Microsoft reveals SMB software pricing, previews

Microsoft on Tuesday revealed pricing details for a new server software bundle
aimed at midsize companies and the next version of its Small Business Server
product.

Microsoft also made available preview
versions of those products -- Windows Essential Business Server 2008 and
Windows Small Business Server 2008 -- for download and evaluation.

Both products have been undergoing private testing. Tuesday's previews allow
Microsoft to receive feedback from a larger audience before releasing the products,
which it expects to do by the end of the year, the company said.

Microsoft is offering a standard version of Windows Essential Business Server
2008, including five client access licenses (CALs), for US$5,472; additional
CALs will cost $81 each. CALs are required for each desktop user accessing server
software products from Microsoft. A premium edition of Essential Business Server
2008 will be available for $7,163, a price that also includes five CALs. Additional
CALs for the premium edition will cost $195 each.

Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard Edition, with five CALs, will cost
$1,089, Microsoft said. Additional CALs for the software are available for $77
each. A premium edition of the product, including five CALs, will cost $1,899;
additional CALs are $189 each for that product.

Pricing for Small Business Server has gone up from the current version of Small
Business Server 2003 R2, which is $599 with five client access licenses for
the standard edition and $1,299 with five CALs for the premium edition. Microsoft
said the pricing has gone up because the latest version of the product includes
more technology and services than the previous version of the product.

Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008, formally code-named "Cougar,"
and Windows Essential Business Server 2008, formerly code-named "Centro,"
are part of Microsoft's new Windows Essential Server Solutions line. The products
in the Essential line combine Microsoft's Windows Server OS with other software
products the company deems necessary to running a business, to provide what
it describes as an all-in-one, easy-to-install software stack for companies
that may only have a small IT support staff.

Essential Business Server includes three copies of Windows Server 2008 running
on three hardware servers. The first server is a domain controller and management
server that includes the Windows Essential Business Unified Management Console.

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