What you need to know
- Microsoft acquired Peer5 to improve live video streaming in Microsoft Teams.
- Peer5 offers an Enterprise Content Delivery Networks solution that helps organizations stream content at scale.
- Customers will be able to continue to use Peer5 services.
Microsoft announced its acquisition of Peer5 today. The move will allow Microsoft to enhance video streaming within Microsoft Teams. Peer5's main offering is an Enterprise Content Delivery Networks (eCDN) solution that allows organizations to stream high-quality content to many people. Microsoft states in a Tech Community post that its acquisition of Peer5 will improve its ability to deliver secure, high-quality, large-scale video streaming within Teams.
Microsoft highlights that Peer5's technology "does not require additional installation on user endpoints or changes to the physical network infrastructure." It also runs in-browser, which optimizes bandwidth usage.
"To manage the new world of hybrid work, companies are relying on live streaming to interact with their workforce, now more than ever," says Microsoft's Nicole Herskowitz. "From company-wide trainings to global all-hand meetings and townhalls, internal broadcasts are crucial for reaching and engaging with employees."
Microsoft also explains the benefits of Peer5's eCDN solution:
Peer5 offers a WebRTC-based eCDN solution that runs in-browser to optimize bandwidth usage helping mitigate impacts to network and line of business (LOB) applications. Its mesh networks are self-balancing and automatically scale as the number of viewers increase. The technology does not require additional installation on user endpoints or changes to the physical network infrastructure. Additionally, the Peer5 solution will allow Microsoft to provide a first-party offering to help customers streamline purchase process and customer support, improving their enterprise IT management experience.
While Microsoft has acquired Peer5, it will continue to support eCDN solutions from its certified partners. Current Peer5 customers will be able to continue to use Peer5 services as well.
Microsoft promises more information regarding its purchase of Peer5 in the future.
Microsoft Teams already supports live streaming videos, but that feature will get better following Microsoft's acquisition of Peer5.
