Install profiles and monitored support make Drupal good for everyone - not just experts

Some technical minded Drupal users are fine and happy installing Drupal themselves. They know how to choose the modules and themes needed to make their project happen. Indeed, these savvy users have little need for support, monitoring, patching and consulting.

However, as Drupal's user base gets bigger, and larger clients like enterprises and universities sign-on to the open source revolution, the need for a technical support "safety-net" (in the form of someone keeping a technical eye to make sure everything is up to date and humming along) becomes more apparent.

At Raincity Studios, we know this need well. This demand is why we market the Bryght hosting product which includes a pre-selected and supported set of modules configured ready-to-go, out-of-the-chute.

We also know variety is a good thing. 'Tis better to allow customers to choose the service which best fits their needs than tell them "one size fits all."

With this in mind, Raincity Studios recently announced a platinum partnership with Acquia. Founded by new Ph. D and Drupal ringleader Dreis Buytaert and business-veteran Jay Batson (and a crew of Drupalatti), Acquia provide a commercially-supported distribution of Drupal as well as a subscription-based support network.

This model means that companies and organizations can confidentially use Acquia Drupal install to run their dynamic web presence and enjoy support and network services like uptime monitoring, update notifications, patches and Mollom spam blocking.

Much like the Bryght Basic install, Acquia Drupal is licensed via GPL and includes Drupal core and a suite of popular modules.  With this new offering, Raincity Studios customers will be able to choose between hosting packages for Bryght Light, Bryght VPS and Bryght Acquia.

The customers choosing the Acquia package can then sign-up for Acquia network's support network and enjoy the advanced monitoring and proactive support services that come with it.

The network doesn't end there as customers and partners are encouraged to cross-pollinate and exchange business opportunities to find the best fit for customers' needs.

And of course, the ace Raincity Studios design team will also create sites for customers built on the Acquia profile and hosted on the Hostmaster/Ægir-powerd Bryght platform.

In the meantime, we'll get out the wrenches and bolt the Acquia options into the Bryght order form and server environment until it's as tasty as Robert Douglass' layered coffee (note: don't think it's a macchiato ... is it a cordatto?) which he uses to describe a day working for Acquia.

With Acquia and Raincity Studios aligned philosophically, the future of install profiles and supported hosting looks very positive for clients with diverse needs and lofty ambitions.

Photos: 

Drupalcon Boston Acquia party by Cody Hanson

Tasty espresso by Robert Douglass