What about Akamai?
Market leader Akamai Technologies agreed to the terms of the shootout, submitted a request for proposal and participated in the live-event network performance and live-event first-hand tests, then decided to pull out of the study, citing concerns about the accuracy of the test measurements.
Network World and Keynote Systems stand behind the methodology used, but we decided to honor Akamai's request to not be included in the study summary or Scorecard. However, we also decided to share with readers what we did learn about Akamai's service prior to its decision to withdraw.
During the one-hour live-event network performance test, Akamai's audio packet loss was 0.1%, and 0.08% recovered. For video packets, Akamai had a 0.13% packet loss, and 0.06% recovered. Additionally, Akamai rendered its stream at 17.5 frame/sec.
When it came to the RFPs, both of Akamai's proposals sold us on the company's capabilities and infrastructure. It scored a 9 on both, a full point above Activate and Yahoo Broadcast. We were particularly impressed with the way its proposal offered turnkey products and services to address the challenges our fictitious customers faced. In addition to clear explanations of what would be delivered and how much it would cost, the proposals contained detailed workflows, specifying what would need to happen for the customer to have a successful experience.
Akamai's proposals had a detailed description of the company's streaming technology architecture, customer service integration and clear service-level agreements. During the supporting interview (following submission of the proposal), we were shown the newly released "I am Akamai" customer portal, a cornerstone of Akamai's next-generation application services platform.
For the live-event first-hand test, Akamai brought in ACT Teleconferencing, a Denver provider and reseller of the Akamai Conference service (which is only available to third-party providers). ACT's customer support staff thoroughly and professionally planned the event, including preflight tests with our videoconferencing equipment. Using the full-featured Akamai Conference network and Akamai ForumPresents Plus' suite of management tools, the event should have gone flawlessly. When the rubber met the road, unanticipated audio problems compromised the user/presenter experience and introduced a 10-minute delay in start time.
During the event, moderators could view participant activities in real time, and after the event we were shown detailed reports that were on par with those generated by Activate and Yahoo Broadcast's application services platforms.
We were disappointed that Akamai did not want to complete the project, but we also feel a need to explain the situation to readers who are considering using the Akamai Streaming Media services and wondering why it was not included in this report.
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