Akamai improves web acceleration

Web acceleration specialist releases enhancements to its Web Application Accelerator

Web acceleration specialist Akamai will today release several key enhancements to its flagship managed services solution for accelerating web-based enterprise applications, which includes a new 100 percent network availability service level agreement (SLA).

Other new features of the firm's Web Application Accelerator (WAA) solution include real-time performance-based reporting, which shows Akamai's internet path alongside the regular public internet path, allowing customers to monitor its effectiveness in reducing latency and packet loss.

Pre-built application-specific integrations for SAP, Oracle and IBM WebSphere mean these apps can be deployed faster and quicker than before, adding extra value for enterprise customers, said Akamai's international director of APS solutions, David Keane.

"The WAA is really focused on extranets and portals for CRM, PLM, HR and outsourcing," Keane explained. "It's very important that if you drive your customers to a portal you have the right infrastructure in place – if the page isn't loading it can become very annoying for the customer."