Novell, Akamai to yoke Web services, software
The networking veteran and Akamai Technologies team up to provide Web content-delivery services and technology to their mutual customers.
As part of the agreement, the networking veteran will combine Akamai's Akamaizer Web content-delivery software with its Novell Internet Caching System (ICS) and Novell Content Exchange technology.
Novell also plans to offer Akamai's FreeFlow and FreeFlow Streaming services to its customers for the delivery of multimedia content, while Akamai will offer the combined products and services to its customers as well, the companies said in a joint statement.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Novell has been struggling of late. The Provo, Utah-based software company recently said it will slash about 900 jobs, cutting its work force by about 16 percent. The company, which has suffered from three quarters of lackluster sales, also said it will take a fourth-quarter restructuring charge of up to $50 million.
In an effort to regain momentum, Novell last month launched its first-ever nationwide television ad campaign, which touts the company's ability to give customers "The Power to Change."
In another attempt to find new sources of revenue, Novell has made moves in the burgeoning Linux marketplace. Just last month, the company signed a deal with Red Hat, a leading seller of Linux software packages, which will use Novell's NDS eDirectory and DirXML software for its Red Hat Network. Red Hat Network is a secure Internet service for managing networks of Red Hat Linux systems.
Cambridge, Mass.-based Akamai provides services and technology for the delivery of Internet content, streaming media and applications.