One of our biggest complaints with Windows--that is further exacerbated with Small Business Server 2003--is the amount of auto-loaded "stuff." Microsoft auto-loads many services unbeknownst to the user. These services open potential security holes that require a steady stream of security updates. Microsoft tries to mitigate these security risks with its Windows Update feature, but computing purists still prefer to enable the services they want and disable those they don't.
Still, Microsoft has created a nice bundled solution for small-business owners. The tight integration makes the entire package accessible to the user without any trouble. Its remote-access feature creates opportunities for resellers to develop value-added services, including management contracts and Web-application development. Given the economic climate during the past two years, smart companies have realized that increasing the stickiness of their customers is just as valuable as finding new customers. Microsoft Small Business Server enables savvy resellers to create monthly ongoing service contracts to provide key technology solutions to their customers.
Small Business Server 2003 supports up to a maximum of 75 client computers. Licensing is based on either a per-user or a per-device scheme. The five-user Small Business Server 2003 Standard Edition's retail price is $599. The Premium Edition starts at $1,499. Additional user licenses cost roughly $100 each and are sold in five and 20-user packs.
Eric J. Bowden is CTO at KeyLabs. He specializes in software testing.
This article appears courtesy of VARBusiness
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