Zazu Internet/Rumba has introduced a new range of Web hosting packages, a market that has been neglected, says company spokesman Francois Joubert.
"We are in the ISP market, but we have realised that many people are competing aggressively in the hosting area. This is a new area for us, because even though we did have similar products on offer, people simply weren`t aware of this."
In addition to its existing Host & Dial 150 offering, Zazu/Rumba has added three new packages, starting with the basic R49-a-month Jumpstart, which also requires a once-off R49 instalment fee.
According to Joubert, Jumpstart includes three e-mail addresses, free Web-based e-mail and telephonic support. "This is aimed at people who maybe work for a company but are interested in starting something on the side, for example.
"We conducted research which showed us that there is huge demand for low-end Web hosting in SA."
The company has also introduced the Entrepreneur and Commerce packages, for small businesses with slightly higher requirements. All the offerings run on open source-based platforms - a trend Joubert says is growing fast.
"In terms of basic hosting, Linux is a stable platform and, if the requirements are not too heavy, it is actually ideal. Proprietary software is obviously more expensive to maintain, so open source will allow more affordable hosting.
"In fact, these specific offerings would not have been possible without open source."
Joubert says while open source is ideal for lower-end hosting, open source and proprietary both have specific niche markets.
The company is working on bundling packages for businesses with heavier hosting requirements, which will hopefully be available by the end of November, adds Joubert.
Telspace recently launched a low-cost Web hosting service costing R60 a month.
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