SteelHead SaaS combines the Riverbed WAN optimization technology (RiOS) with the Akamai internet optimization technology (SureRoute) for accelerating SaaS application performance. SteelHead SaaS uses Akamai SureRoute to provide a reliable transport across the fastest path through thousands of servers in many countries while dynamically adding RiOS instances at points nearest to the SaaS application provider.

To deploy SteelHead SaaS, you do not need to change your existing network infrastructure. You simply purchase the service and then register your existing branch SteelHead appliances with the Riverbed Cloud Portal. After they are registered, the appliances can accelerate your SaaS applications.

You can use the Riverbed Cloud Portal to register or unregister SteelHead SaaS appliances, obtain the service status, manage SSL certificates, manage licenses, and enable optimization for available SaaS applications.