Should you Upgrade to Microsoft Small Business Server 2008?
Early November 2008 Microsoft launched their much anticipated follow up to the hugely successful Small Business Server 2003. Known affectionatly as SBS 2008 the latest installment, designed and priced especially for small businesses, has been release to positive reviews. But should you upgrade? The answer is (yes, you guessed it) it depends on your requirements. In brief, before we get on to using Microsoft's buzz words for the new release like enhanced security, collaboration etc., SBS 2003 is a great product. If your business is churning along just fine and there is no pressing requirement to upgrade, we recommend sticking to SBS 2003. Upgrading can be costly, and if your business will not secure significant benefits (besides the buzz words and a slicker graphical interface) then there is quite simply no point. On the other hand, if yours is a medium-to-large sized business with multiple office locations, there are significant benefits to upgrading. We can provide sensible advice on this issue, so if you are unsure just give us a call to discuss.
It may be that whatever SMB you are managing needs similar functions and support that large enterprises need, but on a smaller scale. From a network management viewpoint, that's essentially what you get with SBS 2008. Key components of the package are the enterprise level Windows Server 2008 and Exchange Server 2007. You have the choice between two editions of SBS 2008, Standard and Premium. Both provide comprehensive a comprehensive network at an affordable price, and will boost your security, mobility and control. If you don't already have a business server, SBS 2008 will centralise your data, allowing for easier storage and sharing of information.
Top 10 reasons to upgrade to SBS 2008 according to HP business advantage:
1. Newest releases of all the SBS 2008 technology components,
designed together for an optimal experience for small businesses.
2. Vastly improved support for line-of-business applications for your
favourite CRM (Customer Relationship Marketing), Accounting or
manufacturing database software, and designed to sit on a second
server (SBS 2008 Premium).
3. Updated, easier to use management console now organised by
business tasks.
4. Streamlined set up and deployment to reduce the cost of deploying
and maintaining your network.
5. Updated anti-spam protection for improved security.
6. New disaster recovery capabilities with PC and server backup and
recovery.
7. Redesigned monitoring and reporting features for PC and server and
even anti-virus status.
8. Streamlined interface for remote access capabilities to easily access
email, contacts, calendar, desktop resources and now even SharePoint
files from one easy-to-use location.
9. Improved internal company Web site capabilities for better list
management plus wikis and blogs.
10. Integration with new Office Live Small Business for everything you need
to take, promote, and manage a business on the Internet.
One reason we recommend SBS 2008 to our customers is that from an experts' perspective, it is easier to manage, resulting in reduced IT support costs. In addition to this, Exchange Server 2007 is provided to centralise and better manage email, that often taken for granted but critical business tool.
|
Benefit
|
Product Technologies
|
Std
|
Prem
|
|
Strong IT Foundation:
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 product technologies provide the core foundation of Windows Small Business Server 2008. Windows Server 2008 is the most flexible and robust Windows server operating system to date. For more information, visit the Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Web site.
|
Windows Server 2008 Standard Technologies
|
Y
|
Y
|
|
Messaging and Collaboration:
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 product technologies introduce advanced e-mail and calendar functionality to Windows Small Business Server 2008. Exchange Server 2007 delivers a seamless end-user collaboration experience and unparalleled security features. For more information, visit the Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Web site.
|
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Standard Edition
|
Y
|
Y
|
|
Collaboration and Productivity:
Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 is a versatile technology that organizations and business units of all sizes can use to increase the efficiency of business processes and improve team productivity. Share internal documents, coordinate calendars, manage issues, and participate in discussions while you're on the road. Windows SharePoint Services gives people access to information they need. For more product-specific information, visit the Windows SharePoint Services Web site.
|
Windows SharePoint Services 3.0
|
Y
|
Y
|
|
E-Mail Security:
Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server1 (Forefront) helps protect e-mail from viruses, worms, and spam. Forefront incorporates multiple antivirus engines for layered protection against the latest e-mail-based threats. For more information, visit the Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server Web site.
|
Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server1
|
Y
|
Y
|
|
Network Updates and Protection:
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) enables deployment of the latest Microsoft product updates to computers running the Windows operating system. It offers automatic system checks for new software updates and makes it easier for you or your IT consultant to monitor and distribute updates. For more information, visit the Windows Server Update Services Web site.
|
Windows Server Update Services 3.0
|
Y
|
Y
|
|
Take Business Online:
SBS 2008 integrates with Office Live Small Business2 to provide everything needed to take, promote, and manage a business on the Internet. Customers can create a professional Web presence without the hassle or expense of setting up a complicated infrastructure or hiring technical staff to maintain it. Office Live Small Business is a hosted service for customers with an Internet connection. For more information, visit the Office Live Small Business Web site.
|
Microsoft Office Live Small Business2
|
Y
|
Y
|
|
Database:
Based on best practices, Premium includes software to run on a second server that is dedicated to supporting a vast number of line-of-business applications.4
A comprehensive data management and analysis solution that makes it possible to use many server-based business applications, such as accounting, business planning, and contact management software, which share a centralized database so that all employees can work from the same information. For more product-specific information, visit the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition Web site.
|
* Windows Server 2008 Standard
* Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard for Small Business 3
|
|
Y
|
The result is an operating system (packaged also with mail and collaboration services) that should make much more functionality available to enhance your business. That said upgrading can be costly, and ought to be a calculated business decision based on the benefits of doing so. To determine which option is right for you, it's likely you'll need to talk with an expert. If you'd like to have a free, no obligation discussion with one of our certified engineers to determine whether upgrading to Microsoft Small Business Server 2008 is right for you, please contact us or call on 1300 783 899.
|
Solutions 
