Microsoft updates small business server software

SEATTLE: Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday released a new package of software to
run small business networks. Microsoft's Small Business Server 2000 targets
businesses with fewer than 50 personal computers, and is based around its
flagship Windows 2000 operating system, group product manager Katy Hunter said
in an interview.

The package also includes the Exchange Server for office communications, its
SQL

server database, an Internet security manager and software for publishing Web
pages, Hunter said.

"It's a really comprehensive solution. We know that small business
customers will be using our enterprise-class products on a small scale, so with
that we offer products at an exceptional discount," Hunter said.

The package could be bought for as little as $1,499 for businesses with five
or less PCs, Hunter said. That compares to a $999 price tag for a stand-alone
version of Windows 2000 Server, Hunter said.

The release is the latest step by Microsoft to woo small businesses. Hunter
said that, worldwide, there was 56 million businesses with 100 or fewer
employees. "The small business segment is a huge growth segment. Not only
is it big in absolute terms, but with the Internet changing the way everyone
works, we're seeing really rapid adoption of high-end technology in small
business

customers," Hunter said.

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