Possibly the best small business server solution is also the best kept secret. And it looks like it’s going to get even better. I’ve been using Windows Home Server for a few months now and offer it to some of our small business clients as the perfect solution.
This is because most small businesses don’t need Small Business Server.
(Some competitors may think otherwise – if you call many IT support providers and tell them you have a small business, their little cash register eyes pop up and they’re dusting off their SBS packages before you can say “But I don’t need…”)
Small Business Server (SBS) is a very powerful solution but for most people it’s overkill. You have to be *big* to really want to run your own Exchange server, especially now that most users want their email mobile, not stuck in the office.
Most small businesses need reliable file sharing, PC backup and an easy life, which is what Windows Home Server (WHS) offers. If they really need Exchange then, 9 times out of 10, keeping their Exchange hosted up in the cloud is far more sensible.
WHS provides some great backup capabilities, easy file sharing and ease-of-use, but it only supports up to 10 users.
Step up “Aurora”.
Aurora is the codename for Microsoft’s new business version of WHS. It has all the great features of WHS but bumps this up with Domain accounts (which make managing users easier) and up to 25 users. It will also make adding on cloud options such as Exchange easier.
Interesting times ahead.
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A Microsoft Certified Professional with many years of large corporate experience and training, he now focuses on helping small businesses make the most of their IT.
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