 |
|  |
 |
|
|
News: Rackspace Managed Web Hosting, Releases American Idol Case Study
San Antonio, Texas - (The Hosting News) - May 2, 2008 - Rackspace Managed Hosting, has released a new case study, outlining the support of 2.5 million online votes, from top rated television show, American Idol.
Rackspace's AKQA (www.akqa.com) is the world's number one digital agency, delivering complex interactive experiences and vibrant customer relationship management, along with strategic consulting, branding and pretty well anything that starts with an 'e'.
Ben Jones, the UK Technical Director for AKQA explained, ''About five years ago we realised the importance of having the right hosting partner. We had been using internal resources and still operate small managed hosting operations, but as the market has developed we quickly realised that bringing a major project to fruition with the velocity that is demanded and keeping it live 24/7 needed huge resource, massive support and constant monitoring. We do not have the desire to become a specialist hosting company - our expertise is in the creation and delivery of highly successful digital solutions for major clients like Nokia, Xbox, Unilever, Microsoft, Nike, Orange, Sainsbury's and Sky. At this time we looked at the managed hosting market in some detail, researching potential long-term hosting partners and discovered Rackspace(r). That was four years ago and we have not looked back since.''
The company connects ideas and innovation to deliver award-winning results for the worlds leading brands. A key factor in any online business is the final delivery of the creative work. Even the best digital marketing campaign can be destroyed by slow delivery. An unreliable server or serious bandwidth restrictions due to massive demand, all highlight the importance of having the right hosting partner. The right hosting structure Ben Jones is the UK Technical Director for AKQA.
Further information released by the company revealed, ''The key to the success of the Rackspace / AKQA relationship has been their devotion and adherence to Fanatical Suppor - their mantra and guiding philosophy. Rackspace has become a vital member of our team and we now view them as a critical business partner rather than a supplier, much in the same way as we have operating partnerships with Microsoft, Sun and Oracle.''
Mr. Jones continued, ''Our decision to host with Rackspace has paid huge dividends. They have become a major technology provider and now help us directly with the specification, building and set up of appropriate customised servers, load balancing and secure firewall protection for each client campaign website or online application. World Digital leader relies on Rackspace We work together; experts and technologists detailing and recommending the most appropriate solution for each application. You only have to look at a client like 19 Entertainment to realise the scope and importance of getting this right.''
For the record 19 is acknowledged as the world's most exciting and innovative entertainment company, led by founder Simon Fuller, with a 23-year track record of changing the way in which the world enjoys and interacts with music, television, sport and fashion, creating massive hits like Pop Idol, the planet's biggest TV franchise, and guiding the careers of household names such as David and Victoria Beckham and other well known names.
Mr. Jones added, ''Managing and hosting the sites for iconic programmes such as American Idol Songwriter were all part of the challenge." You can imagine the problems behind handling up to 2.5 million online votes for contestants, yet Rackspace remained calm and in control by providing burstable bandwidth for the massive influx of traffic whenever it was needed. This combined with the company's 1-hour hardware replacement and 100% network uptime guarantee has made Rackspace the ideal managed hosting partner for any operation requiring time and volume critical applications. In fact the company is rapidly becoming the hosting partner of choice among UK and US digital agencies.''
Mr. Jones concluded, ''Rackspace guarantees the levels of service our clients expect from us, which is why I am very happy to say that they have actively contributed towards AKQA attaining the enviable position of being the world's number one digital agency, and I certainly would not hesitate to recommend them to other digital specialists seeking professional Hosting services.
Doug Loewe, Depth of service and technology MD at Rackspace commented, ''We are delighted to have served AKQA for the past four years and it is indicative of the strength and depth of our service and technology that we have been called upon by the world's leading digital service agency to provide advice and expertise on the development and management of their online facilities and applications.''
Rackspace delivers a diverse suite of enterprise-class hosted IT services to businesses of all sizes. Customers choose Rackspace for its hosting specialization and expertise, backed by the company's award-winning Fanatical Support. By integrating the industry's best technologies and delivering them as services, Rackspace serves as an extension of its customers' IT departments. Because Rackspace removes the burden of infrastructure maintenance and management, customers can focus on their core business. Rackspace's portfolio of companies also includes the Mosso (www.mosso.com) cloud computing platform and Mailtrust (www.mailtrust.com) a provider of business-class hosted email solutions.
For more information about Rackspace Managed Hosting, please visit: www.rackspace.com.
Posted by editor on Friday, May 02 @ 09:16:30 EDT (278 reads)
(Read More... | 6129 bytes more | News | Score: 0)
|
|
News: Web Hosting Automation Firm, Hosting Controller, Opens Office in Canada
Los Angeles, California - (The Hosting News) - May 2, 2008 - Hosting automation solution development firm, Hosting Controller, has opened a new office in Toronto, Canada, in addition to appointing regional sales manager, Roozbeh Hashemiha.
Syed Nauman Hashmi, CEO of Hosting Controller noted, ''The opening of our Canadian office represents an important part of our long-term strategy to expand our international footprint. By establishing an office and expansion to Canada is a major milestone in our company's history, we intend to not only help our existing US based clients further, but also expand our business among international companies in North America.''
This is the latest move in Hosting Controller's continuing expansion across North America. With its new Canadian office, the company will provide sales/customer service to its customers and serve the company's resellers in the North American market.
The Canadian office will be lead by Roozbeh Hashemiha, who has more than 10 years of web hosting marketing experience in both consumer and business-to-business marketing.
Nauman Hashmi, CEO of Hosting Controller remarked, ''We're fortunate to have attracted someone of Roozbeh's caliber to Hosting Controller. He is extremely well versed on HC position in marketplace, as well as the strength and weaknesses of its key competitors. Plus, he has an impressive pool of knowledge and understanding of the Canadian hosting industry.''
HC is a web hosting automation solution that blends the newest technology and advanced hosting features, designed to empower web hosts with new control and server management capabilities. Developed to diversify web hosting servers in cluster environments, the solution is considered one of the most user-friendly and easy-to-use applications providing advanced features and highly demanded services. HC manages cluster of web servers both Windows and Linux and exposes a centralized interface posing as single virtual entity. With provision of backup and restoration mechanism, dozens of Click and Install Apps, free language packs and free tech support for life, HC aims to save customers time and money.
To learn more, please visit: www.hostingcontroller.com.
Posted by editor on Friday, May 02 @ 09:01:34 EDT (181 reads)
(Read More... | 2709 bytes more | News | Score: 0)
|
|
News: Hosting Infrastructure Firm, Foundry Networks, Unveils Enhanced SSL Security
Santa Clara, California - (The Hosting News) - May 2, 2008 -
Performance and total solutions provider for end-to-end switching and routing, Foundry Networks, has unveiled enhanced SSL security, with FIPS 140-2 certified encryption.
Bob Schiff, Vice President and general manager for Foundry's Enterprise Business Unit noted, ''Security is an ongoing focus for organizations worldwide and the growing importance of confidentiality and privacy makes the level of security an even more important factor when selecting networking solutions. In deploying Foundry's ServerIron FIPS-certified application delivery solution, organizations that require advanced security have a powerful and proven solution to protect their application delivery infrastructure.''
In concert with the ServerIron 4G Series of application delivery switches, the solution has enhanced security to meet or exceed the stringent requirements imposed by United States Federal Government agencies and security sensitive vertical industries, such as financial services, federal and health care. Integrated into the ServerIron 4G-SSL-FIPS platform, the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 level 2 certified Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption capabilities deliver physical tamper evidence, role- and identity-based authentication, and sophisticated key management to encrypt web traffic over the Internet.
In a recently published 2007 Computer Security Institute (CSI) Computer Crime and Security Survey, the average annual loss by U.S. companies more than doubled, from $168,000 in last year's report to $350,424 in this year's survey. This growing trend around internal and external security breaches continues to stifle business productivity and cause businesses greater financial losses than in previous years. To prevent similar attacks and secure application intensive networks, ServerIron 4G-SSL-FIPS compact application delivery switches integrate the FIPS certification security requirements with the performance, high availability and security features available in Foundry's award-winning application delivery switches.
The FIPS Publication 140-2 standard specifies the security requirements that are to be satisfied by a cryptographic module utilized within a security system protecting unclassified information within computer and telecommunication systems (including voice systems).
Foundry's ServerIron family of application delivery and traffic management switches is the industry leader in high availability, acceleration, security and scalability for business-critical IP, Web and Voice over IP (VoIP) applications. The ServerIron family provides a total solution for server load balancing, application (Layer 7) switching, server farm and application security, SSL acceleration, compression, and multi-site redundancy. The ServerIron products are almost exclusively used by more than 2,000 of the world's most demanding organizations.
Foundry Networks, Inc. is a provider of high-performance enterprise and service provider switching, routing, security, and web traffic management solutions including Layer 2/3 LAN switches, Layer 3 Backbone switches, Layer 4 - 7 application switches, wireless LAN and access points, access routers and metro routers. Foundry's 10,000 customers include the world's premier ISPs, metro service providers, and enterprises including e-commerce sites, universities, entertainment, health and wellness, government, financial, and manufacturing companies.
For more information about the ServerIron 4G-SSL-FIPS application delivery switch, please visit: www.foundrynet.com/products/app-switch/fixed-systems/si-4g.html
To learn more about the Foundry Networks, Inc., please visit: www.foundrynetworks.com.
Posted by editor on Friday, May 02 @ 08:51:04 EDT (201 reads)
(Read More... | 4466 bytes more | News | Score: 0)
|
|
News: Server Virtualization Firm, Parallels, Reaches One Millionth Desktop Milestone
Renton, Washington - (The Hosting News) - May 2, 2008 - Server virtualization firm, Parallels' Desktop for Mac solution, has sold more than one million copies, as the first product designed to enable the ability to run Windows, Linux or any other operating system and critical applications simultaneously with Mac OS X.
Serguei Beloussov, CEO of Parallels noted, ''Parallels Desktop not only broke down the barrier between the Mac and PC worlds, it also broke down the barrier that kept desktop virtualization from becoming a mainstream technology for consumers and professional users. We will continue innovating to extend our position as the desktop virtualization leader and provide our users with the fastest, easiest and most seamless solution available.''
Since its launch in June 2006, Parallels Desktop for Mac has been recognized with more than 30 major industry awards, including: MacWorld Magazine's ''Editor’s Choice" Award (the ''Eddy''); PC World Magazine's ''Innovation of the Year'' Award; ''Best in Show'' at the 2007 MacWorld Expo and at the 2007 London MacLiveExpo; BBC News ''Best Tech''; and InfoWorld 2008 ''Technology of the Year.''
Parallels Desktop for Mac's success has quickly made Parallels the No. 1 company in desktop virtualization. Today, the software is available in 10 languages - Chinese, Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, and Spanish.
Frank J. Bernhard, Managing Principal and technology economist with OMNI Consulting Group remarked, ''Parallels Desktop for Mac fundamentally shifted the Apple strategy from monolithic to multiplatform. It empowers Mac users with a new level of flexibility and gave them access to enterprise applications that were previously out of reach. The ability to operate business applications with complete transparency between the Windows and Mac platforms via Parallels Desktop is the coup that Macintosh users have been enjoying since the evolution of Intel architecture, and is one of the main catalysts behind enterprise Mac adoption.''
Currently, Parallels Desktop for Mac is in its third generation and is the world's No. 1 selling Mac system utility. The product has introduced a string of industry firsts and innovative features:
-
SmartSelect is a Parallels-exclusive feature that allows users to open any file from Windows or OS X with any program from either operating system. This feature provides the most integrated experience possible.
-
Coherence is a Parallels-first feature that enables users to run Windows applications just like they were native Mac applications. When a Windows application runs in Coherence, only the Windows application is visible, providing a completely seamless user experience. Windows applications can be launched from the Mac dock, and individual Windows applications windows work with OS X's Expose feature.
-
Parallels Transporter is a free migration tool, bundled with every copy of Parallels Desktop for Mac, that helps users migrate entire Windows or Linux PCs - including the operating system, settings and software applications - to Parallels virtual machines in minutes without losing data. This tool is key for those switching from PCs to a Mac.
Parallels Desktop for Mac was also the first virtualization solution to offer support for DirectX and OpenGL 3D graphics. A complete overview of features and functions is available at www.parallels.com/products/desktop.
Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac is available for purchase online at www.parallels.com/buyonline, and boxed copies are available at the Apple Store, Amazon.com, CompUSA, Fry’s Electronics, MicroCenter, Office Depot, Staples, select Best Buy locations, and hundreds of other retailers nationwide. The standard retail price (SRP) of Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac is $79.99.
New users are also welcome to download and test a free, fully-functional copy of Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac for 15 days. The trial product and documentation is available at www.parallels.com/download/desktop.
Parallels (formerly SWsoft) is a worldwide leader in virtualization and automation software that optimizes computing for consumers, businesses, and service providers across all major hardware, operating systems, and virtualization platforms. Founded in 1999, Parallels is a fast-growing company with 900 employees in North America, Europe, and Asia.
For more information about Parallels, please visit: www.parallels.com.
Posted by editor on Friday, May 02 @ 08:39:03 EDT (236 reads)
(Read More... | 5193 bytes more | News | Score: 0)
|
|
News: Web Hosting, Managed Services Firm, iomart, Supports Censorit Internet Safety
Glasgow, United Kingdom - (The Hosting News) - May 1, 2008 - Web hosting and managed services company, iomart, has been selected by the Censorit Internet gaming safety service, to handle the company's managed hosting.
Censorit provides a safe surfing experience for children using WiFi enabled gaming consoles such as Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, Sony PSP and portable media players such as the Apple iPod Touch.
Using the web based portal, parents can monitor their child's internet usage, action unblockme requests from their child - where the child feels they should have access to a website that has been blocked - and manage their personalised blacklists and whitelists.
Dan Makin, the Founder of Censorit noted, ''The great thing about the system is that there is no requirement to download huge software files or install complicated programmes. Internet access is simply channelled through the Censorit system and the child doesn't notice any difference until they try to access something inappropriate.''
Prior to Censorit's launch, Dan selected iomart as his IT partner to provide the entire end to end managed hosting service for the product.
Mr. Makin remarked, ''For me iomart immediately stood out from other providers because quite simply they were there when I needed them. They've been very, very helpful from day one. The backbone of our company basically relies on iomart - if the servers go down the entire solution is offline and that simply cannot happen.''
As a result, not only does Censorit rely on iomart's ability to provide a seamless service, but so do its customers. Any glitch in service which resulted in a failure of the filters could lead to some very unhappy customers.
Mr. Makin added, ''Clearly this was a serious question for me in the beginning, but iomart's data centres are fantastically well-equipped and there are so many layers of contingency built into their systems that any concerns I had were very quickly allayed.''
Sarah Haran, Managing Director, iomart, commented, ''We are delighted to have been chosen by Censorit as their hosting partner for this innovative and much needed child safety solution. We have over 10 years experience in delivering large scale 'always on' type services so we understand just how critical zero downtime is to a product such as Censorit's, and are pleased that we have been given the opportunity to demonstrate this. ''
Mr. Makin concluded, ''I've always felt that iomart has taken a real interest in the business, and believe me - as someone who has significant experience in the data centre industry, that's a rare thing indeed.''
This customer acquisition comes on the heels of iomart being selected by an undisclosed major telecom operator, to provide managed data center facilities, in a 5 year contract. The contract is worth a minimum of 6.75m pounds, excluding the cost of power. Further revenues may be generated from the provision of additional managed services.
iomart entered the data center market in March 2007, with the purchase of 4 non operational data centres in London, Glasgow, Leicester and Nottingham. Following a refurbishment program, the company can now offer over 3,500m2 of high specification, secure and fully redundant data centre space. iomart is of the belief that it now holds a unique position in the managed services and hosting market, it that it can genuinely offer the 'one source' or 'end to end' approach. By combining a decade's experience in managing large scale mission critical hosting infrastructures with the operation of its own data centre network, it can guarantee its clients total accountability.
Founded in 1998, iomart provides services from virtualization, to colocation, and full server room outsourcing, along with a full range of managed hosting services. Each service is tailored to suit client's exact requirements. iomart is recognized as one of Europe's largest and most established data center facilities, hosting and managed services provider.
To learn more, please visit: www.iomart.com.
Posted by editor on Thursday, May 01 @ 09:24:30 EDT (262 reads)
(Read More... | 4661 bytes more | News | Score: 0)
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Find a Host
News
Content
Digg
Newsvine
del.icio.us
Furl
Netscape
StumbleUpon
SlashDot
RSS Feed
Add to Google
Add to Yahoo