Finding a good ColdFusion hosting company is a challenge for many ColdFusion developers who don't have access to their own servers. This month, CFDJ interviews CFDynamics partner Jason Egan for the scoop on the company's ColdFusion hosting services.

CFDJ: How did CFDynamics get started?
Egan: CFDynamics is a division of Konnections, Inc. - we've been in business for over eight years. We have been hosting CF applications for that entire time on a limited basis, and started hosting CF publicly as CFDynamics.com about two-and-a-half years ago.

CFDJ: Why ColdFusion hosting?
Egan: We saw a gap in the ColdFusion community that needed to be filled - too few experienced hosts, all overpriced.

CFDJ: What versions of ColdFusion do you support?
Egan: ColdFusion 5.0 and MX for Windows, and we hope to have Linux versions of ColdFusion MX available in the future as well.

CFDJ: And what Web server(s) do you run on your CF5/CFMX Windows machines?
Egan: We're running IIS 5 servers.

CFDJ: What do you feel separates you from other companies that offer ColdFusion hosting?
Egan: We were a development firm before we were a host - so we have a greater understanding of what is required in a hosting environment from a customer and developer standpoint. We didn't get into the hosting business because we thought there was a "quick buck" to be made.

Rather, as developers, we saw there was a lack of quality hosting in the ColdFusion community and we think we have what it takes to fill that gap. We did a lot of research before we started offering hosting to the ColdFusion community. We also spent an extensive period testing services by hosting for well-known members of the ColdFusion community, receiving feedback, and fine tuning services until it was just right. This is why we have excellent services and offer so much with our hosting packages, like unlimited e-mail accounts, tons of disk space and bandwidth, and MS SQL Server access with every account!

CFDJ: You say that one of the things that sets you apart from other hosting providers is that you have a true understanding of what ColdFusion developers are looking for in a host. An overriding theme in the conversations I've had with other ColdFusion developers regarding ColdFusion hosting has been a lack of timely support. How does CFDynamics address this issue?
Egan: In general we have an excellent record of quick turnaround on support issues. Providing intelligent and friendly support is very important to us. That is why we have gone to such great lengths to provide a friendly support staff that is knowledgeable in a wide variety of Web technologies, server hardware, and Internet protocols. We take time to help the "newbie" and have the experience to help developers.

CFDJ: In terms of hosting ColdFusion sites, what aspect do you find most challenging?
Egan: I would have to say the most challenging part of hosting is finding out which customer may be causing a problem on a server, let alone debugging code as we help a customer determine why their code doesn't work or causes problems. Just about everyone has their own style of coding; with so many ways to get the same results, and then toss another language into the mix... the list goes on and on. We have developed some proprietary tools that help us pinpoint problems and easily take care of them, in most cases before customers are even aware there is a possible problem.

CFDJ: Can you give our readers an overview of the types of hosting plans you offer, as well as the costs?
Egan: We offer simple hosting accounts for basic dynamic sites with an Access or MS SQL Server database back end starting at as little as $16.95/month, up to hosting plans with a ton of disk space and bandwidth to meet the needs of the most demanding customers, starting at just $49.95/month. We also offer dedicated hosting for those who require greater control over their site.

CFDJ: Going forward, how do you see CFDynamics growing, and what additional services/offerings are on the horizon?
Egan: We see ourselves growing by continuing to stay involved with the CF community and by adding new and innovative services. One thing on the horizon is a completely custom control panel that is built from the ground up, and chock-full of customer suggestions.

We've recently added even more bandwidth from four major providers, and plan on implementing a redundant/clustered server network environment for our customers. We are committed to continuing our extensive involvement with Macromedia partners such as PaperThin and AbleCommerce, as well as with developers, to provide exciting and innovative products and services to our customers at reasonable prices.

CFDJ: If you could ask Macromedia for one enhancement to ColdFusion that would make your life as a hosting provider easier, what would it be?
Egan: Better logging tools - making it easier to separate the logs by domain rather than having to sort through the logs for a single incident like a needle in a haystack. Thankfully we have automated tools that help with this.

CFDJ: Who can readers contact for more information, or to open an account?
Egan: Sales@cfdynamics.com, or sign up online at www.cfdynamics.com.