(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — Domain name and web hosting provider Go Daddy (www.godaddy.com) has officially introduced its virtual Mac hosting solution, “Cloud Server powered by Mac OS X,” a first-of-its-kind virtual dedicated server that provides the power of a dedicated Mac OS X server for a fraction of the cost.
True to the tenants of the Apple brand, Go Daddy Mac OS X server is a simple and clean managed solution that takes much of the complexity out of hosted services. Go Daddy’s support team keeps the server up and running, and customers can easily manage a number of native Mac OS X Server applications such as website hosting, email, collaboration, iChat Server, and calendaring without being an IT administrator.
“Offering Mac OS X hosting gives our customers the ability to use an Apple server without spending a lot of money,” said Go Daddy chief executive officer and founder Bob Parsons. “Partnering with Apple and Parallels made it all happen. Go Daddy’s customer service, combined with Apple’s usability and Parallels’ innovation make this a big win for our customers.”
Based on Apple’s enterprise-class Xserve server and Parallels technology, the service provides the usability for which Apple is known. Users and applications are managed via a Mac interface and its open architecture lets both Mac and Windows devices connect to the server.
Plans range according to the size of the company or project, and can feature a customized amount of RAM, storage and bandwidth, depending on their server needs. Also as these needs change, the plans are elastic and customers can upgrade when it is needed.
Parallels service provider division president Jack Zubarev said that Apple’s momentum following a 33 percent year-on-year increase in Mac computer sales, demand for Mac OS X-based cloud services is bound to see strong demand. “We are very pleased to work with Go Daddy to help them meet this demand and launch the first mass-market Mac OS X cloud services based on Parallels Server for Mac Bare Metal Edition.”
