SWsoft Alliance Program Boosts .NET-like Software Sales for Macromedia, Versign, Miva, Planet Intra

Business Wire, Feb 6, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

S. SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 6, 2002

Top ISVs Rush to Meet Demand for Hosted Applications; Virtuozzo Technology Brings Mainframe Functionalities on Low-cost Linux Servers

SWsoft, Inc., an advanced server and networking technology company, responded to increased demand for Internet-based application sales by announcing a alliance program with initial members Macromedia, Miva, Planet Intra and other top ISVs to enable sales, provisioning, licensing and billing of software in a hosted environment. The alliance program builds on SWsoft's successful relationships with Intel and Dell and enables efficient software sales in hosting environments through SWsoft's flagship product, HSPcomplete.

Virtuozzo, the technology behind HSPcomplete, allows upwards of 800 virtual operating systems, or "virtual environments" (VEs) to exist on a physical Intel-based server. It is the only technology that supports shared, dedicated and complex dedicated hosting environments, creates a seamless and customizable reseller channel and gives service providers a unified interface by which to manage all aspects of their business. Customers can buy additional value-added services online and migrate to different service plans automatically, requiring little or no effort on the part of the hosting company.

"There is huge demand for the right types of Internet-based applications," said Craig Oda, VP of Business Development for SWsoft. "Our customers were getting many requests for applications, but were having a difficult time with deployment, license management and billing."

Similar to Microsoft's .NET program, SWsoft's partner program gives companies access to technologies that enable Internet-based applications. However, instead of using the .NET framework, SWsoft uses open-architecture Virtuozzo, a technology that sprang from concepts proven by IBM's mainframe. Instead of Windows, SWsoft uses Linux, an OS phenomenon that is increasingly being used for Internet servers. In an effort to help Linux gain an even stronger position in the server market, SWsoft has focused its engineers, including Alexey Kuznetsov, leader of Linux TCP/IP networking code development, to raise Linux to that of 24x7 telecommunications standards.

"In light of the recent failure of companies like Exodus and PSINet, Web hosting companies are looking for ways to effectively scale operations and cut costs," said Jeb Bolding, Senior Analyst with Enterprise Management Associates. "Virtuozzo (and HSPcomplete) saves these companies valuable time and money, enabling them to affordably offer managed applications and services."

"We integrated Virtuozzo to handle business customers in high volume and found that our SMB customers were asking for Internet-based applications," Gregor Loocke, CTO, Hostica, a hosting provider with over 10,000 SMB customers. "Through Virtuozzo, within the HSPcomplete solution, and SWsoft's software partners, I can sell these SMBs the customized services they want -- in high volume. We pass the cost savings on to customers, giving them managed application services at affordable prices. This would not be possible without the HSPcomplete solution."

"The most critical thing for operating systems on the Internet is scale. IBM's Linux mainframe scales extremely well and is penetrating into data centers," said Alexander Tormassov, Chief Scientist, SWsoft. "Virtuozzo compliments the mainframe, bringing this functionality to low-cost x86 boxes and, essentially, to the mass market. As Linux is optimal for scalability, I predict that going forward, we'll only see Linux on mainframes and Linux with Virtuozzo-like features. ISVs are quickly realizing the potential of this technology."

Macromedia www.macromedia.com

Macromedia's (NASDAQ: MACR) Web site development software enables developers to rapidly and cost-effectively build Web applications. Design tools such as DreamWeaver and Flash, in addition to server products like ColdFusion, can now be bought and automatically provisioned from Web hosting companies that use the HSPcomplete solution.

Versign www.versign.com

Versign is the leading provider of digital trust services to the end-user, SMBs and enterprises. The most widely used security products on the Web, Versign provides embedded protection against fraud and enables activity over the Internet to be conducted safely and freely.

Miva www.miva.com

Miva is the leading provider of e-commerce platforms for channels that target small to mid-size businesses. The Miva e-commerce platform is used by many Web hosting companies to enable customers to quick and effectively implement e-commerce activity on their Web site.

Planet Intra www.planetintra.com

Planet Intra's information management software provides companies a central place for ideas, documents and images, while also creating an internal community for employees. The partnership with HSPcomplete will allow prospective customers to purchase and begin using the software instantly.