SoftLayer to Offer Microsoft WebMatrix to its Customers

Web development platform provides integrated tools for streamlined site creation.

SoftLayer Technologies, an on-demand data center services provider, recently announced that the company is making the Microsoft WebMatrix development platform available to Microsoft Windows Server 2008 users. WebMatrix is an all-inclusive, free tool that includes everything developers need to create, customize, and publish websites.

The company avers that key features and advantages include:

Create, customize, and publish websites and applications
Build easily with apps like WordPress, Joomla!, Drupal, Umbraco, and more
Deploy ASP.NET and PHP apps on the same server
Support MySQL and Microsoft SQL databases
Increase visibility with search engine optimization tools and reports
Get online with one-click website and database publishing

According to it, WebMatrix can be easily added to any new SoftLayer Dedicated Server running Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 when ordering through the company's website or Customer Portal. Users simply select Microsoft Windows Server as the operating system and add WebMatrix as an OS-Specific Add-on at the time of ordering. After the server is provisioned, the WebMatrix installation package can be downloaded through a link in the Customer Portal. For a limited time, the company is offering a special introductory promotion for WebMatrix customers. The first 1,000 new dedicated servers or CloudLayer instances ordered with any version of Microsoft Windows Server R2 + WebMatrix installed will receive a combined credit of $40 per month for the first six months.

"Microsoft WebMatrix provides SoftLayer customers an easy-to-use, all-in-one solution for web development," said Andrew Maten, Vice President of IS Windows Systems for SoftLayer. "The WebMatrix platform was designed to streamline web development environments - simply and easily integrating a suite of development applications."

"We are excited to see SoftLayer bring the value and benefits of Windows Server and WebMatrix to its customers," said Gavriella Schuster, General Manager, U.S. Server Marketing & Operations, Microsoft Corp.. "With the integration of WebMatrix, SoftLayer customers will benefit from quick configuration and access to a very powerful and flexible web development platform."