Sphera's HostingDirector promises plug-and-play capabilities on dedicated or shared servers. Virtual site management could be a moneymaker for ISPs.

by Alex Goldman
Associate Editor, ISP-Planet
[December 6, 2000]

Sphera released version 3.0 of its HostingDirector software in mid-October. The software automates the provisioning and management of hosting services, simplifying the process of administering multiple Websites.

For example, if a webhosting client wants to add one of the 40 different software programs that have been optimized by Sphera, the site owner simply connects to a Java interface through their browser, orders the software, and the program is automatically installed.

Permission to profit
Tamar Naor, Sphera chief executive officer, said the company's software helps ISPs make more money from from each webhosting client as they add services to their sites.

"In order to migrate a customer from the $50 per month price range to over $250 per month, you need to offer higher value services," Naor said. "Sphera manages the hosting infrastructure by creating and securing a virtual dedicated server for each site, plugging in the applications, and taking care of the reporting that enables usage- and value-based billing."

The software tracks four layers of permissions:

1. Data center cluster manager
2. Server manager for administrators
3. Reseller account management for the ISP
4. Site owner administration fields

Naor noted that Sphera's Java GUI is like a live catalog because it's capable of explaining any service that the client might wish to add to their web site, as well as immediately provision any service the site owner selects.

For example, Sphera programming could add a counter to a web page, upgrade e-mail service from 20 accounts to 200, and even install FrontPage extensions—with a single click from a client. Minerva.net specializes in hosting Cold Fusion database-driven Websites. The Virginia-based webhsoting firm recently gave the Sphera upgrade a test run on its network.

Fadi Hallak, Minerva.net chief executive officer, said the automation features from Sphera makes life easier for network administrators.

"It's amazing to watch the software operate a drag-and-drop move of a site from one virtual server to another," Hallak said.

Automatic for the people
Sphera has also automated the process of optimizing software for the program. Developers can use Sphera's Software Design Kit (SDK) to customize core functions. The kit consists of a set of modules which allow Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to "Sphera-enable" their software so that it can be automatically provisioned.

Naor said Sphera has partnered with several major ISVs, including VeriSign and TeleKnowledge to add value to its suite of products.

"Together with Teleknowledge and VeriSign, value-based billing and revenue sharing capabilities are added to our HostingDirector's end-to-end service automation," Naor said. "The software facilitates profitable relationships with both customers and partners."

Instinctive benefits
Minerva's Hallak said that his webhosting company just started using Sphera's latest upgrade, but that he has big expectations for the software.

After completing a brief training program for the Sphera upgrade, Hallak said his technicians saved a lot of time provisioning websites and testing configurations. Hallak hopes to put his technicians' time to use by having them "train" customers on all that the programming can offer their web properties.

"Service makes the money," Hallak said. "Anything that helps me provide better customer service is great."

Pricing and requirements
Sphera HostingDirector 3.0 runs on UNIX and Linux server platforms, including Sun Solaris 2.5.1 and 7 for SPARC and Intel platforms, as well as recent (glibc-based) builds of Linux, such as RedHat Linux and 6.x for Intel platforms.

Sphera's pricing model is based on monthly fees calculated on a per-virtual-dedicated-server basis and/or per-dedicated-server basis. The software is available from Sphera's sales division.

—End

Related articles:
	[Nov. 16, 2000]	Building a Webhosting Service
	[Oct. 31, 2000]	Sphera HostingDirector 3.0
	[April 15, 2000]	Sphera HostingDirector 2.0