AT&T Hosting and Applications Services
AT&T continues to strengthen elements that support its hosting efforts, whether it’s an extensive CDN build-out, SaaS support or embrace of cloud computing starting with AT&T Synaptic Hosting. (5/12/2009)

IBM Managed Web Hosting
Coming from a position of strength in hosting, IBM continues its drive in the cloud services arena. But intensifying competition from a diverse set of rivals and an unclear economic picture could be big obstacles in the company’s path. (5/11/2009)

Qwest Managed Hosting
Qwest’s cost-cutting efforts are paying off, with the company seeing a surge in profitability in the last quarter. However, the provider has a serious fight as it faces better-resourced hosting rivals in a hotly contested market. (5/8/2009)

Rackspace Managed Hosting Managed Hosting
Rackspace faces a challenging market as rivals such as AT&T up the ante with strong client support. This makes it harder for the Rackspace to distinguish itself, but strong growth in cloud computing may be its best retort. (5/7/2009)

SAVVIS Intelligent Hosting
Coming off a strong first quarter thanks to 18% growth in its hosting business, SAVVIS is positioned to ride out rough economic conditions. Lengthy sales cycles and its financial issues with many of its core customers could slow future growth. (5/7/2009)

Verio PowerPlatform Managed Web Hosting
Verio coasts on its past merits, focusing on global hosting efforts largely aimed at SMBs while competitors are aggressively looking to capture new growth in cloud computing. (5/13/2009)

Verizon Business Managed Web Hosting
Verizon Business wants to move up the value chain by capitalizing on skills acquired in its hosting business to take on a more consultative role. To this end, the provider is expanding its professional services portfolio around virtualization. (5/7/2009)

Top

Report Contents

• Current Perspective Rating
• Product Strengths & Weaknesses
• Product Buying Criteria
• Product Metrics

Top

Managed Web Hosting Buying Criteria

• Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
  • What SLAs are supporting this service. What performance guarantees support this service.
• Applications
  • What "middleware," transaction-enabling software, e-commerce supporting software, and databases are supported in this Managed Web Hosting Service.
• OS and Server Platforms Supported
  • What servers are used, and what operating systems are supported in this vendor's Managed Web Hosting Service.
• Supplemental Services
  • What supplemental services are available from the provider, as packages, or bundles, with the core Managed Hosting Service.
• Business Continuity Services

Top

Managed Web Hosting Product Metrics

• Backbone Network
  • In-house or Outsourced
  • Local Loop Provider
  • SONET- based Access
  • Access Speeds
  • Secondary Access Provider
  • Secondary Backbone Provider
  • Server-to-WAN Technology
  • Backbone Security
• SLAs
  • Server Availability (%)
  • Latency (Site to NAP)
  • Other
  • Credit Policy
  • Proactive or Reactive SLA
  • Proactive Credits
  • Time:Restore from Storage
• Reports
  • Hits
  • Server Utilization
  • Geographic Location of User
  • User Repeat Trending
  • Network Connection Utilization
  • Web-based Reporting
  • Performance - Metrics Reported
• Data Centers
  • Number of Centers
  • Provider Total Hosting Space
  • Locations (by City)
  • Planned Locations
  • Support Availability
  • Backup Equipment On-site
  • Desc. Physical Security
  • Collocation/Hosting Share Space
  • Off-site Site Backup
  • Disaster Recovery Support
  • Manage Equipment on Client Site
• Servers
  • What Servers Used
  • Vendor Certified Sites
  • Maximum Storage Space
  • Shared Servers
  • Dedicated Servers
  • Applications Servers Supported
  • Managed Storage h/w Provider
  • Server Security
  • Supported Operating Systems
  • Site Mirroring Supported
  • List D-bases Supported
  • Global Load Balancing
• Supplemental Services
  • Web Design
  • DNS Registration
  • Primary/Secondary DNS Support
  • Bundles; Target
  • Sample Service Packages
  • Managed Storage (Backup)
  • Managed Security Available
  • Collocation Available
  • CDN Support
  • Streaming Media
  • Intrusion Detection Included
  • Managed Firewalls Included
• Pricing
  • Server Space (per Gb)
  • Throughput
  • Installation
  • Web Design
  • Term Discounts
  • Volume-based Discounts
  • Supplemental Fees
  • Billing Options
  • Package Pricing
  • Pricing Structure