Cirrushosting (http://www.cirrushosting.com), a leading provider of web hosting services in Canada, teams up with Group 3 Corp, a company with expertise in Telecommunications (VoIP), to provide web hosting solutions that support the Asterisk software (Version 1.4).
According to Ali Mirdamadi product manager at Cirrus Tech, there only a few hosting companies out there that provide web hosting solutions which incorporate Asterisk – a leading software used as a telephone engine and tool kit. Asterisk is an open source implementation of a telephone private branch exchange (PBX) which allows a number of attached telephones to make calls to one another, and to connect to other telephone services including the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
Furthermore, through the strong relationship established between Cirrus Tech and its customers – and the deep understanding that Cirrus has thus attained of its clients’ needs – it was found that many of Cirrus Tech’s small business and corporate clients require a hosting solution that simultaneously deals with the web hosting and communication needs of their company.
Together Cirrus Tech. and Group 3 Corp. have defined a suitable platform, namely the Linux Virtual Private Servers (VPS), which includes Asterisk and other tools such as FreePBX, and TrixBox that enhance the functionalities of Asterisk. The good news doesn’t stop here, as Cirrus Tech’s new solution includes Asterisk and any type of support required to enable this communication software – free of charge.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Web Host FastServers Up For Sale
Research and analysis firm Tier 1 Research (tier1research.com) recently announced that Web hosting provider FastServers (fastservers.net) appears to be up for sale.
Tier 1 Research says that FastServers has grown at a solid rate since getting into the dedicated hosting segment in 2001 and is currently home to approximately 3,500 servers. However, as is common for Web hosts that get to this size, the company is approaching a point where it'll be difficult to push further growth and is looking for a buyer, says the analysis firm.
Tier 1 Research estimates that FastServers is in the range of $10 to $14 million in annualized revenues and the company is led by a young management team, founded by Ian Andrusyk, who servers as CEO, and Travis Shaffner.
Last month, Tier 1 Research launched a new report that highlights mergers and acquisitions activity in the Internet infrastructure and mass-market Web hosting sectors in the first half of 2007.
Tier 1 Research says that FastServers has grown at a solid rate since getting into the dedicated hosting segment in 2001 and is currently home to approximately 3,500 servers. However, as is common for Web hosts that get to this size, the company is approaching a point where it'll be difficult to push further growth and is looking for a buyer, says the analysis firm.
Tier 1 Research estimates that FastServers is in the range of $10 to $14 million in annualized revenues and the company is led by a young management team, founded by Ian Andrusyk, who servers as CEO, and Travis Shaffner.
Last month, Tier 1 Research launched a new report that highlights mergers and acquisitions activity in the Internet infrastructure and mass-market Web hosting sectors in the first half of 2007.
Pulse Web Hosting Unveils Free Website Offer
UK-based Web host Pulse Web Hosting has teamed up with its partner Supanet to offer its customers a free, fully configured e-commerce website.
The offer is available to anyone who signs up for Pulse’s Power or Power Plus hosting packages. Customers will also receive a free blog platform.
“Working with Supanet, we are providing a fantastic e-commerce website,” Sam Benson, Pulse’s Product Marketing Manager, said in a statement issued by the company. “We will take care of the installation and configuration making it ideal for everyone from the small business person to the novice looking to earn some extra money.”
via TOPHOSTS
The offer is available to anyone who signs up for Pulse’s Power or Power Plus hosting packages. Customers will also receive a free blog platform.
“Working with Supanet, we are providing a fantastic e-commerce website,” Sam Benson, Pulse’s Product Marketing Manager, said in a statement issued by the company. “We will take care of the installation and configuration making it ideal for everyone from the small business person to the novice looking to earn some extra money.”
via TOPHOSTS
The Web Host Industry Week in Review
Most weeks, the Web hosting news stories distinguish themselves most conspicuously in the sorts of themes they gather around. But on some less common occasions a week in Web hosting will be marked most notably by a few stories of particular, unique importance.
Such was the case with this week's news, as a few stories stood far out from the ordinary.
As is quite often the case this time of year, the week began with reports on the performance of online retailers on "Black Friday," the most active shopping day of the year for Americans. In particular, it was reported that the website of retailer Sears was completely unavailable to shoppers on Friday. The site posted a note on the site warning visitors that it was "temporarily experiencing high traffic volume," from approximately 9 a.m. EST until 4:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Go Daddy issued the similarly perennial report that it would indeed be advertising in this year's Super Bowl. In dealing with its standard series of rejected ads, says CEO Bob Parsons, Go Daddy is taking a new approach and submitting storyboards for approval or rejection rather than filmed commercials. According to Parsons, the company has already had two concepts rejected, unsurprisingly for being in "poor taste."
While several long-anticipated stories stood out this week, there were also instances of unexpected announcements making for big news.
On Monday, it was reported that Microsoft had announced plans to build a data center in Irkutsk, Siberia, capable of holding 10,000 servers. The project seems to be smaller in scale than similar projects recently planned for Dublin, Ireland and Chicago, Illinois. However, Microsoft has yet to issue any information about the timetable or budget for the Irkutsk facility.
And on Wednesday, it was reported that Google may be preparing an online storage solution that would enable users to store data on Google's servers. The service may be ready for release early next year, and is likely to include offerings of free storage space, with larger capacity available at a cost.
Along with the out-of-the-ordinary occurrences this week, there remained some more standard-issue Web hosting fare. No less significant for being more ordinary, there were several announcements of acquisitions this week.
On Wednesday, infrastructure provider BBS Technologies announced that it had acquired backup and data recovery solutions provider R1Soft. The company says the pairing is a natural fit from both sides, enabling BBS to strengthen its position in Windows system management while providing R1Soft the benefit of its distribution channel and support capabilities. R1Soft will be immediately integrated as a division of BBS Technologies, led by R1Soft founder and CEO David Wartell.
And on Thurdsay, Web hosting provider HostedToday announced that it had acquired TheGreatHostingCompany, expanding its shared hosting business and bringing in customers that might grow into its other services. TheGreatHostingCompany is based out of Lake Wylie, South Carolina, providing Web hosting and reseller hosting.
While much of this week's Web hosting news was somewhat self-contained, there at the very least be some future interest in following Go Daddy's effort to reconcile its inappropriate impulses with the tastes of Super Bowl censors.
via WHIR NEWS
Such was the case with this week's news, as a few stories stood far out from the ordinary.
As is quite often the case this time of year, the week began with reports on the performance of online retailers on "Black Friday," the most active shopping day of the year for Americans. In particular, it was reported that the website of retailer Sears was completely unavailable to shoppers on Friday. The site posted a note on the site warning visitors that it was "temporarily experiencing high traffic volume," from approximately 9 a.m. EST until 4:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Go Daddy issued the similarly perennial report that it would indeed be advertising in this year's Super Bowl. In dealing with its standard series of rejected ads, says CEO Bob Parsons, Go Daddy is taking a new approach and submitting storyboards for approval or rejection rather than filmed commercials. According to Parsons, the company has already had two concepts rejected, unsurprisingly for being in "poor taste."
While several long-anticipated stories stood out this week, there were also instances of unexpected announcements making for big news.
On Monday, it was reported that Microsoft had announced plans to build a data center in Irkutsk, Siberia, capable of holding 10,000 servers. The project seems to be smaller in scale than similar projects recently planned for Dublin, Ireland and Chicago, Illinois. However, Microsoft has yet to issue any information about the timetable or budget for the Irkutsk facility.
And on Wednesday, it was reported that Google may be preparing an online storage solution that would enable users to store data on Google's servers. The service may be ready for release early next year, and is likely to include offerings of free storage space, with larger capacity available at a cost.
Along with the out-of-the-ordinary occurrences this week, there remained some more standard-issue Web hosting fare. No less significant for being more ordinary, there were several announcements of acquisitions this week.
On Wednesday, infrastructure provider BBS Technologies announced that it had acquired backup and data recovery solutions provider R1Soft. The company says the pairing is a natural fit from both sides, enabling BBS to strengthen its position in Windows system management while providing R1Soft the benefit of its distribution channel and support capabilities. R1Soft will be immediately integrated as a division of BBS Technologies, led by R1Soft founder and CEO David Wartell.
And on Thurdsay, Web hosting provider HostedToday announced that it had acquired TheGreatHostingCompany, expanding its shared hosting business and bringing in customers that might grow into its other services. TheGreatHostingCompany is based out of Lake Wylie, South Carolina, providing Web hosting and reseller hosting.
While much of this week's Web hosting news was somewhat self-contained, there at the very least be some future interest in following Go Daddy's effort to reconcile its inappropriate impulses with the tastes of Super Bowl censors.
via WHIR NEWS
XM-Sirius: Is Merger Approval "Imminent"?
Government approval of the deal could come by next week, one analyst says. The news sent shares of both companies into orbit Friday
The stocks of XM Satellite Radio (XMSR) and Sirius (SIRI) surged Nov. 30 as an analyst, citing "contacts in DC" said the U.S. Department of Justice was likely to approve the controversial merger of the two satellite radio companies very soon.
Bear Stearns (BSC) analyst Robert Peck wrote a "DOJ decision is imminent," arriving as soon as Nov. 30 or Dec. 3.
The federal government has been scrutinizing the deal for months. It must decide whether to challenge the merger in court on antitrust grounds.
Peck said he believed junior staff at the DOJ were opposed to the merger, buying arguments that the merger of the two only satellite radio firms would reduce competition too much.
Those supporting the merger say the combined XM-Sirius would still face significant competition, especially from traditional radio stations and from new technology like Internet radio or Apple's (AAPL) iPod device.
"While the final outcome remains uncertain," Peck said he thinks it likely top DOJ officials will decide to not block the deal. Even with DOJ approval, the merger between XM and Sirius will also need the OK of the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC. Peck expects that decision to arrive at year end.
Uncertainty over the XM and Sirius deal has been a black cloud hanging over the companies' stocks.
Earlier in November, a Deutsche Bank (DB) analyst, James Dix, warned that merger approval is a "50-50 proposition." A public announcement is unlikely in November, he wrote Nov. 19. In fact, a decision was as likely to wait until 2008 as to happen in December, he said.
XM and Sirius announced their "merger of equals" in February. Each XM share would be exchanged for 4.6 Sirius shares.
Competing head to head, each firm has its advantages. XM has more subscribers, with more than 9 million listeners expected by the end of the year according to Standard & Poor's equity analyst Tuna Amobi. (S&P, like BusinessWeek, is a unit of The McGraw-Hill Cos.) But it's growing slower than Sirius which is expected to add 2.4 million customers in 2007, for a total of more than 8 million. Both are expected to win more customers as satellite radios are installed in new cars, but here XM has made deals with more automakers, analysts say.
Both companies are unprofitable, posting losses quarter after quarter. With a merger, they could reduce expenses for marketing, acquiring new subscribers and programming, says Morningstar (MORN) analyst Michael Corty.
"Although a merger would benefit both companies, ultimately we don't think the deal will be allowed by the U.S. government," Corty wrote. The government won't "allow a scenario in which consumers have only one option for satellite radio service."
The market has mostly disagreed. According to an analysis of stock price moves by Bear Stearns' Peck, investors expectations for a successful merger had been falling over the last month, but still remained at a probability of about 65%.
With Peck's report, that probability rose rapidly. By late afternoon on Nov. 30, XM's stock was up 13%, to about $13.30 per share. Sirius shares jumped 7.6% to $3.79 per share.
If the DOJ decides to not block the merger, XM shares could hit $20 and Sirius shares could reach $4.50, Peck says.
However, if a decision fails to arrive soon or if the DoJ decides to block the merger in court, expect the prices of both stocks to rapidly collapse.
via http://www.businessweek.com/
The stocks of XM Satellite Radio (XMSR) and Sirius (SIRI) surged Nov. 30 as an analyst, citing "contacts in DC" said the U.S. Department of Justice was likely to approve the controversial merger of the two satellite radio companies very soon.
Bear Stearns (BSC) analyst Robert Peck wrote a "DOJ decision is imminent," arriving as soon as Nov. 30 or Dec. 3.
The federal government has been scrutinizing the deal for months. It must decide whether to challenge the merger in court on antitrust grounds.
Peck said he believed junior staff at the DOJ were opposed to the merger, buying arguments that the merger of the two only satellite radio firms would reduce competition too much.
Those supporting the merger say the combined XM-Sirius would still face significant competition, especially from traditional radio stations and from new technology like Internet radio or Apple's (AAPL) iPod device.
"While the final outcome remains uncertain," Peck said he thinks it likely top DOJ officials will decide to not block the deal. Even with DOJ approval, the merger between XM and Sirius will also need the OK of the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC. Peck expects that decision to arrive at year end.
Uncertainty over the XM and Sirius deal has been a black cloud hanging over the companies' stocks.
Earlier in November, a Deutsche Bank (DB) analyst, James Dix, warned that merger approval is a "50-50 proposition." A public announcement is unlikely in November, he wrote Nov. 19. In fact, a decision was as likely to wait until 2008 as to happen in December, he said.
XM and Sirius announced their "merger of equals" in February. Each XM share would be exchanged for 4.6 Sirius shares.
Competing head to head, each firm has its advantages. XM has more subscribers, with more than 9 million listeners expected by the end of the year according to Standard & Poor's equity analyst Tuna Amobi. (S&P, like BusinessWeek, is a unit of The McGraw-Hill Cos.) But it's growing slower than Sirius which is expected to add 2.4 million customers in 2007, for a total of more than 8 million. Both are expected to win more customers as satellite radios are installed in new cars, but here XM has made deals with more automakers, analysts say.
Both companies are unprofitable, posting losses quarter after quarter. With a merger, they could reduce expenses for marketing, acquiring new subscribers and programming, says Morningstar (MORN) analyst Michael Corty.
"Although a merger would benefit both companies, ultimately we don't think the deal will be allowed by the U.S. government," Corty wrote. The government won't "allow a scenario in which consumers have only one option for satellite radio service."
The market has mostly disagreed. According to an analysis of stock price moves by Bear Stearns' Peck, investors expectations for a successful merger had been falling over the last month, but still remained at a probability of about 65%.
With Peck's report, that probability rose rapidly. By late afternoon on Nov. 30, XM's stock was up 13%, to about $13.30 per share. Sirius shares jumped 7.6% to $3.79 per share.
If the DOJ decides to not block the merger, XM shares could hit $20 and Sirius shares could reach $4.50, Peck says.
However, if a decision fails to arrive soon or if the DoJ decides to block the merger in court, expect the prices of both stocks to rapidly collapse.
via http://www.businessweek.com/
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