Comments on: Which Windows Server Is Best for Your Small Business?

By: The VAR Guy

The VAR Guy — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:08:42 +0000

VL: Thanks for reviving an old discussion. The VAR Guy rather enjoyed the reader debate about Microsoft’s server software offerings. And certainly, much has changed since Stuart wrote the piece above in April 2009.

Microsoft killed (er, discontinued) Windows Essential Business Server. And the company has introduced upgrades to Small Business Server that include cloud integration…

During the recent Intermedia Partner Summit in New York, most MSPs attending the conference said they are seeing most companies shift SBS legacy deployments to hosted Exchange and hosted SharePoint. The one exception was SBS running SQL Server, which seems to have a loyal following in New York…

-TVG

By: VL

VL — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 02:12:56 +0000

Although this article is a bit dated now, I found it a useful summary as one looking to move to a server solution for our tiny technologically centric engineering firm.
Issues:
Tired of wasting time playing IT dept for too many PCs.
Redundant software requirements.
Way too much time spent backing up.
Tired of ISP limitations on email.
Will never trust the cloud will client data even if I never had to sign a confidentiality contract. Convenience is a thief’s favorite exploit.

I like designing things. I never wanted to be an IT tech. But I waste as much time diagnosing & maintaining networks & systems as I do supporting my clients. Sometimes more.
I’m looking to a server solution to streamline the operation by reducing redundancies, centralizing admin, automating backups, decide for myself when an attachment is too big & most importantly, enhancing security. I got into business to work at my craft using computer power, not working on computers. I’m quite certain my issues are shared by many.

Thank you Stuart. I’m less confused about the options now.
Thank you too VAR Guy. You strike me as voice of reason on a web fraught with single minded opinion. One size does not fit all. You seem to get that and you’re nice about it.

By: Microsoft Kills Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) |

Microsoft Kills Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) | — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:41:34 +0000

[...] funeral here. Rather than flaming Microsoft, The VAR Guy applauds the move: Microsoft had too many Windows Server software variants. Partners and customers can’t keep up with all the options. In this case less is more. [...]

By: The VAR Guy

The VAR Guy — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:23:29 +0000

Lawrence: The VAR Guy was always wary of Microsoft in the “home server” game. Many consumers were tired of big, bloated, buggy Windows PCs. Would they open their wallets wider for a Windows home server? The VAR Guy doubts it…

The VAR Guy thinks Windows 7′s arrival will restore some faith in Microsoft. But that won’t fix the Windows Home Server issue. Most consumers don’t even know what a home server is… at least not yet.
-TVG

By: Lawrence D'Oliveiro

Lawrence D'Oliveiro — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:19:38 +0000

Microsoft seems to be moving away from its original “home” focus for “Home Server”:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=4479

But why? I smell a failure to meet a sales target…

By: The VAR Guy

The VAR Guy — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:35:13 +0000

SOS: But do you plan to try Windows Server 2008? Why or why not?

By: sos

sos — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:10:30 +0000

i`ve been using windows server 2003 since year 2004, and in my 6 years working with 2003 server sistem i can say that it`s stable and easy to configure. The only downside is that after many updates it requiers a system reboot.

By: Steve

Steve — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:41:18 +0000

David: Unless you have another solution we are looking for file sharing, remote connectivity, and centralized backup. A server seems to fill these needs.

By: David Barrack

David Barrack — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:39:07 +0000

Yes, you hit it on the head. This small business is using web based billing services and is fine using mail services from their ISP, GoDaddy. So what’s left? Basically just the need for good desktops/laptops that can network easily. So it’s looking like MacBooks may be used throughout given the very easy networking and other sharing capabilities of OS X.

By: The VAR Guy

The VAR Guy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:23:51 +0000

David: The VAR Guy thinks this is a case-by-case decision for small businesses. Lots of start-up companies are simply leveraging SaaS applications. But key vertical market applications, and compliance-related applications, may remain on-premise for years to come…

By: David Barrack

David Barrack — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:13:09 +0000

I am looking into the computer needs of a new small business. At this point I honestly don’t see the need for a “server” anymore. I must be missing something. For internet connectivity wi-fi through a router will be fine, and with the size and power of desktops or even laptops what purpose is the server providing? It’s not disk space. It’s not networking. What am I missing?

By: Angela

Angela — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:10:23 +0000

It would have been nice to mention the other Server OS’s available as they are not intuitively named. For instance, according to Microsoft’s website, Server 2008 has Foundation, Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Web Server, and Itanium.

The article could have briefly mentioned some of the other varieties and that they are more for large businesses – so SMB owners don’t get confused with the long list of MS offerings.

Otherwise, an excellent overview of what features are available from Microsoft. I am bookmarking this article!