Below are the highlights of the announcement as well as the full text of the press release:

• Microsoft Solution for Windows-based Hosting Version 3.5 offers key enhancements for shared Web hosting and support for Microsoft's latest product releases.

• Microsoft's commitment to the Web hosting market helps drive market demand and adoption, enabling hosters to accelerate customer acquisition and build market share.

 
Microsoft Launches Solution for Windows-Based Hosting Version 3.5

Solution offers key enhancements for shared Web hosting and support for Microsoft’s latest product releases.

REDMOND, Wash. — May 17, 2005 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the Microsoft^® Solution for Windows^®-based Hosting Version 3.5, which incorporates new tools and best practices designed to help hosting service providers significantly lower operational costs through improved site density and better management capabilities. Targeted primarily at service providers that offer shared Web hosting or discount dedicated server hosting, the latest version of the Microsoft Solution for Windows-based Hosting also introduces Web Site Starters for Windows, a set of development partner and community applications including integrated Web-site building, Web logging (blogging), forums and photo-sharing applications optimized to run in a Windows-based hosted environment.

“The Microsoft Solution for Windows-based Hosting has been extremely popular; in the past year alone, we estimate that hundreds of hosting providers have deployed components of the solution,” said Pascal Martin, general manager for Hosting Solutions at Microsoft. “The latest version of the solution should further empower service providers to reduce costs while increasing revenue per user. Hosting providers now have new tools and resources to help them improve Web-site performance and scalability and reduce customer support costs through more effective monitoring and problem resolution. In addition, Version 3.5 offers a rich set of new applications that hosters can add to their Windows-based offerings.”

Version 3.5 provides support for several recently released Microsoft products. Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005 offers easier customization of reports and a new at-a-glance operations console. Windows Server™ Update Services (WSUS), the next generation of Microsoft’s Update Services, offers improved targeting of updates for download and deployment as well as enhanced reporting of server status and compliance. Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 offers enhanced security by locking down a number of operating system capabilities, helping further protect service providers from the threat of potential viruses and malicious code. With the updated version of Microsoft Provisioning System (MPS), hosters can now standardize their automation platform entirely on Windows Server 2003.

“Microsoft has been extremely proactive in addressing key service provider issues such as ease of use and deployment,” said Melanie Posey, research director at IDC. “Microsoft’s proven commitment to the hosting provider community has greatly contributed to the growing demand for Windows-based hosting.”

“With DotNetNuke and Telligent Community Server, both part of the Web Site Starters for Windows partner applications, we are able to offer our customers a number of new compelling applications and services,” said Warren Adelman, chief operating officer at GoDaddy. “For example, our customers can take advantage of portal builders, forums, blogs and photo galleries. These commonly requested applications will help us attract more customers to our Windows-based offers.”

Microsoft Commitment to Hosting

Microsoft is committed to providing hosting service providers with the knowledge and resources they need to help lower operational costs while increasing revenue through the deployment of enhanced managed services. Microsoft offers a number of programs and tools to help service providers succeed with Windows-based hosting:

• Service Provider Licensing Agreement. A licensing program that enables service providers to license Microsoft products on a monthly basis to provide services and hosted applications to their end customers

• Windows Web Hoster Program. A free program that provides hosters of all sizes with free access to technical resources such as webcasts, live training seminars and an online information library

• ASP.NET Hosting Advantage. An initiative that helps service providers deploy, launch and successfully market ASP.NET offerings, including promotion in the ASP.NET Hoster Directory

• Windows Hosting Forums. Community forums that offer service providers fast, free and anonymous technical assistance from Windows-based hosting experts

• SI and ISV Partners. A growing network of system integrators and independent software vendors that extend the value of the Windows-based hosting solution

The Microsoft Solution for Windows-based Hosting uses a centralized and automated management infrastructure to help service providers increase operational efficiencies. Using key products from Microsoft Windows Server System™, the solution offers hosting providers the best practices, tools, scripts and code samples to help them efficiently deploy and operate their hosted offerings on the Windows platform.

Shared Web Hosting Seminar

From May 19 through June 30, service providers and shared Web hosters are invited to attend Microsoft’s Shared Web Hosting Seminar. More details are available at https://www.ustechsregister.com/microsofthostingseminars/CitySelect.asp.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential