SGI Unveils Internet Server for E-Commerce

As reported by Farhan Arif, BridgeNews, SGI, the company that powers the world's most demanding Internet sites, introduced its latest media commerce solution -- SGI Internet Server for E-Commerce. A powerful, thin 1U serving appliance complete with industry-leading e-commerce software from Mercantec that enables up to 150 storefronts per server, SGI Internet Server for E-Commerce sells for $4,495 U.S. list. Designed for service providers, the e-commerce version of SGI Internet Server provides a completely integrated, fully configured Linux OS-based solution that allows the merchant customers of service providers to quickly build attractive, user-friendly virtual storefronts to sell products over the Internet.

Designed for the small to medium-size service provider market, the e-commerce version of SGI Internet Server includes the award-winning Mercantec SoftCart software. As the first commercially available e-commerce software specifically designed for the shared-server environment, Mercantec SoftCart integrated with SGI Internet Server provides a complete, robust e-commerce solution.

"Even as the dot-com economy appears to be slowing down, studies are still showing phenomenal growth in the number of small businesses selling products over the Internet. We designed SGI Internet Server for E-Commerce to enable small to medium-size service providers to capitalize on consumers who are becoming more comfortable with buying products online. This affordable, reliable, easy-to-integrate version of SGI Internet Server provides rack-and-stack scalability for expanding their e-commerce services as their customer base and number of storefronts grow," said Cathy Lawson, director of product marketing and programs, Telecommunications and Media, SGI.

An Easy Way To Set Up Shop

SGI Internet Server for e-commerce offers service providers an easy-to-install and -maintain e-commerce hosting service. Their merchant customers can quickly and easily set up storefronts that offer appeal to their consumers.

The server offers full integration capabilities with secure payment systems and back-end commercial applications. Merchants can also take advantage of better inventory tracking with electronic data interface message formatting. SGI Internet Server for e-commerce is flexible in handling multiple shipping paradigms and powerful enough to calculate sales tax, VAT and shipping charges in real time.

Reduced Costs

SGI Internet Server provides rack-and-stack scalability, allowing service providers to expand the number of hosted storefronts with ease and minimal expense. SGI Internet Server for e-commerce makes it easy to deploy additional systems as business needs change. With integrated support for multiple virtual stores, SGI Internet Server provides exceptional ROI within a small 1U footprint that takes up minimal rack space. Equally important are the system administration and maintenance cost reductions inherent in a commercial e-commerce appliance.

SGI Internet Server includes integrated administration tools for management, system monitoring, security, troubleshooting and networking.

SGI Global Services

SGI reduces support costs by offering single-point-of-call support for hardware and operating system software, with timely response from the world-class SGI Global Services organization.

About Mercantec SoftCart

Mercantec SoftCart is considered one of the most popular e-commerce solutions on the market because of its reputation for ease of use, unparalleled security, proven reliability, open architecture and worldwide adaptability. Out of the box, SoftCart provides merchants with an easy-to-use StoreBuilder Wizard that walks new merchants through the simple steps of setting up a viable e-commerce storefront.

Media Commerce Solutions

SGI Internet Server for e-commerce is part of the Media Commerce solution suite of products from SGI that enable customers to create, manage, deliver and transact content over a vast range of networks. Media Commerce solutions for the Internet and media serving range from affordable Linux OS-based servers to powerful, scalable SGI servers based on IRIX operating system. Linux OS-compatible servers are ideal for Web serving, messaging, e-commerce and media streaming Internet services, while IRIX OS-compatible servers are optimal for high-volume broadband media streaming, carrier-class messaging and e-commerce database-intensive applications.

Availability and Pricing

The new SGI Internet Server for e-commerce will be available through SGI resellers beginning in February with a U.S. list price of $4,495.

About SGI

SGI provides a broad range of broadband Internet, high-performance computing and advanced graphics solutions that enable customers to understand and conquer their toughest computing problems. Media Commerce solutions from SGI enable telecommunications, Internet, media and entertainment customers to create, manage, deliver and transact content over a vast range of networks. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., with offices worldwide, the company is located on the Web at www.sgi.com.

Contact Lisa Pistacchio, 650-933-5683 or pistacchio@sgi.com of Silicon Graphics Inc.