Akamai shares surge with new service
Akamai Technologies Inc. today introduced a service designed to expand its client base to business customers beyond online media, a move that sent its shares up 10 percent.
Cambridge-based Akamai is best known for helping media companies deliver graphics, video, and music to consumers by finding less congested routes over the Web.
Amid increased competition from Limelight Networks Inc. and other rivals, Akamai launched a service called IP Application Accelerator to boost the speed and quality of e-mail, voice over Internet protocol services, and file transfers within an organization.
The service also speeds up access for employees using wireless and remote fixed-line networks and will help boost sales to a wide range of businesses, Akamai said.
"Akamai is now expanding its product portfolio to focus on enterprises, making enterprises more efficient in using applications," said Willie Tejada, vice president of product management.
Akamai said the need for such services is increasing as more companies expand their global operations, with employees and business partners becoming more dispersed.
(Reuters)
