Host Europe Adopts Application Packaging Standard for Software as a Service, Developed by SWsoft

December 17, 2007; 08:30 AM

HERNDON, Va., December 17, 2007 – SWsoft today announced that Host Europe, a leading hosting provider in Germany with more than 100,000 customers, is delivering hosted applications based on the Application Packaging Standard (APS) developed by SWsoft. Now, Host Europe customers can get one easy-to-use interface for adding and removing web applications with just a few clicks.
The APS standard defines a format for packaging and provisioning software applications running on hosted platforms that simplifies integration and makes it easier to deliver software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions.
Host Europe unveiled APS applications for its WebPack and WebPack Pro hosting packages, including popular open source applications such as Joomla, MediaWiki and phpBB Forum. While these applications are offered free on the Internet, they require significant time and skill to install and maintain. The APS standard streamlines installation and management of these applications and removes the need for downloads, registrations and passwords.
"By supporting the APS standard, we're building a foundation that will allow us to tap into the expanding market for hosted SaaS applications," said Uwe Braun, managing director of Host Europe GmbH. "SaaS is an industry trend that will dramatically simplify enterprise IT in the next decade to provide exciting new business opportunities for the entire software industry."
In the SaaS model, businesses will have access to lots of applications without the hassles of installing and maintaining software, while paying only for what they need and only for as long as they need it. The APS standard defines specifications that provide independent software vendors (ISVs) with a unified, open platform to create "pluggable" applications that can be delivered by any service provider with minimal costs and effort.
"By implementing the APS standard, Host Europe will be able to offer its customers a greater variety of valuable applications with minimal cost and effort," said Soeren von Varchmin, vice president, SaaS and Service Providers International, SWsoft. "We are pleased to see our Elite Partner Host Europe realize real business benefits as the result of our ongoing Open Fusion initiative to drive an open hosting platform."
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.
About Host Europe GmbH
Since 1997, Host Europe develops and markets premium, reliable and innovative Internet services for private and business clients in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Host Europe won the German Internet Industry Award from the association of German Internet Economy in the category of "Best Internet Hoster 2005." Due to highly fail-proof infrastructure, partnerships with competent technology companies, extensive Internet services and customer-oriented support, Host Europe is one of the leading Internet service providers. More than 25 percent of the companies quoted on the DAX obtain services from Host Europe.
Host Europe is a subsidiary of PIPEX Communications plc, which is quoted on the New Market of England (AIM). PIPEX is one of the leading Internet service and broadband providers in England. Today, the Pipex group hosts more than 1.5 million domains. It also maintains more than 10, 000 dedicated/ co-located servers in nine data centers in Germany and England. For more information, visit www.hosteurope.de
About SWsoft
SWsoft is a global leader in virtualization and automation software that helps consumers, businesses, and service providers optimize their use of technology. The company's software is used by more than 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. For more information, visit www.swsoft.com
# # #