The business world tends to slow down for the last week of the year, as even the most committed of workaholics seeks out a little respite during the holiday season. The hosting business was not entirely dormant over the holidays, however, as a handful of hosting companies closed out the year with announcements of major milestones, and even the introduction of a collection of new services.
Web hosting provider IPOWER reported that it had celebrated the relocation of its headquarters to its Phoenix facility on December 16. The city’s Mayor, Phil Gordon, and Vice Mayor, Michael Johnson spoke at the event, alongside IPOWER CEO Thomas Gorny. IPOWER says the company spent 2005 moving its executive team to the new headquarters and building its Phoenix infrastructure, which includes a fully functional data center.
Canadian Web host and data center operator Q9 Networks announced that it had had appointed Tim Smart the company’s chief financial officer beginning January 3, 2006. Smart, who formerly held the position of VP finance for Q9 Networks replaces Samir Zabaneh in the role of CFO.
Web hosting provider Dataside announced last week that it had completed its third quarter with the largest number of new client contracts signed in the company’s six-year history. Dataside attributes the success to the strength of the colocation market and a rapid growth in the number of managed network service contracts. The company says the addition of its Virtual Core network services enhanced the number of communication technologies it offers to clients, and its level of service customization.
UK-based Web host Nicnames said last week that it had launched a new Web site. The company’s new owners say the re-development was the latest undertaking in a program of improvement that had so far included increased staffing and an improved telephone support system. The Web site redevelopment effort used modern coding techniques and focused on delivering a new look and an emphasis on improving usability. Nicnames says many of the improvements to the site were prompted by customer feedback.
While several hosts marked major milestones to close out 2005, a handful of hosts offered up the usual fare at year’s end, with several new products and services making their debuts over the holidays.
Backup and recovery software developer Sonasoft announced that Hewlett Packard would resell its backup and recovery software for Microsoft Exchange, SQL and Windows servers. Customers can now buy the software directly from HP along with HP-Compaq hardware, making HP’s Web site a one-stop shop to meet the backup and recovery requirements of small and medium-sized businesses. Sonasoft says the products have undergone extensive testing with HP servers, producing customers satisfied with the combined solution.
Small business Web hosting firm ServerPlex announced that it had launched its ServerPlex Onsite subsidiary, which sends technicians to homes and businesses in the San Francisco bay area. The technicians are trained in technologies for preventing system failure and data loss and specialize in providing on-site client education and demonstrations. The new company offers a range of services that includes multimedia device networking and installation, connectivity troubleshooting and configuration, wireless and wired networking and hardware service and installation.
Web hosting provider Internetters said last week that it had launched its own blogging service in response to high demand from customers. The company says the blogging service comes in Gold, Platinum and Diamond varieties, priced at £3.99, £6.99 and £9.99, respectively. Internetters says its new blogging tool is one of a variety of recent improvements to its offering.
GlobalWebBrands division iZoka said it had added new features to its Corporate hosting plan, as well as added several new plans to its offerings. The company says the newly modified Corporate plan would offer 25GB of hosting space and 400GB of monthly transfer for 12.95 per month, and enable the plan to host up to 10 domains. The company also announced plans for two new offerings priced at 4.95 per month and 8.95 per month.
While business certainly slowed over the holidays, it did not stop outright, as some Web hosts continued to turn out new services.
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