web hosting

Helms: The Ultimate Windows Control Panel

For the most part, web hosting control panels are platform specific, meaning they are designed to function with a particular operating system.  While Linux users get the benefit of the industry leading cPanel software, those who prefer Windows are not left out in the cold.  This article will introduce you to Helm, the preferred control panel for the Windows platform.

What is Helm?

Created by software developer Parallels, Helm is a powerful control application that offers numerous benefits to web hosting companies, providing the ability to automate and control their operation with ease.  Its flexibility is able to support companies of all sizes, running seamlessly on a single server or across thousands of machines.  Helm streamlines the server-to server to communication in a secure manner, allowing providers to be more efficient while cutting back tremendously on administrative time.

Scalability

Although most web hosts start out with just a few servers, having the ability to upgrade to hundreds more is crucial.  Helm provides that scalability that enables a hosting company to go from one to hundreds to thousands of servers with no lag in performance.  Its powerfully unique service distribution facility has the ability to run multiple services on any server and is even compatible with services from other providers.

Centralized Interface

Helm is a straightforward control panel that offers all the essential features and services right from the interface.  This allows companies to easily manage their customer base regardless of how many or what types of servers are being used.  Helm allows you to administer sites on everything from mail servers to remote servers.

Built-in Communication System

Helm’s simplistic approach adds ease to the task of customer relations as the integrated communications system is designed in a manner that allows you to stay in touch with your clients.  Helm automates many of these processes including the distribution of invoices and payment reminders.

Advanced Billing System

Helm is perfectly suited for a web hosting business as it providers the ability to sell virtually any type of service.  For example, customers with complex hosting packages consisting of various add-ons can be invoiced for all those services in one simple, itemized invoice.  The software also allows you to automatically bill customers for services used on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis and offers payment options such as credit card, PayPal or bank account.

Customization

Helm gives you the ability to completely brand your business into the control panel.  You can incorporate custom HTML headers and footers as well as helpful links into your customers’ control panels.  What this means is that it allows you to give Helm the look and feel of your business without losing any of its power.

Helm is the ideal control panel for web hosting solutions.  The software is highly functional yet very user-friendly to the savvy administrator.  Helm’s greatest attribute is the fact that it passes along a similar level of power and simplicity down to the end-user.  Whether you’re looking to be a web host or tackle another business, the Helm software makes a great Windows control panel.

Pairing Control Panels and Platforms

Today’s web hosting packages are driven by features.  While everyone has varying needs, one feature that is vital to any webmaster is the control panel.  This software is what gives you the power to create and manage your web hosting account.  From designing the website to creating databases, it all originates from the control panel interface.  In this article we will discuss some of the most popular control panel applications and the platforms they are designed for.

Windows Control Panels

Helm is currently one of the most widely used control panels for the Windows operating system.  The software offers a number of user-friendly features including the integrated billing module.  This is an exclusive attribute that you typically will not find in the average control panel application.  Helm is best known for its ease of use and simple interface.

Another popular control panel for the Windows platform is Hosting Accelerator.  Although packed with features, the user interface is somewhat complex.  Because of this, Hosting Accelerator is more geared for experienced users.

Linux Control Panels

The leading control panel software, cPanel is designed for the Linux platform.  Many prefer this program because of its array of features, ease of use and low cost.  cPanel makes a viable solution for a wide range of needs from shared and VPS hosting to reseller and dedicated server accounts.

Though not as popular as cPanel, DirectAdmin is a powerful control panel and hailed by some as one of the best.  Designed for Linux as well, DirectAdmin is extremely easy to use and loaded with features.

Cross-Platform Control Panels

Platform specific control panels present disadvantages to the end-users and especially the web host as they stand to miss out customers who prefer one platform or the other.  For this reason, more providers are turning to cross-platform solutions to cover the two major operating systems.

The Plesk control panel is available for both Windows and Linux and is the preferred choice for many web hosting companies.  This software offers a user-friendly interface with the look and feel of Windows XP.  Plesk comes packed with numerous features including a comprehensive web building tool that allows you to create your site with ease.  Because it serves both platforms, hosting with Plesks tends to be more expensive than other control panels.

H-Sphere is another program suited for the Windows and Linux operating system.  Though widely used, H-Sphere is lacking in the feature department in comparison to cPanel and Plesk.  However, it does offer all the basics and automates several administrative tasks.

Recommendations

According to ratings across the web, cPanel is the preferred control panel for the Linux system while Helm is more preferred by Windows users.  After deciding on a program, you should then take a look at other key features offered by the web host as they will all be integrated into your control panel.  Although one should never judge the overall quality of service soley on the control panel, the type of software you work with is critical nevertheless.