Published By: PRNewsWire.com
Written By: Microsoft
Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server 2008 deliver all-in-one solutions to help fuel growth for customers and partners.
REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — To help small and midsize organizations improve business efficiency, increase productivity and drive growth, Microsoft Corp. introduced the Windows Essential Server Solutions family of products, built on Windows Server 2008 and the newest Microsoft server technologies and services. The company also unveiled details about the newly named Windows Small Business Server 2008.
The Windows Essential Server Solutions family includes Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server 2008 for midsize companies. Microsoft conducted extensive research and gathered in-depth feedback worldwide to design the solutions, in order to meet the unique needs of small and midsize customers and partners. The products integrate the technologies of Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, and other Microsoft products and services into all-in-one solutions that are reliable, easy to manage and able to grow with customers.
"There are 31.9 million small businesses and 1.2 million midsize companies worldwide in need of powerful IT solutions,* and they typically have very small IT staffs, or none at all," said Bob Kelly, corporate vice president at Microsoft. "Windows Essential Server Solutions make the benefits of enterprise-class IT accessible, affordable and simpler for smaller organizations and their technology advisors."
Windows Small Business Server 2008 Multiplies Business Growth
Windows Small Business Server 2008, previously known by the code name "Cougar," is ideal for organizations with up to 50 PCs, helping them protect business data, expand business productivity and present a professional image to customers. The new version adds a range of features and capabilities to the current, award-winning Small Business Server 2003 R2 product and, through integration with online services from Microsoft, is also an example of the company's software plus services strategy.
For small-business owners and employees, Small Business Server 2008 provides increased security and protection with dramatically simplified server and PC backup technologies, and one-year trial subscriptions to Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server Small Business Edition and the new Windows Live OneCare for Server. Small Business Server 2008 also integrates with Microsoft Office Live Small Business to simplify setup and management of professional Web sites and private online work spaces. Enhancements to Remote Web Workplace, integration of Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, and support for the latest Windows Mobile devices will help employees work remotely and collaborate effectively.
For IT managers and technology consultants, Small Business Server 2008 deployment, setup and administration is greatly simplified and improved. A powerful administration console, new monitoring across servers and client PCs, Windows Server Update Services, and customizable reports — accessible from virtually anywhere — make management easier and more effective. Exchange Server 2007 delivers additional built-in protection, virtually anywhere access and management efficiencies. And Windows Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition provides an ideal platform for critical business applications, because SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 technologies now run on a second hardware server.
Windows Small Business Server 2008 will be demonstrated on Dell systems at the Microsoft "Heroes Happen Here" launch event on Feb. 27 in Los Angeles, and is slated for availability in the second half of 2008.
Windows Essential Business Server 2008 for Midsize Companies
Windows Essential Business Server 2008 is designed for the needs of midsize organizations with up to 250 desktops, helping IT professionals take control of their systems, reduce time spent "fighting fires" and focus more on strategic efforts to drive business growth. The solution includes built-in IT best practices and provides a unified console for management of key workloads and product licensing, which makes IT budgeting and purchase simpler and more predictable.
Windows Essential Business Server combines the technologies of Windows Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007, Forefront Security for Exchange Server, System Center Essentials 2007, the next version of Internet Security and Acceleration Server and, in the Premium Edition, SQL Server 2008 technology. The product will be demonstrated on IBM BladeCenter S and HP BladeSystem c-Class c3000 hardware at the "Heroes Happen Here" launch on Feb. 27 in Los Angeles, and is slated for availability in the second half of 2008.
Microsoft Partners Rally Around the Windows Essential Server Solutions Family
The Windows Essential Server Solutions products present technology consultants, hardware makers and software vendors with tremendous opportunity to better serve small and midsize companies, and to grow their own businesses.
For solution providers and systems integrators, Windows Essential Server Solutions provide a consistent, reliable platform tailored to fast-growing small and midsize clients, helping them deliver more strategic systems and applications, and build deeper customer relationships.
Hardware makers including Dell Inc., Fujitsu Siemens Computers, HP and IBM Corp. plan to deliver solutions built on Windows Small Business Server 2008. Fujitsu Siemens, HP, IBM and Intel Corporation plan to deliver products running Windows Essential Business Server 2008.
Windows Essential Business Server 2008 is a platform for third-party business applications that can be managed within its administration console. Software partners such as Citrix Systems Inc., CA, FullArmor, Mimosa Systems Inc., Quest Software Inc., ScriptLogic Corp., Symantec Corp. and Trend Micro Inc. plan to provide Add-In software solutions for Windows Essential Business Server to enhance the product's benefits. HP, IBM and Intel plan to make hardware management Add-Ins for Windows Essential Business Server 2008. Microsoft will provide Windows Essential Business Server Add-Ins for its applications as well, such as Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server.