Rackspace Honored by SQL Server Readers for Speed and Stability of Services

SAN ANTONIO — Sept. 1, 2004 — Rackspace Managed Hosting today announced that it was chosen as the Best Hosting Service Provider by the readers of Penton Media’s SQL Server Magazine in the 2004 Readers’ Choice Awards.

SQL Server Magazine readers who use service providers to host the infrastructure for applications such as SQL Server look for fast, reliable servers and networks, deep expertise and responsive customer support. Reader’s Choice voters named Rackspace as the best hosting service provider for the speed and stability delivered by the company’s hosting platform.

"Recognition from customers in the industry is an honor and is the ultimate seal of approval for the products that won," said Kim Paulsen, Group Publisher, SQL Server Magazine. "The SQL Server Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards were started as a way for readers to choose and recommend the best technology products in the industry. The awards program gives readers the opportunity to voice their opinions and for leading technology companies to receive the recognition they deserve."

"As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner we work closely with Microsoft on early adoption and product development so our expertise in supporting SQL Server and other Microsoft products is unparalleled, said John Engates, chief technology officer, Rackspace Managed Hosting. "The Microsoft platform layered upon our Zero Downtime Network™ coupled with Fanatical Support™ enables us to deliver on the reliability and scalability our customers expect."

Readers were asked to vote on their product preferences in 10 broad technology categories. The ballot included the following categories: Business applications, Business intelligence products, Development tools, Disaster prevention recovery, Hardware, Security, Storage, SQL Server management, Training and certification, and Web-based services.

"Few people know more about the best values in SQL Server-related products and services than SQL Server Magazine readers—the people who actually use the products and buy them on behalf of their organizations," said Kathy Blomstrom, editor, SQL Server Magazine. "By voting for their favorite products and services, our readers have rewarded excellence in the SQL Server market."

About SQL Server Magazine

SQL Server Magazine is the definitive guide to building high-performance, reliable, scalable, and secure business solutions using SQL Server and Microsoft .NET technologies. SQL Server Magazine is the only resource devoted to providing database developers and administrators, application programmers, and business intelligence architects the technical, tactical, and hands-on information they need to implement and maintain world-class systems.

About Penton Media

Penton Media (www.penton.com) is a diversified business-to-business media company that provides high-quality content and integrated marketing solutions to the following industries: business technology/enterprise IT; aviation; design/engineering; electronics; food/retail; government/compliance; leisure/hospitality; manufacturing; mechanical systems/construction; health/nutrition and natural and organic products; and supply chain. Founded in 1892, Penton produces market-focused magazines, trade shows, conferences and online media, and provides a broad range of custom media and direct marketing solutions for business-to-business customers worldwide. For more information visit www.winnetmag.com/pressroom/ and www.penton.com.

About Rackspace

Rackspace Managed Hosting™ is the fastest growing managed hosting specialist offering the world"s only Self-Healing Network™, delivering 100 percent network availability. Founded in 1998, Rackspace offers a wide range of managed services for enterprise hosting platforms. The company has received numerous industry awards for its brand of customer service, known as Fanatical Support™, and was named in the 2003 InfoWorld 100 for technology innovation. For more information, visit www.rackspace.com, or call 800-961-2888.