Open Software Platform Enables End-to-End Global Service Automation

Sphera's Java-applet-heavy solution promises rapid deployment of pay-per-use services.

by Wayne Kawamoto [October 31, 2000]

Sphera Corporation announced the availability of Sphera HostingDirector 3.0, an open and extensible software platform to address the mission-critical IT needs of the hosting provider industry.

According to the company, HostingDirector delivers end-to-end global service automation to meet the mounting operational demands of ISPs, MSPs, and ASPs. With HostingDirector, providers may be able to reduce their time-to-market for deploying and managing high-value services to maximize revenue growth.

Sphera HostingDirector's GUI consists of a Java-based applet that runs inside Netscape and Explorer. There is no need to download anything.

HostingDirector 3.0 is designed to be an open software platform that should enable providers to achieve revenue growth through offering pay-per-use applications, while reducing administrative costs and facilitating customer acquisition. The company says that its one-step automated solution facilitates alliances and partnerships with leading vendors to create out-of-the-box solutions for service providers. According to Sphera, HostingDirector 3.0 enables e-commerce, CRM, database, back-office, and marketing applications to be deployed in record time.

Robust clustering technology should enable the remote management of globally distributed data centers, and the Cluster Manager should conduct efficient load balancing and ensure no single point of failure. An open API is supposed to enable provisioning in real-time, which may eliminate the need to take services off-line to add or change account information. Sphera's global license management offers a monitoring solution that may enable providers and resellers to track and report license usage while ensuring effective license deployment.

The central DNS manager should handle all internal registration details. Multi-level reporting may enable precise usage-based billing information to be exported to any third-party billing system. Finally, a new plug-in SDK can enable providers to rapidly integrate new applications into the HostingDirector management platform.

"ISPs, ASPs, and MSPs need the ability to keep pace with explosive growth and rapidly changing market conditions," said Ferial Shomloo, Senior Analyst at Stratecast Partners. "As the market becomes increasingly complex, to ensure that they are completely prepared for the new challenges ahead, service providers must rely on a robust, flexible, and scalable operation and business support platform."

Sphera claims that installation is a ten-minute process for any knowledgeable system administrator.

Pricing and availability
Sphera HostingDirector 3.0 is immediately available to the Web hosting industry. Sphera HostingDirector 3.0 is priced to complement the Web hosting industry's business model. Monthly fees are calculated on a per-virtual-dedicated-server basis and/or per-dedicated-server basis. Large orders from "early adapters" may qualify for "aggressive pricing."

Related article
Sphera's founder talks about the origins of the company.

Sphera's flash tour of HostingDirector is available here.

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