Unisys has launched Infrahost, the first of a number of its worldwide application service provider (ASP) initiatives, claiming the new model will overcome problems restricting growth in the market.
Unisys, which claims to be the first global outsourcing company to commit to this market sector in Australia, will act as an application infrastructure provider to software vendors who want to deliver software in an ASP forum but don't have the resources to host an appropriate facility.
In an endeavour to initiate this facility Unisys has established an ASP centre at the Sydney suburb of Ryde, the first in Australia and the first of 23 planned centres around the world.
Paul Gleeson, director of Unisys' ASP services, said: "In the next 18 months, every corporate IT manager will face a software decision: whether to rent or buy.
Unisys will provide the infrastructure, network integration, software and back-up solutions ASPs need, leaving the software developer to concentrate on its core competencies.
"We are removing the boundaries to software vendors.
"Unlike the traditional ASP model, in which the ASP goes to market with just a handful of applications addressing particular sectors and disenfranchising the other software vendors with like products, Unisys is enabling all software vendors to become ASPs, removing the need for complex partnering agreements," Gleeson said.
Oracle and Progress Software are partnering with Unisys on this initiative, referring their customers and partners to the service.
Until now software vendors have tried to provide these services to businesses by partnering with one of the smaller hosting firms.
"It has been small companies trying to be outsourcing companies," Gleeson said.