Parallels has updated its Plesk software for automating web hosting, making it easier for end users to configure and manage a web site and deploy applications.

Available immediately, Parallels Plesk Panel 9.0 has multiple levels of functionality for hosting providers and businesses operating their own web site or online services.

The latest release is focused more on helping small to medium business (SMB) customers, which often do not have a dedicated IT team, according to Jack Zubarev, president of Parallels' Service Provider division.

"The move to a hosted model is accelerating as SMBs find they can replace their own infrastructure with hosted services. With Plesk, an SMB can successfully manage IT in the cloud," he said.

Many of the changes in Plesk Panel 9.0 are in the web-based software's user interface, designed to make it easier to set up and configure online services.

"Over the last 18 months, we analysed usage patterns of users and added improvements in the way information is presented," said Zubarev, adding that this should also have the knock-on effect of fewer support calls to the hosting provider.

Parallels has also added access to a catalogue of applications in the Application Packaging Standard format, enabling customers to add these to their online package with a single click.

"SMBs can deploy any mixture from a choice of over 200 apps, from blogging software to customer relationship management," said Zubarev.

New in Plesk Panel 9.0 is a 'reseller level' of functionality, giving resellers an overview of all the clients for which they manage services. A multi-level backup feature has also been added to let customers, resellers and host providers independently operate their own backup policies for data.

"SMBs and resellers can schedule their own backup, and the service provider can back up as well, all through a convenient web interface," said Zubarev.

Parallels expects Plesk Panel 9.0 to be available chiefly through host providers as part of a service offering, but SMBs can purchase or lease the product on a per-month basis directly from Parallels.