Parallels virtualization technology has enabled Struktur AG to simplify its "spreed" global conferencing solution from downloadable software to a software-as-a-service (SaaS) application delivered via the Internet. Now, a user can initiate a conference by clicking on a web link to connect as many as 1,000 people anywhere in the world regardless of hardware and without any additional software.

Parallels Virtuozzo Containers use the Application Packaging Standard (APS) to deliver the spreed conferencing software as a virtual appliance that can run on any server securely. Previously, a spread user had to download, install and then configure the software to run on their computer. Initially available in August 2006, the solution was converted to a virtual appliance in September 2007. Today, it is used by more than 100,000 users to talk, share and view files including video, as well as type chat messages.

"Moving our product to a new model using Parallels Virtuozzo designed for SaaS has reduced our sales cycle to as little as one day, which simply wasn't possible before," said Niels Mache, CEO of Struktur, based in Stuttgart, Germany. "Now we're working with nine service providers around the world that offer our web conferencing as SaaS-based application."

Virtuozzo is the only virtualization solution that could provide the high performance, reliability, easy maintenance and hardware independence that Struktur required to successfully deploy spreed as a virtual appliance. Virtuozzo uses the APS standard to seamlessly integrate a broad range of applications for SaaS. Virtuozzo's management tools linked with SWsoft e-commerce and ordering solutions provided a fully automated provisioning and billing architecture for the spreed application.

"Parallels Virtuozzo virtualization technology combined with our automation software provides the ideal SaaS platform for spreed and other applications that can be delivered as a web-based service," said Serguei Beloussov, CEO of Parallels. "The spreed solution is another example of how our open platform and the APS standard are driving real business results for our customers."

A free, full-feature version of spreed is available for anyone to connect with up to two other users by registering at http://checkin.spreed.com/join_form. Service providers interested in learning more about spreed can visit www.spreed.com.

"Spreed has been a quantum leap for our web hosting business in Japan, called Tsukaeru.net, helping us improve our reputation in the market and increase sales," said Jason Frisch, CEO, JMF Investment & Technology PTY Ltd. “We will now start reselling that service to our small-to-medium customers so they can communicate more effectively with their customers.”