14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is moving forward with a line-up of server offerings tailored to small businesses, allowing such customers to access enterprise-grade solutions through Windows Small Business Server 2011.
Partners and customers have already been able to try out various flavors of Windows Small Business Server 2011 through the Beta testing programs set up by the Redmond company.
It appears that early adopters downloaded the Beta builds of Windows Small Business Server Code name “Aurora” and Windows Small Business Server “7” in excess of 9,000 times.
On November 2nd, 2010, the software giant announced the official labels for the products mentioned above, shared pricing and licensing details, and also delivered estimated availability deadlines.
At this point in time, the next generation of the Small Business Server family currently continues to be in the public preview stage of the development process.
Windows Small Business Server Code Name “Aurora” will be offered to customers as Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials.
It “is ideal as a first server for small businesses with up to 25 users, providing a cost-effective and easy-to-use solution to help protect data, organize and access business information from virtually anywhere, support the applications needed to run a business, and quickly connect to online services such as Office 365, hosted e-mail, collaboration and CRM. SBS 2011 Essentials can be used by up to 25 users and requires no CALs for user access,” Microsoft explained.
When it will hit the market, Windows Small Business Server “7” will be labeled Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard, offering a solution designed to tend to no more than 75 users.
“Licensing for SBS 2011 Standard follows the previous versions of Windows SBS 2008 Standard, which required both a Server License, plus CALs for each user.
“Estimated retail pricing for SBS 2011 Standard is $1,096US, with CALs approximately $72US. SBS 2011 Standard will be available through all current Microsoft server licensing channels and is expected to release in December 2010. Further availability through OEM’s and System Builders is expected starting February 2011,” the company said.
Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard will offer a range of capabilities, including automatic backup, but also additional features, such as: e-mail, Internet connectivity, internal Web sites, remote access, and file and printer sharing.
In addition, Microsoft is also ready to provide small businesses with support for SQL Server based LOB applications and even access to Window Server 2008 R2 technologies.
This will be done through the Windows Small Business Server 2011 Premium Add-on, essentially an additional server, as the Redmond company put it.
“The SBS 2011 Premium Add-on includes Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard, and SQL Server 2008 R2 for Small Business and can be added to both Small Business Server 2011 both Essentials and Standard editions,” Microsoft said.
“While access to the Windows Server components for the SBS 2011 Premium Add-on will be covered by the SBS 2011 CAL model, users will still require Premium Add-on CALs for access to SQL Server. Estimated retail pricing for SBS 2011 Premium Add-on is $1,604US, with CALs approximately $92US. SBS 2011 Premium Add-on will also be available with the release of SBS 2011 Standard in December.”