Parallels Acquires ModernGigabyte - FAQs
Acquisition Summary
- Parallels acquired ModernGigabyte, LLC on January 11, 2008
- ModernGigabyte is the maker of ModernBill software and other automation solutions for the hosting provider market
The acquisition of ModernGigabyte provides customers with new bundled product offerings and continued integration between popular control panel and billing products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Parallels announcing?
Parallels is announcing the acquisition of ModernGigabyte, the creators of the ModernBill automated billing system.
What is Parallels acquiring?
- ModernBill, a billing system for hosting and service providers
- ModernAuthorize, a real-time payment and credit card processing service
- SSL Factory, an automated delivery system for SSL cetificates
- ModernDNS, an automated domain registration service
- FraudGuardian, a real-time fraud checking service for online ordering
Why did Parallels acquire ModernGigabyte?
Parallels believes that customers will benefit from this acquisition. ModernBill is already integrated with many of the Parallels family of hosting products and now small hosting providers will be able to purchase both control panels and a billing solution from the same company.
Dedicated hosting providers can offer ModernBill along with Plesk to create a complete reseller package.
Parallels ISV partners which have adopted the Application Packaging Standard (APS) will benefit by having a ready to deliver solution for hosting companies to sell their products.
What are the terms of the acquisition?
Unfortunately, we cannot disclose the terms of the acquisition due to confidentiality commitments with the seller.
What will happen to the ModernGigabyte products?
Parallels will maintain ModernGigabyte products and services in their current form. Development of the ModernBill platform will continue and new releases, patches, and bug fixes will be distributed through the usual processes.
What will happen to the ModernBill product name?
In the short term the ModernBill product name will be maintained. Over time the product logo and name will be brought under the Parallels product branding umbrella and called Parallels Plesk Billing.
Will Parallels continue to provide future releases of ModernBill?
Yes. Once we meet with the ModernGigabyte development team, we will determine a roadmap for future releases of ModernBill. The roadmap will be focused on integration with hosting solutions which will drive revenue for service providers. Solutions for the APS Standard as well as existing customer requests will be considered as high priority items.
Will ModernBill software prices change?
Parallels plans to maintain the current prices on the ModernBill website.
Will Parallels prices change?
Parallels will offer a bundled price for Parallels Plesk Control Panel as well as ModernBill. Information about this bundle is available on the Parallels website.
What will happen with existing support contracts?
Parallels will honor existing support contracts. Services engagements that are underway/planned will continue according to the timelines established prior to the acquisition.
Will there be any changes to support?
ModernBill customers will continue to receive support from their existing ModernBill support team. The ModernBill support team will benefit from additional knowledge and expertise provided by Parallels. Existing support incidents will be managed as they were prior to the acquisition.
Where can existing customers go to download product patches, release notes, and similar items?
ModernBill customers can get this information from the ModernBill website. During the transition period, customers will be informed as materials are moved to the Parallels website.
What does this mean for ModernBill technology and strategic partners?
Business partners will now have the possibility to leverage a larger selection of products and distribution reach. Individual contracts and agreements will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Should existing ModernGigabyte distribution partners continue marketing ModernGigabyte products and services?
Yes. Please continue marketing ModernBill solutions as you did prior to the acquisition. Parallels does not want to impact your operation in any way.
How should ModernGigabyte distributors communicate this to their customers?
ModernBill distributors should point their customers to our press release and refer them to the Parallels website (www.parallels.com/modernbill).
Where can I go for more help?
Parallels is committed to helping the hosting industry. To help customers, press, and other interested parties during the time of this transition, we have established a separate email address which is monitored by a special transition team. If you have any questions about this acquisition which have not been addressed in these frequently asked questions, then you may contact us.