Let’s Try Data Centers

German software giant SAP wants more of the application-hosting market, and on Monday, it struck up deals with Hewlett-Packard and Electronic Data Systems to get it. SAP named the two companies as preferred data center providers.

Cnet News reported that the overall ASP market is in flux, with rivals, including HP and EDS, still fine-tuning their business models in the search for profits. The struggle to overcome the tide of red ink is leading many smaller firms to get out of the way of the large firms and find acquirers.

EDS said it will offer data center services for application and implementation hosting. HP will host SAP’s customer relationship management and supply-chain management software. It will also host online marketplaces for SAP customers.

Thin Is In

This week, Citrix Systems, one of the first third-party software developers to support the thin-client model, will announce an upgraded version of its MetaFrame middleware product, according to ZDNet.

Last year, the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based firm was plagued by revenue shortfalls and a management shakeup. Its revival largely depends upon a successful launch of the latest version of its flagship product, called MetaFrame XP. The product allows desktop clients to execute functions on applications hosted on the network server.

ZDNet reported that the upgrade will come in three versions, XPe for enterprises with as many as 1,000 servers, XPa for up to 100 servers, and XPs for departments and single-server applications. The software will cost from $290 per user to $400 per user.

The upgrade will also work with network management products from Hewlett-Packard and IBM’s Tivoli Systems subsidiary.

Another Departure from SAS

Andre Boisvert has resigned as president and chief operating officer at SAS Institute, a year after he was hired by the privately held software company, according to the Associated Press. Boisvert declined to comment on his departure.

But he is only one of several senior executives to leave the firm recently, the AP reported. In the past month Marianna Suciu, former president of SAS Americas, and Stephen J. Wiehe, senior director of strategic investments and mergers and acquisitions, resigned for posts at publicly traded technology companies.

Boisvert was hired last February as vice president of business development and strategic investments, and he was promoted in September to president and chief operating officer. The firm has been planning to go public this year or early next, but the departures call that strategy into question.

A week ago, founder, chairman, and chief executive officer Jim Goodnight, said he would assume Suciu’s responsibilities, but on Monday, it was not clear who would take over for Boisvert. The company ‘s products include CFO Vision and CFO Vision for Budgeting.

Rest Assured

An Internet trading site, eReinsure.com, was recently launched to lower the transaction costs for corporations buying or selling reinsurance, according to National Underwriter. The site began as a simple B2B exchange, but it has evolved into a forum for negotiating deals. It has progressed to the point where it can be used to issue certificates.

National Underwriter reported that insurers have been looking for a means to lower transaction costs for reinsurance. The site’s investors include Chubb Insurance, which owns 20 percent, the Inter-Pacific Capital Corp., and private investors. The company is headquartered in Salt Lake City. Companies who wish to use the site have to pay a setup fee.

Bits and Bytes

• CacheFlow Inc. launched a system that lets corporate users and managed service providers integrate content publishing and distribution, billing, storage, and user policy requirements into their content delivery network. Called the cIQ Director, the system will be available in March.

• Intelligroup Inc. announced a three-year contract with Dade Behring, a clinical diagnostic company, to provide application management and support for the firm’s electronic data interchange system.