Server Bundle for Midsize Businesses Detailed

Windows Essential Business Server, a new integrated multiserver bundle for midsize businesses, is currently in private beta, with the final release planned for the second half of 2008. The bundle supports file and print sharing, e-mail, network security, infrastructure management, and database services and will be available as a software product or preinstalled on servers. Partners have the opportunity to create add-ins for additional services. Although Microsoft will make installation and configuration easier, the real test will be how well a unified console allows administrators to manage ongoing operations, and how Microsoft prices and licenses the released version.

Windows Essential Business Components

Microsoft has designed Essential Business Server for organizations with their own IT staff and between 25 and 250 client computers, a step up from its Small Business Server product, which targets businesses with up to 75 clients.

Essential Business Server will be based on Windows Server 2008, and the Standard Edition will include Exchange Server 2007, Forefront Security for Exchange, System Center Essentials 2007, and the next version of Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server (currently ISA 2006).