Rackspace Managed Hosting Launches Worldwide Business Partner Program; Rackspace Signs Leading Integrators and Developers Into New Program [29th September 2003]

SAN ANTONIO, Sep 29, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Rackspace Managed Hosting, the leading managed hosting provider, today announced its worldwide Business Partner Program customized specifically to provide the system integrator and application developer community with the tools to attract and better serve their enterprise customers. An extension of Rackspace's successful customer referral program, the new Business Partner Program enables a combined customer value proposition, offering solid outsourced solutions that facilitate new revenue streams and company growth.

"Rackspace's loyal customers and referral program has been the cornerstone of our business -- more than 50 percent of our customers come by way of referral," said Glenn Reinus, vice president of sales, Rackspace Managed Hosting. "To show our commitment to those partners, we're launching a worldwide program that incentivizes partners to extend Rackspace's service offering to their customers. We've increased the level of sales and marketing tools we provide our partners, better supporting their efforts to grow revenues and build their businesses."

Rackspace is home to thousands of system integrators and application developers. The company recently signed Business Partner agreements with leading companies such as J. Walter Thompson, Redstone Telecom and Tequila, a Division of Martin Williams Inc.

"As a Rackspace business partner, our enterprise customers are assured that their business critical applications are hosted in a reliable and scaleable environment by a leader in managed hosting," said Chris Gregory, IT manager -- Minneapolis, J. Walter Thompson. "We trust Rackspace to provide our customers with the same Fanatical Support(tm) we've experienced first hand."

"Partnerships are central to the Redstone philosophy," said Malcolm McGougan, product marketing and development director, Redstone Communications Ltd. "We enjoy high-level accreditation from some of the world's leading providers of voice, data and Internet solutions. After actively looking for a partner in the hosting market and evaluating the industry leaders, we chose Rackspace because it offers the best overall solution and they are committed to offering the best customer service."

Through Rackspace's exclusive partner portal, business partners have at their disposal a complete collection of sales and marketing tools to help them grow their business. The available materials help communicate the value Rackspace brings to its partner product offerings. All partners will be included in Rackspace's online directory located in its customer portal and on www.rackspace.com, accessible to Rackspace current customers and prospects.

Rackspace provides numerous marketing resources to help expand business opportunities, and offers its partners loyalty bundles including development servers, software, reference manuals and industry association memberships.

For more information on the Rackspace Channel Partner Program, visit www. rackspace.com.

About Rackspace Managed Hosting

Rackspace Managed Hosting(tm) is a leading provider of managed Web hosting solutions. Founded in 1998, Rackspace offers a wide range of managed services for hosting platforms of all sizes and complexities, including burstable connectivity, 100 percent availability SLA, load balancing, security and patching, advanced storage solutions and disaster recovery. Rackspace has received numerous industry awards for its brand of customer service, known as Fanatical Support(tm), and was awarded the Frost & Sullivan Customer Value Enhancement (CVE) Award in 2002 and 2003. For more information, visit www.rackspace.com, or call 800-961-2888.

SOURCE: http://www.RackSpace.com

Rackspace Managed Hosting, San Antonio
Annalie Drusch, 210-892-4000, ext. 1234
adrusch@rackspace.com
or
Bridgeman Communications for Rackspace
Christine Cayer, 617-742-7270
christine@bridgeman.com