I know a ton about Unix hosting but I know nothing about hosting on Windows.

I have developed a Filemaker Pro database application and another Windows app for a client of mine. (It reads email box and puts email into Filemaker) Filemaker Pro handles the web services itself for up to 5 clients which is 4 more than I need....

I run it now on a local XP machine and life is good. (I have a static IP and it works fine.)

What I am looking for is a to move it to a datacenter where I have a "remote desktop" type interface or similar so I can just install my own software and be done with it. (no need for IIS or Exchange etc)

Is there some fairly reliable/ fairly cheap provider who provides something like this without collocating?

Thanks

I believe, you can look at VPS solution for your requirement whereby you will be getting administrative remote desktop access to your VPS and you will be able to install your custom applications on your VPS. If you need more control over your environment with better level of isolation and dedicated RAM, I'll recommend you to consider Hyper-V based VPS solution. BTW, what is your budget for this requirement?

Where did you need this to be located? Look for a host that can provide multiple locations and who is a genuine registered business (ie bank account, BBB etc)

Yes, as the above said, def. start out with a VPS.

Shared hosting isnt going to be a good route because you usually only get FTP access and cant run a custom application that would require you to have remote desktop access.

With a Windows VPS you get full remote desktop access to do as you wish with your virtual machine.

All you need is a Windows VPS, you will get RDP access and guaranteed amount of resources with the VPS. You may consider fully managed VPS so that the provider will be there to resolve all your issues.

I know a ton about Unix hosting but I know nothing about hosting on Windows.

I have developed a Filemaker Pro database application and another Windows app for a client of mine. (It reads email box and puts email into Filemaker) Filemaker Pro handles the web services itself for up to 5 clients which is 4 more than I need....

I run it now on a local XP machine and life is good. (I have a static IP and it works fine.)

What I am looking for is a to move it to a datacenter where I have a "remote desktop" type interface or similar so I can just install my own software and be done with it. (no need for IIS or Exchange etc)

Is there some fairly reliable/ fairly cheap provider who provides something like this without collocating?

Thanks

I suggest you first consider Filemaker Pro hosting services. That will cost less than a server, and less than some VPS systems. Plus you will not need to purchase another Filemaker Pro licence.

Thanks for all the great replies. I found a VPS that used Parallels (formerly Virtuozzo) and it came with RDP access...

I assume (and you know what happens when you assume) that this is standard on any Parallels based Windows VPS.

The tip on using a Filemaker hosting company was good but I have some other smaller stuff I need to run as well.

Thanks again.

(and I will drop a few words on the provider after I have more experience with them... so far great but it's been 24 hours.)

Hi!
The only thing virtuozzo is not a complete Windows environment. You can't run Windows update nor can you use that script installer Microsoft now provides for free on it.

Hyper-V is the best..really.

Bryon

Hi!
The only thing virtuozzo is not a complete Windows environment. You can't run Windows update nor can you use that script installer Microsoft now provides for free on it.

Hyper-V is the best..really.

Bryon

This really depends on your budget. Dedicated cluster is best but sometimes the project doesn't warrant the spend.