Hi folks,
I manage a couple of small businesses each with between 20 and 30 clients connected to a single server running SBS2003 Premium. The hardware for one is new and capable of running the latest Windows Server 64-bit. Both companies use a single high-powered
(ish) box for Active Directory, Exchange, SQL, ISA, File & print services and even the older box (5 years old at least) manages this without the least bit of stress. The both need SQL for a proprietary sofwtare package (one legal, the other accounting).
I am rather perplexed that Microsoft seem to think this requirement is a thing of the past and there is no upgrade path for users who really only need and can only afford one server box and yet need all the products SBS2003 used to contain. The cloud
is NOT an option for everyone - especially if you are in a rural part of the country where 1.5Mb broadband is a hoped for dream let alone 20Mb fibre! It's not cost effective to purchase two servers and two Windows server licences plus CALs
and then full copies of Exchange 2010 and SQL and CALs, plus if you want ISA functionality for internet connection management and remote access you need a third server box to run ForeFront TMG!!! The cost of this would be 6x the cost of SBS2003 on a
single server box for absolutely NO additional benefit to the business!!
It appears MS no longer want a slice of the Small Business pie.
So my question is to you all.... what are you recommending your clients/businesses do when SBS2003 and SBS2008 need replacing? Linux Exchange Server alternatives? Hosted Exchange with Micorosoft or a 3rd party? Then you need to buy Outlook
client software and that puts the costs up AGAIN. Anyone got any answers or thoughts? Anyone else feeling like Microsoft have lost the plot completely with the SBS issue and the nightmare that is Windows 8?
Looking forward to your thoughts.
Phil
Phil Tyler