Case study
Automating CDN Operations at Marriott International
Problem
Content Delivery Network (CDN) operations relied heavily on manual intervention, creating bottlenecks, slowing cache management, and overloading the systems team.
Solution
Designed and implemented a flexible Harness pipeline with modular deployment capabilities, integrating “Akamai as Code” automation for cache clearing, reporting, and user access management.
Result
Reduced manual workload, enabled developer self-service for cache operations, and improved CDN reliability and responsiveness.
In early 2024, Marriott International’s CDN operations were efficient but constrained by their dependence on manual processes. The team managed Akamai configurations, handled cache clearing, and generated reports — all tasks that often required a dedicated engineer’s time.
While effective in execution, the system was a bottleneck. Developers who needed a cache cleared or a report generated had to file requests with the CDN team, leading to delays, particularly during high-traffic events or urgent content updates. The manual workflow also increased the risk of human error, and the lack of automation made scaling these operations challenging.
Strategic Actions
As Senior Systems Engineer, I initiated a program to modernize CDN operations through automation and pipeline-driven delivery:
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Harness Pipeline Development
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Built a flexible Harness deployment pipeline with modular stages, allowing the same pipeline to be reused for multiple deployment scenarios.
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Enabled local development using containers to mirror pipeline execution environments, improving test fidelity and reducing deployment surprises.
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Akamai as Code Integration
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Spearheaded the “Yakamai” project, leveraging Akamai APIs to manage key CDN functions programmatically.
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Automated cache clearing by content provider code or cache tags, eliminating the need for manual web portal actions.
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Integrated user access management into the pipeline, allowing permissions changes to be tracked and version-controlled.
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Self-Service Enablement
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Developed Backstage automations, enabling developers to clear caches themselves without needing to open a ticket.
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Provided detailed training on GitOps, CI/CD, and CDN operations so teams could confidently use the self-service tools.
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Impact
The automation overhaul transformed Marriott’s CDN management:
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Manual workload reduced significantly, freeing the CDN team to focus on higher-value engineering work.
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Faster response times for cache operations, cutting turnaround from hours to minutes.
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Increased reliability of cache clearing through standardized, tested automation scripts.
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Empowered developers with tools to handle their own CDN needs, boosting autonomy and reducing operational friction.
The initiative not only improved day-to-day operational speed but also established a long-term foundation for scalable CDN management at Marriott International. The “Akamai as Code” approach positioned the company to adapt quickly to traffic demands and evolving content delivery strategies.