January 26, 2009 - (HOSTSEARCH.COM) -
Parallels today announced the integration of Open-Xchange’s open source e-mail and collaboration software with the Parallels Operations Automation SaaS Module. Now, all Parallels service provider customers can deliver a cost-effective, enterprise-class alternative to commercial e-mail and collaboration products at a competitive price. The product integration was made simple by packaging the Open-Xchange software in the Application Packaging Standard (APS) format. The resulting solution is currently available to end-users via hosting and service providers that utilize the Parallels Operations Automation SaaS Module.
Hosted e-mail accounts have now grown from 1 billion in 2006 to 1.6 billion in 2008 and will be at 2.2 billion in 2012, according to technology market research firm, The Radicati Group, based in Palo Alto, California. Using Parallels Operations Automation SaaS Module and Open-Xchange, service providers are able to capitalize on this opportunity by offering end-customers rich email experience that goes beyond simple email. Powerful features built into Parallels Automation system allow easy roll-out of value-added services such as Open-Xchange based offerings to achieve higher average revenue per user while simultaneously allowing service providers to manage their operations more efficiently.
Exchange My Mail, a full-service provider of hosted business-class e-mail and collaboration services, is one of the first providers to utilize this solution. The Parallels Automation SaaS Module solution and Open-Xchange packaged in the APS format, allows us to offer the most advanced and up-to-date messaging services to our customers,” said Sal DiPiazza, CEO, Exchange My Mail. “This creates an opportunity for us to reach a larger customer base and grow demand for these service offerings.”
"Open-Xchange is the only email and groupware solution which is specifically architected to meet the needs of hosting and SaaS providers," says Rafael Laguna, CEO of Open-Xchange. "Due to the open source nature, Open-Xchange can be easily integrated into existing hosting infrastructures and email storage. Now, supporting Parallels Automation, hosters and service providers can implement Open-Xchange without changing their existing authentication, user setup, system administration, provisioning and billing tools. This reduces time and effort for new deployments and enables a real fast go-to-market."
Open-Xchange enables web-hosting companies, ISPs, telecommunication companies and IT service companies to gradually expand their product range with modular SaaS offerings. By adopting the software-as-a-service model, Open-Xchange's business got a major boost with a quadrupling of paid mailboxes to 8.4 million in the past year. Open-Xchange is now certified with the Application Packaging Standard (APS).
"Leveraging the Parallels Operations Automation SaaS Module enables APS compatible application vendors such as Open-Xchange to help service providers gain competitive advantage and significantly grow profitability. Service providers can also differentiate themselves with valuable new services, increasing their average revenue per user with both new and existing end-user customers," said Serguei Beloussov, CEO of Parallels. "We are happy to see application vendors like Open-Xchange embrace the Application Packaging Standard (APS) format as they are a highlight to the growing list of over 200 applications that can seamlessly integrate their applications into Parallels Automation products.”
The APS standard is an application packaging format that makes it easier for service providers to deliver hosted applications and services developed by independent software vendors (ISVs). APS-certified applications can be streamlined and "plugged into” hosting platforms that conform to the standard.
APS is a key element of the Parallels Automation and is used by ISVs and service providers to seamlessly integrate applications and deliver variety of services to 10 million businesses and individuals that use Parallels products.
Open-Xchange is the innovator of scalable and integrated open source email and collaboration solutions for enterprises, academic institutions, and government authorities. It provides an on-premise version called Open-Xchange Server Edition, along with Open-Xchange Hosting Edition, which enables web hosting companies to provide an easy-to-use and feature-rich application delivered as Software as a Service (SaaS). The Open-Xchange Hosting Edition is architected to integrate into a hosting provider's existing infrastructure such as authentication, provisioning, billing, and email storage and does not require that these systems be replaced.
Open-Xchange AG is a privately-held company headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany with offices in Olpe, Germany and Tarrytown, N.Y.
Exchange My Mail is a full service provider of hosted business-class email and collaboration services. By partnering with industry-leading technology partners, Exchange My Mail provides small- and medium-sized business customers and enterprise departments with customized and affordable advanced messaging solutions. Exchange My Mail customers looking for wireless solutions benefit from the company’s 10 years of experience in mobile messaging.
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.
