SAVVIS announced a business alliance with virtualization and automation software provider, Parallels. The alliance enables independent software vendors (ISVs) to convert their single-tenancy applications to operate in a Software as a Service (SaaS) environment without having to re-architect their software.

Combining SAVVIS' existing global hosting and network infrastructure with Parallels Virtuozzo Containers virtualization and Parallels Automation, the alliance creates a comprehensive SaaS IT infrastructure service delivery platform. This enables independent software vendors to build, deploy, and support their SaaS applications. Software that was not originally intended to be offered in the SaaS model is made "hostable" quickly and simply, without any re-programming or architectural changes. The combined solution enables ISVs, many of whom developed their software applications on Microsoft technologies, to rapidly deliver their applications in a SaaS delivery model.

"Microsoft is excited to support SAVVIS, one of the largest providers of complex managed hosting and IT infrastructure solutions, and Parallels, one of the world's leading SaaS virtualization and automation companies.The alliance of two such well-established players offers ISVs the expertise and security to capitalize on the industry momentum towards a SaaS delivery model," said Greg Urquhart, General Manager US ISV and National SI Organization for Microsoft Corporation. "With this turnkey solution, Microsoft's ISV partners can rapidly deploy their legacy applications in a SaaS delivery model in a trusted, secure environment.Key benefits to ISVs are shorter time to market, reduced risk and lower investment."

The Parallels-based components of the new platform include:

• Parallels Virtuozzo Containers
• Parallels Automation

"Many ISVs want to meet customer demand for software offered as a service, but for those that don't have existing multi-tenant capabilities this can be an expensive and time-intensive process, requiring significant rewrites of application code. As a result, these ISVs cannot capitalize on SaaS to expand their business or grow their revenue," said Michael Gold, Senior Vice President at Parallels. "However, with the SAVVIS-Parallels alliance, thousands of ISVs are now able to deploy a completely managed hosting solution that includes a full suite of automated, flexible service delivery features and SaaS-optimized virtualization to rapidly meet the demands of a growing customer base looking to benefit from software as a service."