Search results matching tags 'System Center Essentials', 'Windows Server 2008', 'x64', and 'Marketing'

Small Business Server 2008 (formally known as Cougar) announcement

doverton — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:59:00 GMT

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 SBS 2008 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.

Windows Small Business Server 2008 Multiplies Business Growth
Windows Small Business Server 2008,previously known by the code name “Cougar,” is ideal for organizations with up to 50 PCs, helping them protect business data, expand business productivity and present a professional image to customers. The new version adds a range of features and capabilities to the current, award-winning Small Business Server 2003 R2 product, and is also an example of Microsoft’s “software plus services” vision.
For small-business owners and employees, Small Business Server 2008 provides increased security and protection with one-year trial subscriptions to Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server Small Business Edition and the new Windows Live OneCare for Server, and with dramatically simplified server and PC backup technologies. Small Business Server 2008 also integrates with Microsoft Office Live Small Business to simplify setup and management of professional Web sites and private online work spaces. Enhancements to Remote Web Workplace, integration of Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, and support for the latest Windows Mobile devices will help employees work remotely and collaborate effectively.
For IT managers and technology consultants, Small Business Server 2008 deployment, setup and administration is greatly simplified and improved. A powerful administration console, new monitoring across servers and client PCs, Windows Server Update Services, and customizable reports — accessible from virtually anywhere — make management easier and more effective. Exchange Server 2007 delivers additional built-in protection, virtually anywhere access and management efficiencies. And Windows Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition provides an ideal platform for critical business applications, because SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 technologies now run on a second hardware server.
Windows Small Business Server 2008 will be demonstrated on Dell systems at the Microsoft “Heroes Happen Here” launch event on Feb. 27 in Los Angeles, and is slated for availability in the second half of 2008.
<snipped>
More information about Windows Essential Server Solutions is available at http://www.microsoft.com/essential and http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/serversolutions.

So lets recap. Information on the family that SBS is now part of can be found in the post entitled "Windows Essential Server Solutions family of products" announcement. So lets recap what this all means:

SBS 2008 ships on a x64 Server.
There are still two editions - Standard and Premium, with Premium offering an additional Windows Server 2008 standard system and SQL Server 2008.
It is designed (as SBS 2003 was) for 5-50 users although it can go to 75 users. If the customer solution needs 3-4 servers then use Windows Essential Business Server 2008.
It has the following components as standard
- Windows Server 2008 x64
- Exchange 2007
- Windows SharePoint Services 3.0
- Windows Live OneCare for Server
- Subscription to Forefront Security for Exchange Server Small Business Edition
- Integration with Office Live Small Business
- Enhancements to mobile and remote working tools and management
Premium has the following additional components
- 2nd Windows Server 2008
- SQL Server 2008
Areas of focus have been:
- Small Business Server 2008 deployment, setup and administration has been changed to the console shown in WHS and Essentials
- The ability to monitor across servers and client PCs
- Manage system updates using Windows Server Update Services
- New customisable reports
- The benefits of Exchange Server 2007 including
  - additional built-in protection
  - virtually anywhere access
  - management efficiencies

That is it for now, but as always, post questions and I will attempt to get them answered. For more information on the Essentials server announcements, look here.

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

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Windows Essential Server Family, Cougar, SBS 2008, Windows Small Business Server 2008, Essentials Business Server, Essential Server Family, Windows Essentials Business Server 2008

Windows Essential Business Server announcement

doverton — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:59:00 GMT

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 Essential Business Server 2008 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.

<snipped>

Windows Essential Business Server 2008 for Midsize Companies

Windows Essential Business Server 2008 is designed for the needs of midsize organizations with up to 250 desktops, helping IT professionals take control of their systems, reduce time spent “fighting fires” and focus more on strategic efforts to drive business growth. The solution includes built-in IT best practices and provides a unified console for management of key workloads and product licensing, which makes IT budgeting and purchase simpler and more predictable.
Windows Essential Business Server combines the technologies of Windows Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007, Forefront Security for Exchange Server, System Center Essentials 2007, the next version of Internet Security and Acceleration Server and, in the Premium Edition, SQL Server 2008 technology. The product will be demonstrated on IBM BladeCenter S and HP BladeSystem c-Class c3000 hardware at the “Heroes Happen Here” launch on Feb. 27 in Los Angeles, and is slated for availability in the second half of 2008.
<snipped>
More information about Windows Essential Server Solutions is available at http://www.microsoft.com/essential and http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/serversolutions.

Now much of this is a repeat of what we already know, but I felt I should share it:

Based on x64 technology
Capable from 25-250 users, so does overlap with SBS 2008. Depending on the customer needs either SBS or Essentials should be used (SBS information here)
There are still two editions - Standard and Premium, with Premium offering an additional Windows Server 2008 standard system and SQL Server 2008.
It has the following components as standard

Windows Server 2008 x64
Exchange 2007
Windows SharePoint Services 3.0
System Center Essentials
Forefront Security for Exchange Server

Enhancements to mobile and remote working tools and management
Premium has the following additional components
- 2nd Windows Server 2008
- SQL Server 2008

My advice is to read the web sites linked in the press release and let me know your questions. There is already information published on this product, so you should get more than you need quite easily.

ttfn

David

"Windows Essential Server Solutions family of products" announcement

doverton — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:48:00 GMT

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:

SBS now comes in a one and two server size (more on this here)
SBS still has the built in limits of 75 users, but is designed for 5-50
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