Catching up on the holiday period events we noticed IBM’s proposal to acquire California-based Aspera, for an undisclosed fee. This is another of IBM’s tuck-in technology acquisitions which will feed into its sales channels to expand the options and entry points for engagements.
Aspera brings file transfer technology, based on its own IP called fasp, which allows large data files to be moved quickly (e.g. dropping data transfer times for a 24GB file from 26 hours to 30 seconds it is claimed) and providing a faster alternative to ftp as well as cutting through broadband bottlenecks. If the acquisition goes to plan (scheduled to complete in Q1) this will be a valuable addition to IBM’s big data strategy and portfolio. Slow transfer times have contributed to the operational maxim for large data sets that ‘if data lives in the cloud, leave it in the cloud’ but it is not suitable for all types of company requirements. With fast transfer capabilities, data can be moved as needed increasing operational options and easing one of the challenges of big data adoption.
Activity levels around fast bulk file transfer are increasing with emerging vendors helping to move the sector forward. As well as Aspera (founded in 2004), Massive Analytic, one of our latest round of Little British Battler participants is also pushing forward in this area (see the Little British Battler report here). Large file transfer will be an area to watch during 2014 because it will be one of the enablers for big data adoption.