February 20, 2008, 2:21 PM — Microsoft on Wednesday
revealed details of the next version of its Windows OS for small businesses and
formally introduced a new product line aimed at small and mid-size businesses.
Microsoft Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008, formally code-named "Cougar,"
is one of two software bundles in Microsoft's new Windows Essential Server Solutions
line; it also includes Windows Essential Business Server 2008, formerly code-named
"Centro" and aimed at mid-sized companies. Both products are based
on the same code as Windows Server 2008, the next version of Microsoft's enterprise
server OS.
The products in the Essential line bundle a server OS with other software products
that Microsoft deems necessary to running a business -- such as Microsoft's
messaging software, Exchange Server and security products -- to provide what
Microsoft describes as an all-in-one, easy-to-install software stack for companies
that may only have a small IT support staff.
SBS 2008 is aimed at companies with up to 50 PCs and includes one-year trial
subscriptions to Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server Small Business
Edition and Windows Live OneCare for Server.
The software also provides integration with Microsoft's Web-based service,
Microsoft Office Live Small Business, to help companies set up and manage Web
sites and Web-based collaboration workspaces for employees. Support for Windows
Mobile devices, so employees can access business information and e-mail remotely,
also is bundled in.
According to Microsoft, it designed SBS 2008 for simplified deployment, set-up
and administration from one management console that administrators can access
remotely. The software also comes in a premium edition for companies that need
more heavy lifting from their business software.
SBS 2008 will be demonstrated on hardware from Dell at Microsoft's Feb. 27
event in Los Angeles, in which Microsoft will highlight a triptych of releases
-- Windows Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008. Both SBS 2008
and Windows Essential Business Server 2008 are scheduled to be available in
the second half of 2008.
Windows Essential Business Server 2008, which Microsoft has previously discussed,
also is intended to make it simpler for businesses with limited IT management
resources to install and control critical software tools. The product is aimed
at businesses with 25 to 250 PCs and is currently in beta.
Like SBS 2008, Windows Essential Business Server 2008 also has a single management
console for administrators. However, unlike SBS 2008, third parties can integrate
their products into the console so they can be managed from it as well. In fact,
Microsoft has already said that Symantec, Citrix, CA, Trend Micro, FullArmor,
McAfee and Quest are among the companies that will integrate products with the
software.
"Based on our conversations with customers and partners, we felt the mid-market
IT is a much different customer than a small-business owner, so we wanted to
respect that in the way we designed the management UI for each product,"
said Steven VanRoekel, senior director in the server and tools division at Microsoft.
More information about SBS
2008 and Windows
Essential Business Server 2008 can be found on Microsoft's Web site.
