While some may say CDN (Content Delivery Network) has become a commodity – with price being the only real variable you need to look at – the opposite is actually true. The challenge of effective CDN outsourcing is balancing costs against the complex mix of vendors’ capabilities, cultures, geography, service levels, pricing models, and best practices. The motivation to outsource your content delivery network is typically driven by cold analysis of the costs of in-sourcing vs. outsourcing. This can be sparked by a general cost reduction mandate, but the analysis will take place (at some level at least) before action is taken. There is a clear connection between the level of analysis you apply before approaching the CDN vendors and your ability to cut through the complexity and uncertainty to arrive at the CDN network that meet your quality and cost requirements. This analysis should apply to both your needs and cost structure, and match them to the vendors most capable to meet your requirements. The analysis can be tedious but, if done properly, the benefit is achieved immediately and repeatedly with each bill.
Posted in CDN & Streaming | No Comments »
Today’s devious device is a playbook page that’s intentionally left blank. Omitting meaningful measurement from IT Service Level Agreements (SLAs) or leaving them to the discretion of the vendor can effectively nullify their effect along with service credits of 2%-5% of your monthly bill for a single violation up to 50% or more for serious / repeat violations (more…)
