Thread: Windows small business server

Windows Small Business Server 2008 is a new, entry-level business server designed for companies consisting of no more than 75 employees and no on¬site IT staff. The server's wizard-heavy system asks plain-language questions about your needs and adjusts configurations based on your answers.

Think of Small Business Server as a preconfigured Windows Server installation. It includes nearly all of the same features, but you manage everything from a single console instead of installing packages. I found its installation process easier than Ubuntu's, but you still need some basic networking know how to make everything come together.

Like other Microsoft products, Small Business Server comes in a confusing multitude of editions. The Standard Edition should amply cover most small¬business needs, and it includes Exchange Server for calendars and e-mail. If you manage your own e-mail and Web services, however, I recommend growing into hosting them; without IT staff, I'd much rather pay another company for hosting. That said, Small Business Server connects to registrars to help you along if you have the dedicated bandwidth and the IT expertise.



The Premium Edition includes a second Windows Server linse for installation on another PC or virtual machine, plus Microsoft SQL Server. An SQL server can help run network-based apps and may be useful for developing and testing websites and other connected services. But again, your Web host likely provides SQL services, too.

Small Business Server follows the per-license pricing structure of other for-pay server ass. The base packages include five licenses to be divided per user or per Pc. Additional per-user licenses for Standard Edition and Premium Edition. The costs cover licenses for all of the server products included in the respective editions. Be sure to factor these costs.

All businesses that are web based can take advantage of the features of project management. Whether it's bake shop, bank, landscaping, or construction, the software will help all team leaders. The software is also customizable to fit any business. With the tools that are available team leaders will be able to input what they want and what they don't want.