BT Boosts R&D Cloud Services with Aspera's High-speed Transfer Technology

IRVING, Texas, Oct. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BT today announced it is working together with Aspera, Inc., a creator of next-generation data transport technologies that move the world's data at maximum speed, to integrate their innovative file transfer technology into BT for Life Sciences R&D, the first cloud service designed to enable collaboration within the life sciences industry for increased R&D productivity.

Life sciences companies are currently facing a daunting "data deluge" produced by experimental runs in this industry. They need to optimize, manage, transfer, store and protect the vast quantity of data that is being created. To optimize the constant movement of that data, BT for Life Sciences R&D Connect builds on BT's global network and will now leverage Aspera's unique fasp™ high-speed transfer technology, providing secure, predictable and scalable transfers regardless of the size of data, the distance between the endpoints and network conditions.

Aspera's patented fasp™ protocol eliminates the fundamental bottlenecks of conventional file transfer technologies. It provides high-speed, reliable end-to-end transport over public and private networks fully utilizing available bandwidth, independent of network delays and is able to deal with extreme packet loss. Built around that protocol, Aspera's software delivers data transfers that are up to 1000 times faster than traditional technologies, managed through an intuitive user interface, with real-time visual monitoring and bandwidth utilization and sharing controls, and secured through sophisticated authentication, data encryption and data integrity verification.

Bas Burger, president Global Commerce in BT, said: "While tens of billions of dollars of revenue are under threat through loss of patent exclusivity and as the number of new drugs entering clinical trials is dropping, new opportunities are emerging for companies able to access the most compelling, meaningful and insightful scientific data. This requires enriched collaboration, bringing together scientists and resources from all around the world. The terabytes of data required to run experiments are way too large for normal file transfer technologies, often leading to the need to physically transport hard disks between continents. Not a secure, fast or efficient way to share data. Our cloud-based Life Sciences for R&D platform brings speed, flexibility, compliance and security to R&D processes, independently from location. Scientists will be delighted by the competitive advantage brought to our platform by the combination of Aspera's technology with the breadth and depth of the BT Connect portfolio of intelligent network solutions."

Michelle Munson, co-founder and CEO of Aspera, said: "Life Science companies have been unable to take advantage of the cloud as a strategic alternative to building out expensive datacenters because of concerns over regulations and security, and the limitations in traditional networks and transfer applications that prevented them from transferring big research data. BT has delivered a highly secure cloud solution which also meets their stringent regulatory needs, while Aspera powers the use of the BT cloud by enabling the fastest file transfers at global distances supporting researchers worldwide."

NOTES FOR EDITORS

About BT for Life Sciences R&D

BT for Life Sciences R&D was launched in April 2012 as a secure and segregated platform for scientists in pharmaceutical, biotech, devices & diagnostics companies as well as in academia and government. This cloud-based platform allows users to construct and orchestrate in silico workflows and data pipelines to identify new pharmaceutical targets and drug candidates. It also enables research scientists to create global project groups and collaborate using social media tools.

About Aspera

Aspera is the creator of next-generation transport technologies that move the world's data at maximum speed regardless of file size, transfer distance and network conditions. Based on its patented fasp™ protocol, Aspera software fully utilizes existing infrastructures to deliver the fastest, most predictable file-transfer experience. Aspera's core technology delivers unprecedented control over bandwidth, complete security and uncompromising reliability. More than 1,700 organizations across a variety of industries on six continents rely on Aspera software for the business-critical transport of their digital assets. Please visit www.asperasoft.com and follow us on Twitter @asperasoft for more information.

About BT

BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries.  Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services.  BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Retail, BT Wholesale and Openreach.

In the year ended 31 March 2012, BT Group's revenue was £18,897m with profit before taxation of £2,445m.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.  BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. 

For more information, visit www.btplc.com

SOURCE BT