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It is often constructive to look at the world through some else’s eyes. You get a fresh and different view of things. So it was while attending the recent Parallels Summit in Washington, D.C. This is the third year of the event and it has grown considerably each year - with this year’s audience numbering over 500 and representing 20 different countries. Rather than present a step-by-step rehash of the event or trying to summarize the specific presentations, this article will instead give a high level overview of the world view generally communicated across the two day conference. As Parallels is a leader is virtualization and automation, our piece will focus on virtual servers, VPS hosting and virtual environments.

Point 1: Virtualization is not just the future, it is the present. Repeatedly throughout the Parallels Summit one could hear this theme repeated. Virtual environments are not a far off dream that might be implemented at some future date, but running quite well in mass at large hosting providers worldwide.

Point 2: SaaS is not futuristic, it exists today. Software as a Service (SaaS) was a surprisingly recurrent theme at this event as well. The idea of shipping plastic disks around for engineers to load software onto local PCs that have to be maintained, patched and updated is now quaint. Just as salesforce.com has re-invented the sales tracking space with its SaaS model - so too will a plethora of future applications and functions follow. It is just a matter of time.

Point 3: The hosting industry continues to mature, and growth is slowing down. Pointing to consolidation and flattening customer acquisition rates for shared hosting in particular, numerous speakers reiterated this point. Which leads to a sub-point below.

Point 4: Managed hosting and SaaS are growing segments. While growth in shared hosting is slowing, managed hosting is becoming more accessible and costs are falling. Similarly, SaaS is opening new revenue and hosting opportunities as adoption rates for online software grow.

Point 5: Unless a hosting company automates fully it will not survive. Manual processes are not efficient and rob precious margin from the bottom line. Every process that becomes fully automated reduces operating costs and increases profits.

Point 6: An open standard for systems is best. Parallels is very busy working on the Application Packaging Standard (APS) to create an open platform for Parallels users and developers.

There were many other great and detailed presentation points made during the Parallels Summit over the two days. Additionally, great off site events included a sensational boat cruise on the Potomac River sponsored by Microsoft and a professional baseball game on Tuesday night. Many influencial hosting companies were represented including 1 and 1, Go Daddy, and VPS hosting experts HostMySite.com. Networking opportunities abounded, and business relationships and friendships were made as well. According to the event organizing staff, next year’s Parallels Summit may be held in a different city, perhaps even Las Vegas. If you are able to attend, you may want to plan for it - that way you can once again view the virtual server world through Parallel’s eyes.