Parallels Operations Automation SaaS Module Simplifies Application Delivery for Service Providers

Renton, Wash., November 24, 2008 — Parallels today announced a powerful enhancement to its Parallels Operations Automation 2.8 software in the form of a SaaS Module, which utilizes the Application Packaging Standard (APS). Parallels Operations Automation is an operations support system (OSS) for enterprises and service providers who want to automate the delivery of server-based applications and resources. The new SaaS Module makes it easy for Service Providers to offer third party applications to their end-user customers. New features built into the  operations system provide a fully integrated, manageable, scalable and easy to use platform that can be used to achieve higher average revenue per user while simultaneously growing their business and managing their operations more efficiently. This new version 2.8 release of Parallels Operations Automation incorporates a total of 210 new features and functional improvements.

Parallels Operations Automation is designed to improve server provisioning and datacenter management in order to reduce operational costs and reduce service delivery errors. In addition, Parallels Operations Automation’s integrated, modular architecture scales to meet the demands of service providers rapidly growing businesses. With the new SaaS capabilities, service providers can now easily offer a wide range of applications, in an automated and scalable fashion, ranging from Hosted Exchange to existing business grade third party applications such as CRM.

For hosters who were interested in SaaS, but thought it was too complex or unmanageable, the new automated control panel provides for levels of flexibility, manageability and ease of use not previously available. Also, the new control panel allows for management of SaaS applications, the customer's end-users and the end-user's access to the specified SaaS applications. With convenient service plan templates, subscription plans can easily be defined as either individualized or as a group to target new and existing end user customers.

"Parallels Operations Automation enables customers to efficiently manage their operations with reduced costs, generate new sources of revenue and provide new services such as SaaS applications into a business software market expected to reach $40 billion by 2011," said Jack Zubarev, President, Service Provider Worldwide, Parallels. "By leveraging Parallels Operations Automation and the Parallels Open Platform with APS, our service provider customers can gain competitive advantage with shortened time to market, differentiate themselves with valuable new services and increase their average revenue per user with both existing end-user customers as well as new ones."

According to recent research from Saugatuck Technology, companies with less than 500 employees are a key growth area for SaaS[i]. In addition, new SMBs are foregoing traditional IT and establishing themselves from the start with SaaS and Cloud-based IT.

"Cohaesio has partnered with Parallels to develop a fully-automated SaaS hosting platform. By previously implementing the APS standard, we have achieved a competitive advantage that enabled us to deliver SaaS applications faster than ever before," said Frederik Schouboe, senior vice president of Cohaesio, a leading innovative hosting provider with operations in both Europe and the U.S. "Now with the new SaaS Module and enhancements to the Parallels Operations Automation 2.8 software, we have an even more powerful and simplified solution to move ahead of the competition with."

Parallels can get service providers up and running quickly with Parallels Operations Automation and will soon offer several webcasts to its service provider customers in the Americas, Europe and Asian geographies to explain and demonstrate the new SaaS Module capabilities utilizing the APS standard. The first webcast will take place in early December for its US customers. 

The Parallels Open Platform enables SaaS with Parallels virtualization and automation technology through integration with a wide range of third-party applications and systems. The APS standard is a key element of the Parallels Open Platform and is used by ISVs and service providers to seamlessly integrate applications to offer to the more than 10 million businesses and individuals that use Parallels products. ISVs and service providers interested in the APS Certification Program can register at www.apsstandard.com/certification. For more information on the APS standard, visit www.apsstandard.com.

About Cohaesio
Founded in 1996, Cohaesio is a leading hosting provider with operations in Europe and the U.S. Cohaesio is focused on hosting for the small-to-medium-sized businesses through partnerships with leading ISVs to offer their solutions in the SaaS model. Cohaesio is also the company behind the fast-growing low-end hosting provider Surftown.com and recently launched online backup provider keepit.com. For more information please visit www.cohaesio.net.

About Parallels — Optimized Computing
Parallels is a worldwide leader in virtualization and automation software that optimizes computing for consumers, businesses, and service providers across all major hardware, operating systems, and virtualization platforms. Founded in 1999, Parallels is a fast-growing company with 800 employees in North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, please visit www.parallels.com.

Contact:                                                                                                                                                        

Kate Lannan                                                                                                                

+1 (425) 282 6416                                                                                                              

klannan@parallels.com                                                                                                           

www.parallels.com