Small business server overview

Small Business Server 2008 comes in two versions, standard and premium. Both packages contain the core SBS components with premium also containing a license for a second server and a license to run SQL 2008.

Which package you go for depends on your specific business requirements as many businesses will benefit from the addition of a second server license. With Microsoft virtualization technology (Hyper-V) this doesn't even require a second physical server as both servers can be virtualized on one box. If in doubt, call for a free consultancy meeting to discuss your individual business needs.

Communication & Collaboration

• Small Business Server 2008 ships with a number of world class communication and collaboration tools including Exchange 2007 e-mail server.
• With SBS 2008, businesses can take advantage of centralised e-mail, shared calendars and contacts lists, an internal businesses website and a variety of other features to make day-to-day business more effective.
• SBS 2008 brings you closer to your customers and suppliers and breaks down barriers to communication in your organisation.

Manage your business data like never before

• SBS2008 comes with file and print management functionality to safely and securely work with business data across your organisation.
• SharePoint 2007 makes setting up a company intranet (internal website) a breeze. It's easy to create online notice boards, calendars, team websites and more.
• Documents can be shared with individuals and groups and as all data is stored centrally it is protected by hierarchical security and backup systems.

Remote access

• Users can access their business desktop from any internet connected PC the world over. E-mail, files and business applications are available at the click of a button and users can even take these with them on their mobile phones.
• Take advantage of wireless syncronisation of e-mail, contacts, calendars and more through Microsoft Direct Push technology (across the mobile network). No need for additional servers - all changes are syncronised within seconds wherever you are in the world with a mobile signal.

Centralised Management of IT resources

• SBS 2008 and Windows 7 make managing your IT resources easier than ever.
• Centraly control access to resources such as files, printers and the internet.
• Gain control over computer updates to ensure your network is protected and secure at all times.
• Work confidently with a top performing network based on Windows Server 2008 technologies.

Do I even need a server?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Many small businesses will never get to the stage where a server is an absolute necessity and some of the benefits of a small business server can be achieved through other means. For instance file sharing can be implemented through some form of networked storage device and e-mail can be facilitated through POP3 e-mail via an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Whilst multiple ad-hoc solutions such as these can perform some of the functions of a small business server we believe that in most cases a server can perform those functions more securely, more efficiently and at a lower overall cost whilst also providing additional functionality that would be otherwise unavailable.

Integration and Functionality

A Windows Small Business Server comes with a wide array of built in functionality including a suite of remote access tools, a fully functional web server, an e-mail server, secure and reliable file and print sharing, a fully featured intranet solution and electronic fax delivery. Whilst many of these features could be achieved through alternative means this would involve using a number of separate technologies from a number of different manufacturers. With a server these features are all available on a single, integrated platform meaning it’s invariably cheaper to operate, more intuitive to learn and easier to maintain.

Even when SBS doesn’t have the required functionality as standard, the flexible nature of a server means that it’s usually just a case of buying the required software off the shelf. Windows is supported by a global network of software developers and applications can easily and quickly be installed on your server to address almost every business need.

Security

One of the main benefits of using a server over other ad-hoc solutions is that of security. With a server the company’s e-mail, files and other important information are all stored in one place. Having data stored in a central location enables efficient backup and security solutions to be implemented which protect your data from both internal and external threats.

In a distributed system without a server, users tend to store their documents on the C: drive of their individual computers. Implementing and enforcing a backup policy in these situations can be difficult if not impossible because each person is responsible for their own data. With a server based infrastructure files can be stored on the servers shared drives meaning a backup strategy only has to deal with one computer. A server can be set to automatically backup files each night with limited user intervention meaning your data is always protected in the event of a disaster.

Using a small business server, data can easily be stored using hierarchical security meaning staff have access only to those documents or folders they need to perform their job function. In a very small business this may not be a big concern but as a company grows and begins to take on more people this can quickly become a major issue. It’s a sobering fact to realise that 80% of data loss is caused by people within the company; although not always maliciously. Protecting your data from internal threats as well as external threats is therefore paramount.

Lastly, having your important data in one place means that security solutions can be focused in a way that would be impossible with a number of poorly integrated ad-hoc solutions. Data is monitored and protected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Total Cost of Ownership

Cost of implementation is usually seen as the biggest hurdle when implementing a small business server and yet using ad-hoc solutions can often be a false economy. If we compare the price / functionality of a small business server against using a number of separate solutions the overall cost is usually pretty similar. When we then factor in the cost of maintaining the system over a number of years, poorly integrated ad-hoc systems suddenly become a significant financial burden.

Windows Small Business Server is a proven, secure and reliable technology with a large global support base. Whether you choose to use an in-house IT specialist or outsource your IT support to a third-party like Geek-Guru, you can be sure that the skills will always exist to support your investment both now and in the future.

Ease of growth

The last reason we would cite for using a server over other technologies is the ease with which company growth can be accommodated. A single small business server can accommodate up to 75 users meaning your investment will see you through many years of growth without major changes to your infrastructure becoming necessary. Users can be added or removed from the system with ease and centralised management and security mean growth can be managed both efficiently and securely.