Automating CDN Operations with the “Yakamai” Project at Marriott International

Problem

Manual Akamai cache management and user access changes slowed delivery and created bottlenecks during high-demand content updates.

Solution

Developed the “Yakamai” automation suite using Akamai APIs to handle cache clearing, reporting, and access management directly through CI/CD pipelines.

Result

Reduced cache operation times from <strong>hours to under 5 minutes</strong>, improved reliability, and enabled developers to self-service common CDN tasks.

In 2024, Marriott International’s CDN team faced growing demand for rapid content updates, especially during high-traffic booking periods and promotions. Cache clearing and user access changes were handled manually through the Akamai web interface, requiring engineer intervention for every request.

This not only delayed content delivery but also distracted engineers from higher-value work. Developers had to submit tickets and wait for turnaround, even for simple operations like purging a set of cache tags.

Strategic Actions

Automation Design
- Architected the “Yakamai” project, a set of scripts and workflows leveraging Akamai’s REST APIs for cache and user management.
- Defined modular automation functions for tasks like cache purging by provider code, cache tag clearing, and user access provisioning.
CI/CD Integration
- Integrated the automation into Marriott’s Harness pipelines, allowing developers to trigger CDN operations as part of their deployment workflows.
- Added approval gates for high-risk changes, maintaining control while increasing speed.
Developer Self-Service
- Built Backstage plugins so developers could initiate common CDN operations without leaving their workflow tools.
- Provided clear documentation and training sessions to ensure smooth adoption.
Reliability & Monitoring
- Added logging and reporting for every automated action, enabling full auditability.
- Monitored execution times and error rates to continuously optimize scripts.

Impact

Cache operation time reduced from hours to under 5 minutes.
Support ticket volume for CDN operations decreased by 50%, freeing engineers to focus on strategic improvements.
Increased reliability, with zero failed cache purges reported in the first 6 months of automation use.
Empowered developers to manage their own CDN needs, improving autonomy and reducing deployment friction.

The “Yakamai” project transformed CDN operations from a reactive support burden into an efficient, developer-driven process — ensuring Marriott could deliver content updates as quickly as its business demanded.