Internet Solution goes the whole host with Microsoft

Based on the fact that 90 percent of its customers run Microsoft Windows NT-based servers, The Internet Solution (IS) has chosen Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, SQL Server and Exchange Server as the default platform for its ASP services, transaction and dedicated hosting solutions.

According to IS, running a hosting solution must include an established, reliable Internet-based network with fault-tolerant high-speed local peering and international links. The hosting centre which houses the hardware must have reliable, secure and fast access to the Internet. Essential services should include problem management such as performance monitoring, maintenance, backups and disaster recovery , as well as the necessary skills and resources to support the infrastructure properly. "As the online world booms and the development of e-business makes the Internet the key delivery channel, hosting becomes strategic to customers where reliable and efficient distribution of information is vital," says Stephen Traill, general manager hosting at IS. "The costs of setting up access networks, business continuity systems and server facilities for hosting-focused access to the Internet are extremely high, especially for mid-market players. The benefit to these companies of going the outsourced alternative route is that the technology installation and maintenance responsibility rests with us - leading to significant peace-of-mind for customers."

ASP hosting

Capital investment in infrastructure may present a challenge for new players in the market and IS provides ASPs with the necessary networking platform for their hosting requirements. When becoming a Microsoft-focused ASP, software vendors and integration specialists partnering with IS as their network provider will benefit from the ASP framework based on Windows 2000, which combines the IS infrastructure with the Microsoft software platform, allowing them to bring high availability applications to market. The provision of software as a service under the newly-launched Microsoft ASP programme allows IS to leverage the skills and supplied products, to the direct benefit of customers. The recently-announced Piped Dreams hosting solution based on Microsoft BackOffice technologies, offers centrally-managed Microsoft applications.

Transaction hosting

StoreBuilder is a Web-based transaction solution from IS that provides dedicated end-to-end hosting for prospective online merchants wanting to deploy Web applications or e-commerce systems in a managed environment. Based on NT4, SQL Server, Site Server Commerce Edition, the solution is driven by intelligent wizards that guide customers through the development of Web sites which are connected directly to the bank for credit card authorisations. Other functionality includes domain name registration and transfers, tracking of received orders and e-mail notifications to buyers and sellers. "StoreBuilder is designed to make online business and electronic commerce suitable and affordable for small to medium-sized businesses and since it is built on Microsoft Site Server Commerce technologies, it supports all common transaction environments," says Traill.

Dedicated hosting

The dedicated IS server hosting solution provides an end-to-end enterprise-type hosting solution for customers wishing to deploy online applications or e-commerce systems in a managed environment. It also entails the renting of a dedicated server on the IS infrastructure for the customer`s exclusive use, based on Windows 2000, Windows NT4, SQL Server, Site Server Commerce Edition and Exchange 2000.

Microsoft`s technology framework provides a single platform across multiple applications and hosting services, through Windows 2000 Server, SQL Server, Exchange Server and Commerce Server. This allows Microsoft`s partners to manage their high availability, mission-critical applications through a single set of skills.

"Outsoucing of applications to a hosting service provider makes business sense when economies of scale come into play," says Cyril Belikoff, network solutions group manager at Microsoft South Africa. "In the hosting space it`s about tailoring the technology access solution to best suit the customer`s business needs and budget. Microsoft`s business model has always been partner-driven and we are confident that IS is leveraging off the advantages offered by the Microsoft technology platform to delivery high availability solutions to customers."