Parallels offers automation software to help ISVs boost cloud range

Virtualisation specialist Parallels has launched a new set of tools aimed at enabling, independent software vendors and software resellers to benefit from cloud services. The company is looking to bring a greater level of automation to cloud provision.

The independent software vendor community is keen to attack the cloud space, given the increasing consumption of cloud-based services by small businesses. Parallels said that by using Microsoft cloud services, the software companies would be able to maximise revenue.

Parallels Automation for Microsoft Services and the corresponding enablement tools will make it easier for ISVs to deliver cloud services claimed Parallels. The software would automate delivery of a range of cloud services based around Microsoft software, these including Office 365 Syndication, Hyper-V Cloud, Exchange Server 2010 SP1, and SharePoint Foundation 2010.

Parallels said that the set of tools would enable ISVs to use the Application Packaging Standard (APS) to distribute their offerings to Parallels’ 5,000 cloud service provider partners. ISVs would be able to benefit from Parallels' marketing clout and its Partner Storefront too.

Parallels said that the announcement was set to tap into the increasing interesting in the cloud from smaller businesses. "The demand for cloud services from SMBs is growing rapidly. According to a Microsoft, 39 percent of SMBs expect to be paying for one or more cloud services within three years,” said Birger Steen, CEO, Parallels. “Parallels is empowering our partners to tap into this demand in the easiest and most comprehensive way possible ... to take full advantage of upcoming opportunities.”