WebHost Automation Ltd., Helm Control Panel Firm, Acquired by SWsoft

Herndon, Virginia - (The Hosting News) - December 21, 2007 - Virtualization software company, SWsoft, has acquired Helm control panel and billing software for Windows and Bristol, U.K. based WebHost Automation Ltd., with nearly 1.5 million end users worldwide.

The acquisition adds more Windows platform expertise to SWsoft, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, and strengthens its position as a provider of Windows-based automation software solutions. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Both companies are privately held.

Serguei Beloussov, CEO of SWsoft remarked, ''By integrating Helm into the SWsoft family of automation and virtualization solutions and partners through our Open Fusion initiative, Helm customers will be able to take advantage of a wider array of solutions and new business opportunities such as software as a service (SaaS).''

According to the company, for SWsoft, the acquisition adds a significant worldwide customer base, including strong positions in the U.K. and South America. It also extends the reach of independent software vendors (ISVs) who package their software using the Application Packaging Standard (APS) to more end users who can take advantage of their software solutions. Helm customers benefit from an increased range of automation solutions from SWsoft.

Mark Hall, Chief Operating Officer, WebHost Automation noted, ''Helm customers and partners will benefit from the depth and breadth of solutions and resources offered by SWsoft. As a profitable and rapidly growing company, SWsoft provides the stability and support required by customers investing in software infrastructure solutions.''

John Zanni, Managing Director of Worldwide Hosting for Microsoft Corp. remarked, ''The increasing demand for Windows-based solutions in the hosting industry is providing a tremendous growth opportunity for application and tool vendors. Integrating Helm into its portfolio gives SWsoft the means to reach a wider audience and provider a fuller, richer experience to its customers.''

SWsoft will maintain existing Helm development resources and continue to support Helm solutions through SWsoft's 24x7 support centers. Over time, SWsoft will incorporate the best features of Helm with existing SWsoft products.

This effort follows 3 automation software acquisitions that SWsoft made just months earlier – Sphera, Ensim Pro and Positive Software.
Open Fusion is an SWsoft technology initiative to improve integration among a wide range of systems, third-party applications and modules, and custom and in-house solutions. The Open Fusion platform enables optimized delivery of SaaS and traditional hosting services to help ISVs and service providers take full advantage of new opportunities in the market. The APS Standard is a key element in this initiative and provides a format for software applications running on hosting platforms.

SWsoft is a global virtualization and automation software firm that helps consumers, businesses, and service providers optimize their use of technology. The company's software is used by 700,000 customers in 125 countries. The SWsoft product line includes Virtuozzo - the leading operating system virtualization solution, Parallels - the leading desktop virtualization product, and Plesk - the leading server control panel. Founded in 1999, the company has offices throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

To learn more about the acquisition, please visit: www.swsoft.com/helm.

For more information about SWsoft, please visit: www.swsoft.com.