Overview:

The Web+Center application is now available to run on the Linux OS using Apache Web Server, Chilisoft ASP (now Sun Active One) and MySQL backend database.

The entire Web+Center product has been carefully re-engineered to be completely compatible and operational on either a Windows OS based platform (Windows NT, 2000, XP) or Linux. A single set of application code can be run on either platform.

Starting with Web+Center Version 4.5, the Web+Center product will be available to run on either platform from a single set of application modules. Product functionality on the two platforms is basically identical except in a few configuration options where the Linux email or web server configuration requires there to be slight differences.

For more information on exact Linux platform requirements, please refer to the Web+Center Installation Guide .

Licensing and FREE versions

Web+Center for Linux is offered with the same licensed and FREE versions options as the Windows product. The product can be used for FREE for (3) or fewer techs or additional tech licenses can be purchased. Pricing for additional techs can be found on our on-line pricing page.

Testing and Evaluations options

Web+Center for Linux is now in final beta testing and we searching for Beta Test users to help test the product before our production release.

Please NOTE: This Beta release should NOT be used for any production use of the product. A final production release should be available by November/December 2003.

One can evaluate Web+Center for Linux Beta by the two options below:

• Test on-line at the www.WebCenterLinux.com website
• Download your own FREE (3) tech version from the Web+Center 4.5 Beta Download Registration and Download page.

Reasons for Linux Platform

Web+Center now offers additional options for our customers - either through low-cost deployment via an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or by deploying it in-house on their own Linux server.

Many commerical ISPs offer shared web hosting services using Linux/Apache/MySQL based platforms. One can get low monthly cost web-hosting services ($10-30/Month) with this shared hosting environment. Very few companies offer low cost Windows based hosting that enable the users the permissions to successfully install the windows version of Web+Center on these Windows based shared web hosting services.

Web+Center for Windows platforms is easy to install and configure when you have full access permissions. In a shared hosting environment, many of the permissions are limited in ways to make configuration fairly difficult.

The Linux version also offers an alternative to some users that may have concerns about hosting their own Windows based web server, especially a hosting webserver that might be configured on the public Internet.

Included in the Linux Version install guide is a list of Web-hosting companies that offer the Linux Platform and components necessary to run Web+Center for Linux.

Web+Center is a web-based ASP (Active Server Pages) database application. Web+Center requires each of the additional components listed below:
• Sun ONE Active Server Pages (Formerly Chilli-Soft)*
  For Information on Sun ONE Active Server Pages, please visit Catalog entry for Sun One Active Server Pages. *Note: The Sun ONE Active Server Pages product must be purchased separately.
• MySQL (Recommended Version 3.2)
  For Information on MySQL running on Linux, please refer to the MySQL Website
• Apache Web Server for Linux
  The product has been tested and designed using Apache Web Server Version 1.3.27

Sonasoft (www.Sonasoft.com) is a leading provider of disaster recovery and business continuance solutions for Microsoft SQL Server that simplify and lower the cost for mission critical multi-server systems. Founded in San Jose, CA, in 2002, Sonasoft provides integrated hardware and software based solutions that simplify and automate the process of database backup and recovery, centralize the management of multiple servers, and cost-effectively provide a disaster recovery strategy to protect valuable data. SonaSafe(tm) is a plug'n'play appliance that is specifically designed for disk-to-disk backup and recovery. SonaSafe appliance reduces TCO and provides faster ROI compared to tape and other solutions available in the market. Sonasoft is releasing a disaster recovery and business continuance solution for Microsoft Exchange Server in November.

Neil Khanna, Vice President of Operations describes how they use Web+Center:

"Web+Center is a product which solves the problems associated with having to create a customer support system. We chose Web+Center over a couple other solutions for the features, scalability, and customizability. We wanted a system that included FAQ's, knowledge base, trouble ticketing, and reporting. The Asset Management systems allows for our customers to see the products they have purchased, and follow any issues associated with each of them if any. It helps our technical support staff work more effectively. Our customers can access it directly from our website at www.sonasoft.com . Overall, Internet Software Sciences has done a phenomenal job."

Web+Center User Spotlight WinstonNet

WinstonNet (www.winstonnet.org) is a 501 (C) 3, non-profit organization directed towards building a community-based technology infrastructure in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, North Carolina. This organization is a joint effort between the Idealliance, Public and Private Educational institutions, City and County Government and the Chamber of Commerce to prepare the residents of Forsyth County for a technology rich future.

Chris Pearce of WinstonNet uses Web+Center for his help desk organization and describes how he uses the software:

"The Web+Center product has been very instrumental in helping us achieve the almost impossible task of providing help desk and support in a totally volunteer-based organization. Every aspect of WinstonNet is volunteer based, including the Helpdesk. Due to the inherent nature of volunteers, you have a constant revolving work force, that needs to be trained quickly so that they can perform the task at hand. The Web+Center interface was chosen due to its ease of learning and training new volunteers, and customization features that allowed us to further tailor the product to suit our needs.

Web+Center has also been able to grow with us as we've grown, we initially needed something small that our Administrators could use to share information with one another, now we employed other aspects of the Web+Center helpdesk solution so that users can receive timely information in the event of outages (from announcements posted on the main helpdesk page, to a controlled user-base, client submitted work/trouble tickets, and cataloging helpdesk calls so that we can track system trends to see what we need to update, and how we can make the WinstonNet system easier to use for all that are involved (volunteers and clients). It has been a great product to work with, easy to install/setup, and most of all, our clients find it very easy to use and navigate."

Partner Programs

Linux Offers new Reseller - Shared Hosting Web+Center Options

ISS offers a World Wide Web+Center Reseller Program for those interested in marketing and reselling the Web+Center product to customers anywhere in the world.

With the addition of Web+Center Linux product, resellers that offer ISP or web-hosting environments can now offer hosted Web+Center applications to clients and charge them on a monthly basis. Included with the reseller agreement is special Web+Center software monthly rental pricing to allow resellers and web-hosting companies to host solutions without large upfront licensing costs.

Internet Software Sciences is now searching for web-hosting companies that offer Web+Center for Linux compatible web-hosting services to become ISS registered partners. Companies that can host the product will be mentioned on the ISS website as a certified Web+Center for Linux hosting provider.

There are currently 18 resellers in US, Canada, UK, Austria, Africa, Asia, and South America. To find out more about the ISS partner programs and authorized Web+Center resellers, please click on the Partners Link on the Internet Software Sciences website. For a complete list of authorized Web+Center resellers and system integrators, click on the Reseller List link on the partners page. There is no cost to become an authorized Web+Center reseller.

These resellers are authorized to sell the product and offer Web+Center consulting, configuration and support services. Some resellers offer Internet Hosting services for the Web+Center product for those requiring a hosted Web+Center solution.