akamai. "Together, IBM and Akamai are enabling
businesses to outsource critical infrastructure through a unified source for
cost savings, significant performance increase, on-demand scalability and
worldwide reach. Given IBM`s leadership in e-business infrastructure
services, our complementary technologies will enable both companies to
further assist Web-enabled enterprises."
Delivering a Complete Solution for Enterprises
IBM Global Services will certify consultants to support the implementation
of Akamai`s services, and establish a Project Office to further the
companies` joint efforts in meeting the e-business infrastructure needs of
today`s Fortune 1000 companies. IBM`s e-business infrastructure includes
consulting, integration, and Web hosting services that provide a significant
advantage in accelerating the adoption of the companies` joint offerings for
outsourced infrastructure.
IBM will also become an Akamai preferred provider of Information Technology
and Services, including IBM iSeries servers, storage systems, server
integration/installation services, and DB2 Universal Database.
Infrastructure Evolution
The expanded relationship provides fully compatible services that leverage
the unique strengths of both companies. The ESI-enabled WebSphere Edge
Server together with Akamai EdgeSuite will allow customers to deploy highly
dynamic Web sites and applications with greater performance, while
minimizing infrastructure costs when scaling to meet large demand.
The WebSphere Edge Server will benefit customers served by the Akamai
network due to its ability to execute high-volume transactions - WebSphere
customers manage billions of transactions per day around the world - and its
support of Web services, which enables the linking and integration of
business applications across a wide spectrum of different computing systems.
In addition to ESI, the WebSphere family of products supports all major open
Internet standards, including J2EE, XML and all of its derivative
technologies such as UDDI and SOAP.
About ESI
Recently published as a W3C Note, ESI is an open markup language created to
define Web page fragments for dynamic aggregation, assembly, and delivery at
the Internet`s edge. As a result, businesses can now develop highly dynamic
Web-based applications that are assembled at the edge of the data center, or
at the edge of the Internet, for improved performance and simplified
infrastructure requirements.
IBM is slated to have beta availability of the ESI-enabled WebSphere
software by Q1 2002. In the meantime, customers using WebSphere Edge Server
today also can benefit from the implementation of Akamai EdgeSuite for
dynamic content assembly at the edge. Akamai intends to begin pilot
projects using WebSphere in its global network in Q1 2002.
About IBM WebSphere
WebSphere is Internet infrastructure software - known as middleware - that
enables companies to develop, deploy and integrate next-generation
e-business applications, such as those for business-to-business e-commerce.
WebSphere supports business applications from simple Web publishing through
enterprise-scale transaction processing. WebSphere transforms the way
businesses manage customer, partner and employee relationships. In addition
to ESI, WebSphere supports all major open Internet standards, including
J2EE, XML and virtually all of its derivative technologies such as UDDI and
SOAP. More information about the WebSphere software platform is on the Web
at www.ibm.com/websphere.
About Akamai
Akamai is the leading provider of outsourced e-business infrastructure
services and software. These services and software enable companies to
reduce the complexity and cost of deploying and operating a uniform Web
infrastructure while ensuring unmatched performance, reliability,
scalability and manageability. Akamai`s services give businesses a distinct
competitive advantage and provide an unparalleled Internet experience for
their customers. Akamai`s intelligent edge platform for content, streaming
media, and application delivery comprises more than 11,600 servers within
over 820 networks in 62 countries. With headquarters in Cambridge,
Massachusetts, Akamai provides services to companies worldwide. For
information on Delivering a Better InternetSM, visit www.akamai.com.
# # #
Contacts:
Felicia Spagnoli
Akamai
617-444-2525
spagnoli@akamai.com
Tamekia Bygrave
IBM Corp.
212-745-3807
tbygrave@us.ibm.com
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