General overview:

Akamai's CDN is based on the 'EdgePlatform', a network that covers the globe and is one of the world's largest computing platforms. In the company's Network Operations Command Centre, a complex set of algorithms and applied mathematics that help monitor the web ensures that bottlenecks are avoided and data transport is optimised via the path of least resistance. Their service and comprehensive global coverage allows Akamai to avoid long routes where possible, by replicating and delivering content and applications from servers close to end users around the world instead of from centralised servers, and also to optimise route, by mapping paths across the internet to avoid trouble spots, compressing content, and replicating packets to ensure fast, complete delivery. Akamai specialises in having a comprehensive understanding of internet conditions, and thus the ability to create bespoke tools that can easily be integrated together to solve a plethora of delivery based problems.

Servers and datacentres:

110,000 servers, in more than 1000 networks over 70 countries.

Selected customers:

4000+, including Adobe, Apple, Audi, BMW Japan, FedEx, Fujitsu, IBM Corp., MySpace, Nintendo, Sony Ericsson, US Geographical Survey, and Yahoo!

Unique selling point:

Akamai's 'EdgeControl' is a web-based customer portal that gives users the insights and tools to provision and manage their online business, and allows users to manage and monitor their content over a CDN from one, easy to use, central interface. In addition to this, Akamai maintain a constant view over their network in the Network Operations Command Centre. This ensure that any network blackspots are quickly remedied, and that their platform and customers' online operations are working well.