Akamai Technologies is set to disrupt the cloud computing landscape by integrating cloud capabilities into its expansive edge network with the introduction of Generalized Edge Compute (Gecko). This strategic move aims to position Akamai as the go-to cloud computing platform for enterprises seeking enhanced user experiences through localized workload execution. Gecko is part of Akamai’s broader initiative to establish itself as a pivotal player in enterprise multicloud environments, catering to the evolving demands of modern applications.
Currently undergoing early trials with select enterprise clients, Gecko is expected to benefit customers engaged in AI inferencing, multiplayer gaming, and social and streaming media. Akamai envisions future applications in emerging sectors like immersive retail, spatial computing, data analytics, and consumer and industrial IoT.
How Gecko will benefit Akamai partners
Akamai’s Gecko is strategically crafted to offer substantial benefits to its partners by facilitating the deployment of generalized computing on Akamai’s existing global edge network. By leveraging the network’s extensive reach, Akamai aims to provide a consistent computing experience across the entire spectrum from cloud to edge. This shift enables Akamai to bring traditional, resource-intensive computing, usually confined to centralized data centers, to the edge of its network. The result is the availability of full-stack computing in numerous locations, overcoming previous limitations in reaching such areas and allowing clients to optimize workload proximity to end-users.
The core objective of Akamai’s Gecko is to unlock innovation opportunities throughout the entire computing spectrum. By integrating cloud computing into areas traditionally challenging for major cloud providers like Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud, Akamai eliminates the need for developers to think about building for the cloud or the edge.
By driving the convergence necessary to bring cloud computing power to the edge, Akamai aims to meet the escalating expectations of developers. This convergence positions Akamai as a pioneering force in reshaping the landscape of cloud and edge computing.
Gecko roll out plans
In a fast-paced yet pragmatic rollout plan, Akamai aims to embed compute capabilities with virtual machine support in 100 cities worldwide by the end of the year. Notably, in 2024 alone, the company has successfully deployed Gecko-architected regions in key locations, including Hong Kong SAR, Kuala Lumpur, Querétaro, and Johannesburg. Furthermore, Akamai plans to expand its global footprint by adding hundreds of cities to its cloud computing infrastructure in the coming years.
The second phase of Gecko, slated for later this year, will see the addition of containers to the platform. Looking ahead, the third phase aims to introduce automated workload orchestration, simplifying application development across numerous distributed locations and striving for a consistent user experience between core computing regions and the edge.
Akamai’s ambitious plan with Gecko signifies a disruptive force in the cloud computing landscape, challenging established norms and unlocking new opportunities for innovation across the computing spectrum.
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