Akamai Technologies recently introduced the Akamai App Platform, a cutting-edge cloud-agnostic service designed to streamline the deployment, management, and scaling of distributed applications. Leveraging advancements in Kubernetes technology, the platform results from Akamai’s acquisition of Otomi from Red Kubes. The new platform aims to provide developers with a simplified experience and greater efficiency by offering customizable templates and frameworks that facilitate Kubernetes fleet management, dramatically reducing deployment times from months to less than an hour, and swiftly scaling production workloads. This development arrives at a critical juncture as the demand for scalable and resilient cloud-based services surges, particularly in the Asia-Pacific and Japan region, where the cloud services market is expected to exceed USD $100 billion by 2024.
Addressing Key Challenges for Developers
A significant theme in Akamai’s latest release is the focus on balancing the avoidance of vendor lock-in with cost management while mitigating complexity and reducing time to value. These are key challenges developers often face when deciding between hyperscaler and open-source solutions. Ari Weil, Akamai’s Vice President of Product Marketing, underscores the platform’s emphasis on harnessing open-source technology to offer flexibility and control without the typical complexity associated with such tools. This approach intends to empower development and operations teams, enabling them to efficiently deploy, manage, and scale applications without the headaches usually attached to managing elaborate systems and infrastructure.
The Akamai App Platform introduces numerous key features, including customizable templates and frameworks that integrate well-known open-source projects. It also supports a self-service environment instrumental for developing and maintaining applications. The platform features a catalog of best practice-based templates sourced from the cloud-native ecosystem, catering to the needs of businesses at various stages of scaling their services. These user-centric capabilities make it particularly attractive for development and operations teams seeking to enhance their service offerings or scale new initiatives. Solution integrators, value-added resellers, and independent software vendors stand to benefit from the platform’s ability to reduce the focus on infrastructure management, easing the adoption of partner solutions.
Simplifying Kubernetes and Cloud Management
The Akamai App Platform aims to simplify Kubernetes complexities by providing pre-packaged solutions and open-source tools, enabling businesses to focus on application management rather than infrastructure details. By standardizing and integrating deployment tools, the platform creates a consistent operational environment across teams, crucial for maintaining smooth operations. Dave McCarthy, Research Vice President at IDC, believes the Akamai App Platform could significantly influence edge native apps and AI inference development, highlighting its importance in the ever-evolving cloud landscape.
A key feature of the Akamai App Platform is its dedication to promoting workload portability through strong support for open-source solutions. This approach prevents vendor lock-in while enhancing flexibility and cost efficiency. The platform also offers advanced security and observability features, including real-time threat detection and comprehensive monitoring tools, ensuring application safety and smooth operation. When paired with Akamai Connected Cloud services, the platform helps develop low-latency, scalable applications that are cost-effective and optimized for performance and security.
The launch of the Akamai App Platform marks a significant step forward in cloud and Kubernetes management, aiming to ease the workload of development and operations teams while providing a reliable, scalable solution for growing cloud-based service demands. As businesses seek to expand, this platform offers a time-saving, cost-effective, and flexible solution equipped with the necessary tools and features for modern digital transformation, potentially setting a new industry standard in cloud and Kubernetes management.