IBM Acquires Aspera For Fast Data Transfers

Darryl K. Taft,
Big data

IBM is to acquire file-transfer specialist Aspera, to help with faster transfers of big data to the cloud

IBM said Aspera solutions solve data transfer problems across numerous industries and scenarios such as:

  • Life sciences organisations sharing genomic data in the quest to find the next medical breakthrough;
  • Media companies shortening production cycles or uploading hit television shows and blockbuster movies to popular consumer streaming services;
  • Gaming companies receiving the latest software build from third party developers to enable rapid game development;
  • Any individual within an enterprise trying to share and synchronise large files over distance between multiple devices such as a laptop, mobile phone or tablet.

“Our team has redefined how the world’s biggest data can be moved quickly, securely and reliably around the world,” said Michelle Munson, president and co-founder of Aspera, in a statement. “By tapping into IBM’s innovative capabilities and global resources, we will solve ever expanding data movement challenges for our customers now and in the future.”

File Transfer

Big Data © Maksim Kabakou shutterstockAspera advances the transfer of large files where traditional network protocols limit speed and reliability. Typical data transfers over TCP/IP are hampered by network delays or packet loss, even over the fastest broadband networks. Aspera’s fasp protocol delivers the industry’s fastest transmission speeds over any network link regardless of file size, transfer distance or network conditions. Aspera ensures secure encryption of the files in transit or at rest.

By combining Aspera with the power of cloud computing, customers have a practical way to transport big data files to and from the cloud, IBM said. Aspera makes cloud computing even faster, more predictable and more cost effective for big data transfers such as enterprise storage backup, sharing virtual images or bursting to the cloud for increased computing capacity. Its fasp technology is licensed to many leading cloud computing services and will be integrated with IBM’s recently acquired SoftLayer cloud infrastructure later next year.

“IBM invested in acquiring SoftLayer earlier this year and now has the next piece with Aspera,” Attunity’s Schwartz said. “This becomes another critical piece in IBM’s strategy to up its cloud game.”

Moreover, this acquisition builds on IBM’s Smarter Commerce initiative by allowing businesses to accelerate their digital supply chains between partners and suppliers. This also extends IBM’s capabilities in Managed File Transfer with a complementary set of capabilities to help enterprises further gain control and oversight of their data transfers.

The acquisition of Aspera is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the first quarter 2014.

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Originally published on eWeek.