CacheFlow turns blue
 
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Notch off another company from the caching market. CacheFlow is the latest pure-play vendor to retreat from its caching business.
The company joins the likes of Inktomi and F5, which have decided that caching just isn't paying the bills.
Analysts have said for some time that caching is basically dead. What's really happening is that caching is becoming part of a comprehensive network architecture. Warehousing static content in a box just doesn't cut it anymore.
That's why CacheFlow has been focusing on the security market since the beginning of the year. In February, the company announced its Security Gateway product, which combines Web acceleration, network protection and content control in one appliance. Last week, it continued its evolution away from caching by announcing not only a new, enhanced security gateway product, but also a name change.
CacheFlow has changed its name to Blue Coat Systems.
"Our new tag line is 'The Web security authority,'" says Charles Dauber, vice president of marketing at CacheFlow. "This really leverages the Blue Coat concept. It's slang for a policeman, or a watchman, or an authority figure and really describes our role in the enterprise network and what we do in terms of Web traffic coming in and out. We want to be the authority on what's happening for your Web content."
The company has been struggling with its caching business and is in danger of being delisted from the Nasdaq. But analysts point out that it has trimmed staff, consolidated offices and done what it could to reduce its cash burn. Now its challenge will be establishing itself in the security market.
Dauber says the company's security business has been growing by about 20% quarter over quarter for the last few quarters, while its caching business has remained flat.
The name change will help CacheFlow establish itself as more than just a caching vendor. It will be interesting to see where it goes from here.
RELATED LINKS
CacheFlow becomes Blue Coat
Network World, 08/26/02
Denise Dubie is a Staff Writer covering network management at Network World. She also works as a freelance writer in the Boston area. You can reach her at ddubie@nww.com.
