Highwinds Launches StrikeTracker 2.0 Beta with New Features and Enhanced Analytics

NEW YORK, May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Highwinds^®, a leader in content delivery, network and IP services, today announced that it is previewing the latest version of its award-winning StrikeTracker^® console this week at Streaming Media East.  StrikeTracker delivers real-time reporting, analytics and content management to Highwinds' content delivery network (CDN) customers.  Highwinds is also pleased to announce Highwinds TAP (Technology Access Program), which enables forward-thinking companies to experience Highwinds' latest innovations, such as StrikeTracker 2.0 Beta, before they become publicly available.

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StrikeTracker is a value-add technology that has achieved status as the industry's leading CDN console since its initial launch in 2008.  Over the past several years, it has received customer praise and public recognition alike – including a Streaming Media European Readers' Choice Award for Reporting and Analytics, and selection as a Streaming Media Editors' Pick – for its rapid provisioning, content control, real-time analytics and self-service tools.

"StrikeTracker has always been a shining example of Highwinds' development capabilities and has helped us differentiate our CDN offering," said Steve Liddell, president of Content Delivery and Network Services for Highwinds.  "And now StrikeTracker 2.0 significantly improves on this.  We've listened to our customers and developed what we think is a unique, game-changing console that far surpasses the capabilities of its counterparts.  With the announcement of Highwinds TAP, we're going to allow a select number of customers to access it first."

StrikeTracker has been completely rebuilt to provide optimum support for Highwinds' expanded CDN portfolio.  Highwinds has integrated new features and has made significant feature enhancements in this new version.  The company's focus remains on creating advanced self-service functions, while continuing to deliver on its promise to provide the industry's best analytics.  Key features include:

• Instantly actionable analytics and data visualization intelligence that provides increased user control and at-a-glance statistics shown in real-time charts and graphs.  For example, a new "heat grid" helps content owners better understand their content popularity, trends and demographics by illustrating "hot" and "cold" spots.  This enables rapid response to content and viewer behavior by optimizing content monetization strategies in real time.

• Self-service, instant adaptive bitrate streaming configuration that places new multi-protocol streaming tools directly into the hands of customers.  Further expanding on Highwinds' vision of providing its customers with complete content command and control, this new toolset enables customers to self-configure content for multiple devices.

• Second-generation cache architecture and enhanced content origin tools that improve customers' direct management and self-provisioning of push/pull and v-host policies.  Customers can also adjust origin policies in real time to ensure an optimum budget-to-performance ratio.

• Fresh prosumer design with a reconfigured dashboard that enables users to view the most important data immediately upon login.  The entire interface has been enhanced for improved usability.

Highwinds is currently accepting new companies into its Technology Access Program, which will provide them with immediate access to StrikeTracker 2.0 Beta.  TAP members will have advanced access to select Highwinds' technologies and actively participate in shaping the future of the Highwinds System Suite™, StrikeTracker and other Highwinds technologies.  In addition to StrikeTracker 2.0 Beta, Highwinds' multi-protocol Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) Streaming is also now available to TAP members. To learn more and to express interest in becoming a TAP member, please visit www.highwinds.com/partners/technology-access-program.php.

About Highwinds Network Group, Inc.

Highwinds is a content delivery, network and IP services business that offers a comprehensive suite of solutions, including CDN, IP transit, transport, peering, colocation, content storage and IP software.  The company delivers content and rich media over its high-performance RollingThunder^® network to millions of global users every day.  Highwinds' CDN customers gain unprecedented command and control with its StrikeTracker^® console and open APIs.  Highwinds is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla., and maintains data centers around the world.  For more information, visit www.highwinds.com.

Highwinds, RollingThunder and StrikeTracker are registered trademarks, and System Suite is a trademark, of Highwinds Network Group, Inc.

SOURCE Highwinds Network Group, Inc.