Key Impacts
- Enabled largest online distribution of software in Discreet company history.
- Delivered evaluation software to over 45,000 unique users in first 30 days of trial.
- Successfully delivered file to international user base: over 50% of user base is international.
- Easily handled large file download—750MB.
- Ensured revenue generation through channels with download completion rates of 75%.
- Maintained brand image during largest online product launch.
- Minimized customer service calls.
Discreet products are used extensively in films such as Lord of The Rings, Star Wars, and The Last Samurai, as well as in video post-production, games, animation, multimedia, television programming, and advertising commercials. When Discreet launched a new version of its popular software, 3ds max 6, the marketing team knew that in order to drive future revenue and protect its strong brand image with the digital creative community, they needed to guarantee a successful online product introduction. The primary challenge consisted of delivering trial software to a large, geographically diverse user base—with 50% located outside North America. Adding even more complexity was the large size of the evaluation software package—more than 750MB total.
After evaluating several options to support the trial software, including internal datacenters and other content delivery providers, Discreet placed its trust in Akamai to ensure a successful product launch. By leveraging the Akamai EdgePlatform to run its online software evaluation program, Discreet delivered the largest online distribution of software in its company history—flawlessly and worldwide. The Akamai solution delivered Discreet’s 3ds max evaluation software to over 45,000 unique users in the first 30 days of the trial—more than double the expected number—scaling on demand to handle peak traffic. The program generated thousands of qualified sales leads, and the reliable downloads minimized customer service calls and download support requests.
"The launch of our evaluation copy of 3ds max animation software exceeded all expectations. Akamai enabled us to effectively reach thousands of prospective customers in minimal time, maximizing the return on our development and marketing efforts."
—Liseanne Gillham, Sr. e-Commerce Manager, Discreet
