September 5, 2008 -- (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- The big trends in this week's news were a list of appointments at data center companies, and a set of new services from a range of companies, though one story certainly stood out more than others.
It's probably safe to assume that this week will be remembered not as the week that DataSite Orlando appointed a general manager, but as the week that Google first launched its Web browser, Chrome.
Early in the week, Google launched the beta of the new browser, which will take on the existing crop of programs that includes Microsoft's Internet Explorer, as well as Firefox, Opera, Apple's Safari and other players. The software launched for the Windows OS, with Apple and Linux versions reportedly on the horizon. Among the more intriguing features of the software is the fact that tabs can be killed independently without crashing the entire browser, and that certain kinds of application support more traditionally associated with the operating system are native to the browser.
On Tuesday, GlobalSign announced that it had introduced a new "secure everything / multi-domain" option for its SSL certificates. The option enables a single certificate to secure multiple sites, applications or other functions on the same IP address. Thee company says it is adding unified communications functions for Microsoft Exchange 2007 and Communications Server 2007 to its SSL range for free.
And on Wednesday, Global Crossing announced that it had added a new set of managed services to the offering out of its London data center, including monitoring, backup, security, server management and storage solutions. The company also said it plans to expand the London facility and open a new data center in Amsterdam.
Along with a selection of new products, this week saw a selection of new executives installed at a handful of data center operators.
On Tuesday, the data center operator DataSite Orlando said it had appointed Ken Sanders the GM of its facility in advance of the 130,000 square-foot data center's launch. Sanders, says the company, will be responsible for facility operations, critical systems management, customer installation and operations support. He will also oversee upgrades to the facility.
On Wednesday, FORTRUST reported that it had appointed Michael Robnett and Joshua Moody its service delivery manager and enterprise account manager, respectively. The company says demand for its services has created a need for a larger sales and management team at its Denver data center. Robnett will oversee the service assurance and delivery, while moody will be responsible for new business development, and guiding customers through the sales process.
On Thursday, data center service provider Consonus said it had named Michael Bucheit and Robert McCarthy its executive vice president of corporate development and executive vice president of sales and marketing. Former sales and marketing head Will Shook will become executive vice president of channel alliances.
Without question, the story to watch in the weeks to come will be Google's Chrome browser. While Google's status as an Internet search and marketing powerhouse is undisputed, its record as a software developer and distributor is spotty, and while are rushing to anoint the new browser a Windows killer, many others are skeptical of the new product's power to cut into Internet Explorer's massive market share.
