[London, ENGLAND] California-based Web site
implementer SiteSmith, Inc. announced Wednesday
the second phase of its European expansion, opening
full service operations in France, Germany and the
Netherlands.
SiteSmith, soon to be part of Metromedia Fiber Network
if the deal gets regulatory approval, is one of the
world’s most prominent site developers. It provides
a total service, including all the technology and services
for security, 24×7 monitoring, network redundancy and
backup.
With over 460 employees and fifteen offices worldwide,
SiteSmith has a list of customers that includes
About.com, Booz Allen & Hamilton, Brooks Brothers
and BP Amoco.
Wednesday’s announcement also gave the names of
five people appointed to top European jobs. Managing
directors of their respective country operations are
Robert Chidiac (France), Dr. Robert Philipp (Germany),
Pim Berger (Netherlands) and John Dowbiggin (United Kingdom).
Gerrit van Munster has also been appointed as vice president
of human resources for SiteSmith Europe, Middle East and
Africa.
“Their deep knowledge of their respective local markets
combined with their ability to grow high tech businesses
will help SiteSmith rapidly expand its European business,”
commented David Winn, president of SiteSmith EMEA.
John Dowbiggin, the new managing director of SiteSmith U.K.,
was formerly with Cable & Wireless Ltd. where he was vice
president of the Internet Protocol solutions division. He
has also held positions with Internet Network Services
and TeleWest Communications.
Dr. Robert Philipp, heading up SiteSmith Germany, has
joined the company from IT consultancy firm Cluster Consulting,
for which he launched a German subsidiary.
SiteSmith makes a strong case for the outsourcing of Internet
infrastructure management. It points out that businesses have to
address all the challenges of Web site design and implementation
in the context of greater time-to-market pressures, limited
resources, rapid technological change and a shortage of personnel.
What is more, says SiteSmith, especial attention needs to be
given to site reliability, security and scalability — all of
which have become increasingly important.
SiteSmith has its own Operations Platform to accelerate site
deployment and make management of the site easier, a factor which it
claims gives it an edge over the competition.