Day two picked up where day 1 left off. The topics of the day were SaaS (Software as a Service), Green Hosting, Web Hosting consolidation, Web Host automation, and more. And a more personal note, my shower head was fixed

Before we get to the serious stuff, I would like to extend a special thanks to the folks at Bourbon Bar. Those who were there will know exactly what I mean.

The day began with an opening keynote on software as a service followed by the Parallel’s strategy of virtualization for the host and SaaS industries.

To rehash the day’s proceedings, if efficiency is our goal then a number of factors needs to be in place to ensure hosting is running at optimum efficiency. Factors that are involved in this include power, services, and automation.

Power Efficiency
Whenever power efficiency is brought to the forefront Green hosting follows. The first part of power efficiency includes cooling, the number of servers in use, and the amount of processing resources. Even IBM understands that the more cores that are in use the greater the ratio of power needs to be regulated in order to push cooled air. Which is why IBM is going back to water cooling. When it comes to this no one understands better the efficiency of cooling than power gamers. The latest fad is oil immersion. A server that is immersed in oil with a fan to circulate the heated oil to the top for cooling can greatly increase power to cooling efficiency. We have a long way to go before oil immersion becomes a data center commonplace, but I believe its time will come.

Virtualization and utility hosting can maximize processor power and reduce the amount of servers needed to run the same amount of hosting accounts.

SaaS
A Web Host is a service provider and the services are, well web hosting (I bet you saw that coming). A Web Host is not a software developer even though the bulk of their services require software packages. By using third party vendors and their software packages a Web Host can spend more time in making sure their services are optimized and less time on upgrading control panels and the like. By partnering with other vendors the Web Host can maximize services for their customers. Since it is running as a service, centralized on another server, the Web Host can save on processing power.

Automation
When it comes to business efficiency not many things can compete with automation. Streamlining business processes reducing the amount of work hours needed to keep the same amount of accounts running. Automation decreases overhead reducing processor power and promotes scalability. In short, automation improves efficiency across the board and fuels hosting growth.

Once all the work had been finished there were only two things left to do, pack up and go to a baseball game. Although the Washington Nationals lost, a good time was had by all as we bid farewell to DC and this year’s Parallel’s Summit. I thank everyone who I had the privilege to meet and all those who made this Summit a success. Until next time, happy hosting!