Web hosts making 'Smarter' choices

September ‘09, has to be looked upon as a great month for the Phoenix Web services firm SmarterTools. They’ve made some new friends, renewed old acquaintances and cemented several substantial business deals in the mix.

As many as six Web hosting providers have recently partnered with the company to obtain access to tools such as SmarterMail (Microsoft Exchange alternative), SmarterStats (Web log analytics) and SmarterTrack, which is used to handle customer service and support issues.

One of the ringing endorsements for the company recently came from Singapore-based hosting provider, 8 to Infinity, whose CTO, Lim Boon Chuan, commented: "We have gone through a year of rapid growth in a severe economic downtime. The choice of partnership especially in mission-critical and high availability services is of paramount importance. SmarterTools has not let down our trust in them and has proven to be one of our most reliable partners. Their software and services certainly helped in our ROI."

Who wouldn't welcome such a glowing testimonial?

It's typical for Web hosts to offer the SmarterTools bundle with hosting packages often at no additional cost to the customer. FullControl Network just announced that clients who order any virtual server, dedicated server or virtual data center will receive such a deal noting that the SmarterTool software bundle is valued at $800 USD.

Other notable providers joining the SmarterTools fray in the last couple of weeks include 34SP.com of the UK, Malaysia's Net Onboard, REDPLAID Managed Hosting and Hostirian. This begs the question: What's with the influx of recent adoption?

"SmarterMail delivers 90 percent of the features of Microsoft Exchange for 10 percent of the cost,” according to Tim Uzzanti, CEO of SmarterTools. "The ability to sync mobile devices using Exchange ActiveSync’s direct push technology, plus dozens of new enhancements and features, has helped SmarterMail evolve into a true Microsoft Exchange Alternative that will help hosting/service providers win business, while providing the tools small businesses and organizations need to communicate more efficiently."

To capitalize on the wide adoption of Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and the potential to reach more than 15 million end users, SmarterTools extended their licensing agreement with Microsoft in mid-September.

It all comes down to smarter choices.