Microsoft Releases Small Business Server Details

By Greg McNevin

February 22, 2008: Microsoft has released some details of its upcoming small to medium-sized business orientated operating system, with plug-and-play simplicity the order of the day.

Previously codenamed “Cougar”, Microsoft Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 is part of its upcoming Essential Server Solutions family and follows the announcement and naming of its Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) late last year.

Built around the soon-to-ship Windows Server 2008, Microsoft is pitching SBS as a plug-and-play solution for SMBs with 50 employees, but can actually support as many as 75.

It will provide new simplified server and PC backup capabilities, along with upgrades to Remote Web Workplace and integration with Windows SharePoint Services 3.0. Microsoft says SBS will also include Exchange Server 2007.

“There are 31.9 million small businesses and 1.2 million mid-size companies worldwide in need of powerful IT solutions, and they typically have very small IT staffs, or none at all,” says Bob Kelly, corporate vice president at Microsoft.

“Windows Essential Server Solutions make the benefits of enterprise-class IT accessible, affordable and simpler for smaller organisations.”

Both Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server are scheduled for shipment during the second half of the year.

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