New Microsoft servers for SMBs

NEW DELHI, INDIA: As part of its efforts to enable the small and medium businesses through an increased investment in the SMB space Microsoft India Pvt.Ltd. has announced the availability of Windows Small Business Server 2008 (SBS 2008) and Windows Essential Business Server 2008 (EBS 2008).

This is an updated integration of infrastructure server technologies for small business and EBS 2008 is Microsoft's first-ever offering tailored to midsized businesses. Windows Essential Server Solutions (WESS) are "all-in-one" enterprise server solutions designed and priced for the SMB customers by taking the benefits of enterprise-class IT and making it accessible, affordable and less complex. It also comes as a significant business opportunity to the 6000 strong , active partner ecosystem.

Windows Essential Server Solutions provide small and midsize businesses with integrated IT infrastructure that will help save time, money, and significantly increase productivity. Windows Essential Server products are the simplest way for small and midsize businesses to get the power of Windows Server 2008 and Microsoft's award winning products and services for email, collaboration, PC and Server management, and security.

Announcing the availability of WESS2008 in India Rajeev Mittal, Group Director, Small and Medium Enterprise, Microsoft India stated, "SMBs are always constrained on time and resources and are looking at technology that can simplify their business operations, but they want something that is easy to deploy and manage. In Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008, Microsoft brings together the key Server technologies into a single comprehensive and affordable solution for small and midsize businesses, that will help them sustain and grow ".

While large enterprises typically have specialist staff with the technical knowledge, budgets and time needed to manage IT environments, is an unaffordable luxury for small and midsize businesses. SBS and EBS are a direct products of customer feedback and they are meant to help reduce the setup and ongoing management of IT, while enabling new scenarios to enhance end-user productivity, as well as saving companies money on license costs.

Reiterating the key benefits of SBS 2008 and EBS 2008 Pallavi Kathuria, Director – Server Business Group iterates , "Customers today are always on the go. They need to be able to access their business information when they are out of the office or at home. Also they need to have all this information in one place so that it is easy for the right people to access and be kept up-to-date. SBS 2008 and EBS 2008 provide technologies used by larger companies, such as Windows Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 , management and security to address these customer needs."

"Today customers need all of their business assets to work together seamlessly and efficiently. Windows Essential Business Server 2008 addresses this by consolidating all underlying services, such as messaging, database, remote access, and mobile services and automates their management under one console.", states Suresh Ramani, CEO of TechGyan and a Microsoft partner. He further added that, "Managing all this was very time consuming, and the consequent problems led to a loss in productivity. EBS will help increase efficiency and save money". 

While Sunny Anto Chirakekaren, Managing Director of Chirakekaren Glass House (P) Ltd states, " Microsoft has clearly heard the pain points of small businesses and SBS 2008 is an affordable solution which has allowed me to effortlessly bring together my staff across disparate segments with remote access."

Designed for companies with up to 75 users or PCs, SBS 2008 is an integrated server solution created to help businesses keep their data more secure and make their company more productive. SBS provides many of the technologies used by larger companies, such as Windows Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and other Microsoft products. EBS 2008 is designed for businesses with up to 300 users or PCs, and allows IT managers to have more control over their environment by reducing complexity and automating common tasks. With support for Windows Mobile phones, SBS 2008 and EBS 2008 can significantly help boost productivity with access to business e-mail, calendar, contacts and files when away from the office.