Today is the start of the Server 2008 PR ramp up.  I can today tell you a bit more about Cougar, as was, or SBS 2008 as it will be, the new "family" that SBS is part of and a bit more on Windows Essential Business Server 2008 (aka Centro).  Hopefully there will be a couple of surprises and also confirmation of some of the rumours around there.  I've sliced the press release made today into 3 sections.  This blog entry is based on the "family" section of which there is an extract below of some key points.  The whole press release can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/feb08/02-20EBFamilyPR.mspx.

To help small and midsize organizations improve business efficiency, increase productivity and drive growth, Microsoft Corp. introduced the Windows Essential Server Solutions family of products, built on Windows Server 2008 and the newest Microsoft server technologies and services. The company also unveiled details about the newly named Windows Small Business Server 2008.

The Windows Essential Server Solutions family includes Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server 2008 for midsize companies. Microsoft conducted extensive research and gathered in-depth feedback worldwide to design the solutions, in order to meet the unique needs of small and midsize customers and partners. The products integrate the technologies of Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, and other Microsoft products and services into all-in-one solutions that are reliable, easy to manage and able to grow with customers.

“There are 31.9 million small businesses and 1.2 million midsize companies worldwide in need of powerful IT solutions,^* and they typically have very small IT staffs, or none at all,” said Bob Kelly, corporate vice president at Microsoft. “Windows Essential Server Solutions make the benefits of enterprise-class IT accessible, affordable and simpler for smaller organizations and their technology advisors.”

Windows Small Business Server 2008 Multiplies Business Growth

see blog entry here

Windows Essential Business Server 2008 for Midsize Companies

see blog entry here

Microsoft Partners Rally Around the Windows Essential Server Solutions Family

The Windows Essential Server Solutions products present technology consultants, hardware makers and software vendors with tremendous opportunity to better serve small and midsize companies, and to grow their own businesses.

For solution providers and systems integrators, Windows Essential Server Solutions provide a consistent, reliable platform tailored to fast-growing small and midsize clients, helping them deliver more strategic systems and applications, and build deeper customer relationships.

Hardware makers including Dell Inc., Fujitsu Siemens Computers, HP and IBM Corp. plan to deliver solutions built on Windows Small Business Server 2008. Fujitsu Siemens, HP, IBM and Intel Corporation plan to deliver products running Windows Essential Business Server 2008.

Windows Essential Business Server 2008 is a platform for third-party business applications that can be managed within its administration console. Software partners such as Citrix Systems Inc., Computer Associates International Inc., FullArmor, Mimosa Systems Inc., Quest Software Inc., ScriptLogic Corp., Symantec Corp. and Trend Micro Inc. plan to provide Add-In software solutions for Windows Essential Business Server to enhance the product’s benefits. HP, IBM and Intel plan to make hardware management Add-Ins for Windows Essential Business Server 2008. Microsoft will provide Windows Essential Business Server Add-Ins for its applications as well, such as Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server.

More information about Windows Essential Server Solutions is available at http://www.microsoft.com/essential and http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/serversolutions.

* Source: AMI Partners Inc.

So what are we really saying here.  Well, SBS was a great success, so great that we need to step things up a level.  The family now looks like this:

There are probably three things to notice:

1. SBS now comes in a one and two server size (more on this here)
2. SBS still has the built in limits of 75 users, but is designed for 5-50
3. Essential Business Server is our three to four server product and is designed for 25-250 users

The family overlaps, depending on the needs of the business.  This means that there are design and implementation similarities in the family, but each member has it's unique points too.

Expect to see 3rd party solutions form others around these products, which now address an even larger marketplace.  I foresee Symantic on backup and Citrix on their Access Essentials products to make a real impact here.

In the short term I have a direct route to the people who are in the know about this, so ask the questions and I will post the answers as I get them.

 

My advice is to read the web sites linked in the press release and let me know your questions.  You will also find information on the official SBS blog

 

ttfn

David

---

Posted Wed, Feb 20 2008 12:48 PM by David Overton