Three-legged Race for Microsoft

The Seattle-based software company makes inroads into the service provider market by launching a three-dimensional program for ISPs and ASPs.

by ISP-Planet Staff [November 10, 2000]

Turning a blind eye to its antitrust afflictions, Microsoft Corp. continues to make inroads in the ISP market with its Windows 2000 platform.

Marketing campaign
Microsoft marketers assaulted both the ASP and ISP markets in February with the much-touted debut of the new platform. The high-powered marketing campaign is getting results:

    • More than 300 ISPs have deployed Windows 2000
    • More than 300,000 Web sites are running on the platform
    • Interland alone is running nearly 20,000 Web sites on Windows 2000

Through the early adoption program, more than 850 ISPs have been trained on the Windows 2000 platform. Microsoft representatives made a pig push this week to bring new Windows 2000 adopters to its fold at ISPCON.

Highlighting the strength of the Microsoft Windows 2000 Platform for use in the ISP market, Microsoft laid out its .NET road map for owners and operators attending the convention in San Jose, Calif. this week.

Windows Web Hoster Program
Microsoft introduced a series of new programs and tools tailored to meet the challenges of providing quality services in today's market. In his keynote speech, Brian Valentine, Microsoft senior vice president, inaugurated the company's new Windows Web Hoster Program.

The Web hosting program is designed to accelerate the adoption of Windows 2000 in shared hosting environments. It sports online technical support for Web hosters and comes with a free copy of the Windows 2000 Advanced Server program, as well as a Windows 2000 resource kit, and discounts on training and support.

Microsoft had third party reports at the ready to substantiate its claims that Windows 2000 enabled Interland to host four times as many Web sites per server. In addition, the study also revealed that implementing Windows 2000 had several hidden benefits.

According to a report by Giga Group, Windows 2000 decreased the time required for security configurations by 39 percent. Application development time was reduced by 33 percent. Support center operations costs were reduced up to 20 percent. Management operating costs decreased 35 percent. Conclusion
Robert Malally, Interland chief technology officer said the results are conclusive.

"Windows 2000 Servers enabled our hosting infrastructure to meet critical business success factors like improving gross margins, driving revenue and improving customer satisfaction," Malally said. "The results are conclusive that the Windows 2000 platform provides superior business and technical value."

Audrey Apfel, Gartner Group Inc. vice president and research director, said a highly scalable platform is a key to success for ISPs and ASPs and others that want a piece of the Web hosting pie.

"Platforms built with technology optimized for the hosting environment will help service providers offer and deliver the service level agreements their customers will demand," Apfel said.

And if the ISPCON presentation of Microsoft's Windows 2000 acceptance wasn't a rosy enough a picture for you, it was revealed that more than 94 percent of those ISPs in attendance at ISPCON are considering deploying the platform over the next year.

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