The producer of virtualization and automation software Parallels, announced this week that it integrated Open-Xchange open source e-mail and collaboration software with its Operations Automation SaaS Module. According to the software producer, now its partners can deliver a cost-effective alternative to commercial e-mail and collaboration products at very competitive price.

Parallels packaged the Open-Xchange software in the Application Packaging Standard (APS) format. The producers of Virtuozzo Containers Os virtualization technology and Plesk hosting automation system also announced that the new solution is available to end-users via its partners - web hosting companies and Internet service providers.

The CEO of Parallels Serguei Beloussov told IT media that leveraging the Parallels Operations Automation SaaS Module enables APS compatible application companies like Open-Xchange to help service providers to grow profitability. "We are happy to see application vendors like Open-Xchange embrace the Application Packaging Standard (APS) format as they are a highlight to the growing list of over 200 applications that can seamlessly integrate their applications into Parallels Automation products", said Mr. Belousov.

Rafael Laguna the CEO of Open-Xchange said that the company's software is the only email and groupware solution, specifically designed for web hosting and SaaS providers.

Due to the open source nature, Open-Xchange can be easily integrated into different web hosting infrastructures. As a part of Parallels Automation SaaS Module web hosts and service providers can implement Open-Xchange without changing their authentication, user setup, system administration, and etc.