One of the most recent startups to catch my attention is Fuscan.com, a hosting automation provider launched and managed by Single OS. The Linux cloud offered by Fuscan focuses on helping web hosting service providers who base their services on cPanel/WHM the ability to easily create and manage their own cloud environment with minimal risks and easy migration for existing customers; once customer accounts have been moved from a standalone server to the newly created clustered interface, Fuscan allows the web host to control all enterprise operations via Fuscan with resellers using WHM and shared clients still utilizing cPanel.

With additional features like its ability to provide high availability and scalability to hosting customer in a shared environment and advanced load-balancing across all nodes for the smoothest experience possible, Fuscan’s cloud can also help typical hosting providers drastically reduce their hardware and software costs; a list of recommended system management, power and cooling hardware offered by Fuscan is guaranteed to provide up to a 50% savings on data center space when customers base their systems on the company’s suggestions.

The technical offerings by Single OS and Fuscan.com are offset very nicely with the company’s drive to create a well-known, well-supported product that does everything is says it will. With marketing solutions centered around their ability to show and prove where their product is concerned, Fuscan has already established itself as a Silver Sponsor at last year’s HostingCon event and will attend HostingCon 2010 as an exhibitor, presenting their product on that grand industry stage for the first time.

Between a product that looks to have the potential to revolutionize an already revolutionary industry and a marketing strategy that focuses on outlining the specifics of their product rather than chattering endlessly about clouds, Fuscan will be one automation services provider to keep an eye on through 2010 and into the future. With several customers around the world currently running test installations of Fuscan’s technology and support for another major control panel in the works, hosting providers may want to begin that watching now.

How does it work? Lucky SquareUp beta testers with iPhones connect a small swiping dongle to the iPhone audio jack. The customer’s credit card is swiped, the customer signs via the touchscreen and enters an e-mail address for receipt purposes. Currently, the passed about word is there are no lengthy contracts or monthly fees – one can only assume there are transaction fees but only beta testers are currently privy to that information.

This new concept is being headed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and is being funded by numerous angels including Khosla Ventures. Dorsey has indicated that the iPhone is just the first step in integrating with mobile media devices. The Android and Blackberry are the next two devices on the SquareUp path and hopefully followed by many more.

The feedback around the Internet on this new service is a bit mixed. As not a lot of information has been released about the inner workings of SquareUp, much of what can be found is pure speculation. The excitement is most certainly palpable as any inexpensive mode for conducting payment transactions is always a good thing.

However, many are concerned over the security aspect of the service. LiveFyre, a beta service itself, houses an interesting and ongoing discussion on the challenges Internet users feel that may face SquareUp. One user has noted that it may not be too difficult to implement an iPhone-based skimmer – a program that captures bank card information for fraudulent purposes. It has also been noted that as the dongle device connects to the audio jack, two issues may arise – one, many do not want yet another piece of equipment to have to carry around and two, audio jacks are not designed for this type of usage and may end up damaged.

Still, the appeal is there due to what seems to be a lack of ongoing and frankly expensive costs brought about by normal merchant payment gateways. This does not seem like a service for those with numerous daily transactions; freelancers, small businesses and perhaps individuals with the need for a quick way to be paid may be the target market for this service. Until more information is released (which does not look likely until after the beginning of 2010), SquareUp is worth keeping an eye on.

In this day and age, when anyone with a computer can conceivably offer hosting services, is there anything sacred? Can you really put trust in a company that doesn’t catch typos on its own press release? Perhaps this is a tough analysis, because after all, the CEO is a 16 year old. But that’s just the point, his age seems to be the most persuasive argument for and against using Host-Monkey.

Case in point, Host-Monkey doesn’t offer easily accessible contact information, although it boosts 24/7 customer support. A simple oversight? If you neglect to add your contact information, you might as well not even exist as an online brand. A point of contact is essential, especially in the virtual world, where a company’s most valuable offering is a reliable customer service department.

Of course these mistakes are newbie mistakes, but there’s no room for newbie mistakes in the fiercely competitive and over-crowded world of web hosting.

Host-Monkey seeks to differentiate itself from the crowd by providing honest service. There’s something so innocent about youthful idealism. That said, I actually do believe Host-Monkey’s claims. I believe Host-Monkey will provide transparent service at low prices. What I’m not sold on is their ability to rise above the juvenile facade and provide solid hosting to those who are accustomed to quality service. When youth is the main distinguishing component of a web host, one must wonder if it is the only thing worth considering.

The catch is that it’s a catch. Webfusion is hoping to spark interest in North America with its enticing deals, but how long can you expect the good prices to last?

We can use another UK-turned-American host, 1&1.com to predict the future. 1&1.com started off as a small German company that expanded its territory throughout Europe, and eventually reaching North America in 2003. It differentiated itself by offering simple hosting solutions, cheap or free domains (with hosting), and 24/7 customer service.

Let’s compare it with Webfusion.

Webfusion has been around since 1997. It’s a very popular UK host, currently serving over 1 million sites, and has registered over 2 million domains. It’s known for its reliability, which is good news for anyone looking to host with Webfusion. This web host seems to have their act together. The site is quick and informative, and they offer 24/7, 365 customer service with a toll free number. Sounds strikingly familiar, doesn’t it?

Perhaps that’s because of Thomas Vollrath, the CEO of Webfusion, and the former CEO of 1&1.com. It appears that Vollrath is carrying his same vision of clarity of service, great prices, and committed customer support over to another web host, and hoping to make Webfusion as successful as its predecessor, 1&1.com.

If he is indeed going to follow the same pattern as 1&1.com, Webfusion will probably maintain its great prices. Six years into its American invasion, 1&1.com still offers free domain registration with inexpensive web hosting. For now, Webfusion comes in at just $1.00 less than 1&1.com, with these three packages: Newbie ($2.99/per month), Techie ($6.99/per month), and Guru ($14.99/per month). The Web space ranges from 10 GB to 400 GB, with bandwidth from 300 GB to 500 GB. You can have anywhere from 10 – 100 MySQL databases, depending on the package you choose. It can’t hurt to try it, because you get a 30 day money back guarantee, if you’re unsatisfied for any reason.

Overall, if you’re looking to host with a reputable company, Webfusion appears to be a great choice. It is a company millions trust, and it’s following a model that has withstood the test of time.