Posts filed under 'Service Improvements'
We had been quiet for a while but we had not been idle. Last week, We just launched our hosting service in Singapore. We have a local presence in Singapore through a partner so it is not just a virtual presence but physical as well.
As previously posted, our VPS servers are based in Singapore. Singapore is an excellent option (beside Hong Kong) China users. It does not have the registration requirement (备案) for website and yet fast enough for most China users.
If you like to try out our VPS, drop me a line and I can setup a test server for you.
More service improvement are coming your way, so if you don’t see them, just ask.
August 10th, 2007
Without much fan-fare, we launched our VPS hosting service based on Xen technology. We are probably the very few that sells Xen VPS hosting in China.
Xen is server virtualization technology that allows multiple instant of (virtual) servers to run within a (physical) server.
Unlike traditional virtual-hosting where the server space is share among users, each VPS user gets their own partition of disk space, processor time and IP address.
For the tech-enthusiasts, it means a lower cost to own a server and be the sysadmin that you had always wanted to be.
For business and website owners, it means more security, privacy and ability to run additional function which requires an unique IP such as SSL with a certificate .
Unfortunately we are not able to offer Xen VPS in China yet. We still have not managed to get more IPs from the datacenter without costing us 1000+yuan per IP. (If you know how or like to collaborate, get in touch.)
Of course we all know that it is not true that IP is running out in China. So those that are allocated IPs are basically holding on to a license to print cold hard cash. We hope things will change soon in China.
In the meantime, our servers are located in Singapore. Fast enough for China and across Asia as well as to US and Europe. More locations will be available across the globe in partnership with other service providers.
In summary, get a VPS server for
- more security
- more privacy
- full server functionalities
- lower cost compared to dedicated server
Find out more about our VPS servers and contact us for a test drive of our Xen VPS.
June 15th, 2007
We had integrated PayPal as one of our hosting payent option so customer who do not transact in Chinese Yuan can simply pay us in US Dollars through PayPal.
With PayPal you can also use your credit card for payment, simply make the appropriate selection as you check out.
We believe this removes a huge obstacle in purchasing hosting in China for foreigners.
On the credit card payment front, after much struggle we decided to drop ChinaBank (网银在线) in favor of EximBay a Singapore-Korean online payment solution. The integration is well underway, so expect yet another payment option soon.
With so many payment options, there is sure to be one that suits you. (Let us know if there is a particular payment option that you like us to have)
Online Payment in China had come a long way, but there are still nitty gritty details that get into the nerves of merchants. This is one reason why there are many individual payment using solution like AliPay but not many merchant solution using credit card.
One of our goal is to facilitate ecommerce setup in China. Talk to us if you are planning ecommerce in China.
May 23rd, 2007
China has 3 long holiday seasons each year each lasting a week . The May First holiday (五一, Labor Day) , the October First holiday (十一, National Day) and the Chinese New Year (春节) that falls between the month of January and February (determined by the lunar calendar).
One of the thing we are very concerned about is the effect of these long holiday season on the service respond level at our datacenter. Most people go on extended leave during this period although there are still people on duty 24hours in the data center.
This week was the May Holiday and we decided to take this opportunity do a little stress’ test on the data centers where we have our servers located. To make things a little more challenging, we did our surprise in the wee hour of the morning.
The results are some what satisfactory except for one worrying incident.
At one of the data center, we were not able to reach the technician on duty after repeated calls. The next day I called up the supervisor and he apologized explaining that the technician had fallen asleep as he was the lone person on duty over the holiday.
Upon further enquiries about how he is going to ensure that similar incident does not happen, he turned hostile and asked me if I wanted to take things down that road.
Sensing I had pressed a little too hard, I quickly took the position of trying to improve service.
While more and more datacenters are being built (mostly stated owned), the standard of data center in China still have miles to catch up in terms of service level.If you have server in China, surely you have similar story to share.
If you are planning to put a server in China, talk to us. You could be doing yourself a favor not having to deal with the frustration in a language that you barely understand.
May 4th, 2007
You might be surprised but online payment is alive and well in China. Compared to a few years ago, making online payment is getting easier everyday.
The only caveat - you have to read Chinese. Most of the payment interface are in Chinese only or have badly translated English interface. If you do not read Chinese, online payment can still be a challenge.
At 59Box, one of the things we wanted to do is to make it easy for customer to pay us. (We don’t understand why many companies here make it so difficult to pay them.)
Beside the usual cash and crediting into bank account, we are lining up a few popular online payment options. You can find the information on our Payment page.
Online Credit Card payment
Credit card is getting more popular in China especially with the young and mobile working professionals. Integrating with credit card processor for China issued cards is pretty straight forward. We had integrated with ChinaBank Payment to process local credit cards.
In order to accept cards issued outside China, a more beat-about route is required. Currently we are going through the process and hopefully will be able to accept all credit cards very, very soon.
AliPay
Have not heard of AliPay? It is a service similar to PayPal, with some China favor thrown in. Just like PayPal, you can sign up with your email and make payment to another email address.
We have an AliPay account and is integrating the payment process. So if you have an AliPay account, you can choose this option.
Online Bank Transfer
Internet banking is also becoming popular option nowadays. By far the best internet banking platform we have seen is from Industrial and Commercial Bank (ICBC). Ask for the internet-banking service when you open an account.
With Internet banking you can do online fund transfer to our account. There is no charge if your account is in Shanghai and a small charge if outside of Shanghai. Our account information is on the Payment page.
Transfer with ATM machine
OK this is not strictly online but still very convenient if you hold an account with any of the local banks below. Simply go to the ATM and do a fund transfer to us. Our account information can be found on our Payment page.
- Bank of China
- Industrial and Commercial Bank
- Bank of Communications
- China Construction Bank
- China Merchants Bank
- Agriculture Bank
So there you have it, payment made easy. But it does not stop here. If you still need other options like PayPal, Moneybookers, Western Union, etc. Just get in touch with us.
March 21st, 2007
Before we officially launch (after the Chinese New Year), here’s a little survey about hosting in China.
Let us know your thoughts about hosting in China. Leave a comment here if the survey is inadequate to express yourself.
Getting and maintaining a hosting in China can be challenge. For those that had experience with hosting outside of China, it is just not “what you know it to be“.
Let us know what your concerns, hopes and wishes are for China hosting. Our pleasures are in getting those solved.
February 15th, 2007