Microsoft targets SMEs with new server

Microsoft has unveiled the official name for its new integrated suite of server software products for small-to-midsized enterprises (SMEs) and home users, previously codenamed "Centro".

Windows Essential Business Server, as it will be known, will be officially launched as a public beta and demonstrated at Microsoft's European TechEd developers' forum, being held in Barcelona next week.

But the software giant took the opportunity this week to talk up the server's key components and features, as well as name an initial set of industry partners that will be support the new offering.

The product is based on Windows Server 2008 (formerly known as 'Longhorn'), which is the company's next major server operating system update due for release next year.

Aimed at businesses using around 250 PCs, the new server bundle integrates the technologies of Windows Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007, Forefront Security for Exchange, System Centre Essentials, the next version of ISA Server and SQL Server 2008 into an "all-in-one" offering.

Steven VanRoekel, director of the Windows Server Solutions group at Microsoft said Windows Essential Business Server was aimed at increasing the manageability and reliability of SME IT systems, while helping them boost businesses productivity and growth.

"With Windows Essential Business Server, IT professionals will find the acquisition, setup and ongoing management of IT vastly simplified," he said.

He said the server has been developed to provide a unified console for management of key IT workloads and is pre-configured with a number built-in best practices.

Microsoft also said it will be licensed, as a Standard and Premium Edition, in a way that makes IT budgeting and purchase simpler and more predictable, by providing a single Client Access Licence for all the bundled products.

He also said Microsoft has built-in a new licence administration console, so IT managers can track licence use and re-assign licences when staff leave or join.

Hardware partners announced at the same time include Fujitsu-Siemens, HP, IBM and Intel. And software partners like CA, Citrix, FullArmor, McAfee, Quest, Symantec and Trend Micro plan to provide 'add-in' services and products to enhance the new servers benefits, said VanRoekel.

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