The Benefits of a Small Business Server

What is a small business server?

A Small business server is any computer running the Windows Small Business Server 2003 operating system. This is almost always installed on dedicated hardware, designed specifically for the task, but could in theory be installed on any desktop PC. Small Business Server has been designed by Microsoft to cater specifically to the needs of the SME and comes with a diverse range of applications offering a wide array of functionality. If your looking for your first server or perhaps looking to expand your network capability then perhaps this is the server for you!

Benefits of a small business server

Small Business Server comes in two versions, standard and premium, which offer the following features:

Features

Standard

Premium
Networked File Sharing - Allowing you to create shared directories that you can access from multiple computers – even from home or a remote laptop.

X

X
Networked printer sharing - Enables you to share printers between multiple PCs. The server handles any print queues so you no longer need to leave desktop PCs turned on in order to print. X X
Granular access control - Hierarchical security enabling you to restrict access to files or directories to certain users or groups.

X

X
Shared Internet access - SBS enables you to share an internet connection securely between multiple PCs. Unlike using a router, SBS allows monitoring and security so you can track usage.

X

X
Web based remote access system - allowing you to access your company network from anywhere in the world using nothing but an internet enabled computer and a standard web browser.

X

X
VPN based remote access system - enabling secure access to the entire network from a remote location.

X

X
Smartphone Remote Access - Access your files, e-mails and contacts using a smartphone from anywhere with a mobile signal X X
Exchange 2003 - Exchange e-mail system enables you to benefit from fully featured company e-mail. Give each of your staff an e-mail address (user@yourcompany.com) without having to ask your ISP to make a new mailbox – everything is handled by the server. Remote web access enables you to check your mail from anywhere in the world using a standard web browser.

X

X
Electronic fax delivery - allowing you to send and receive faxes from multiple PCs using a single phone line. Sending faxes is as easy as printing a document.

X

X
Internal Website (Intranet) - SharePoint 2003 enables you to create a company portal for sharing information and collaborating. Create document libraries, shared message boards, meeting room booking systems, holiday planners, shared diaries and a multitude of other time saving pages.

X

X
Microsoft Pedigree -Centralised management, security and backup using a proven and reliable platform.

X

X
SQL database Server

 

X
ISA – Advanced Software Firewall

 

X

 

As you can see the only difference between the standard and premium versions of the operating system are the SQL server and ISA Firewall. We always recommend using an external business class firewall anyway so we only recommend the premium version when SQL is required.

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 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 ratio 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.