Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003

A powerful and feature-rich server package for small businesses

Excerpts from the Small Business Server Section of www.microsoft.com 

Introduction

Small business owners are searching for simpler, less expensive ways to run their businesses and to increase their return on information technology (IT) investment. They rarely have dedicated on-site IT professionals or administrators to run their networks; however, they may use technology providers to acquire IT solutions. These technology providers need to find more cost-effective ways to provide support to their customers.

With features like file sharing, printing, e-mail, faxing, Internet access, and the ability to run line-of-business applications, the Microsoft Windows® Small Business Server 2003 provides a complete business server solution. The integrated suite of server products enables companies to share information and resources safely and securely. End-to-end administration features help technology providers set up, run, and maintain their networks productively and efficiently.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 is available in two editions: standard and premium. The standard edition contains technologies from Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 and Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. The premium edition contains technologies from Windows Server 2003, Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000, and Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server (ISA Server).

• Windows Small Business Server 2003 supports up to 75 client computers.

Features at a Glance

The following summary indicated the features of the two editions of Windows Small Business Server 2003.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (Standard and Premium Edition)

• Secure, reliable operating system 
• File, print, and application sharing
• The power of Active Directory® directory service and its tools Microsoft Windows SharePoint™ Services (Standard and Premium Edition)
• Team communication and collaboration environment Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 (Standard and Premium Edition)
• Internet e-mail and messaging solution
• Microsoft Outlook® Web Access, to access e-mail through the Web
• Shared calendaring

Microsoft Shared Fax Service (Standard and Premium Edition)

• Fax with fewer telephone lines
• Fax from users'' desktops
• Users can set hours for faxing
• Receive faxes through SharePoint, e-mail, or printer 

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Microsoft ISA Server (Premium Edition only)

• Secure, shared Internet access
• Routing and network address translation (NAT) services with firewall service

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 (Premium Edition only)

• Powerful, secure relational database for running business applications.

Microsoft Office FrontPage® 2003 (Premium Edition only)

• Develop sophisticated Web sites
• Create customized solutions for Windows SharePoint Services

10 Reasons to Use Windows Small Business Server 2003

1. Create a central and secure place to store critical business data

• Access to data and applications is centralized, improving employee productivity by ensuring all your employees can get the information they need from their computers.
• Software restriction policies help prevent unapproved installations and help protect against viruses and other attacks.

2. Guard against data loss

• Volume shadow copy service enables point-in-time backups and helps your backup procedures run quickly and with minimal errors.
• The Backup Configuration Wizard guides you through the creation and implementation of a successful data backup strategy.

3. Ensure network security, thoroughly and easily

• Wizards simplify security settings and help ensure all the necessary security steps are taken while setting up your network.
• Windows Small Business Server 2003 is built on Windows Server 2003, the operating system that has increased available services by 275 percent while mitigating attacks against the server by 60 percent.
• Windows Small Business Server 2003 includes an internal firewall and also supports external firewalls.

4. Keep your business up and running

• Improved monitoring tools and usage reports keep you apprised of network status.
• Windows Small Business Server 2003 is built on Windows Server 2003, the most reliable network operating system Microsoft has ever delivered.

5. Access information from anywhere, anytime and any device

• Remote Web Workplace, the new remote portal, allows authorized users to access remote access features by using the Internet.
• Windows Small Business Server 2003 is built on Windows Server 2003, the most reliable network operating system Microsoft has ever delivered.
• Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition, includes Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000. Businesses running the premium edition can now establish an interactive Web presence with an unlimited number of visitors and can run as many business applications as they need. Note: Access to Web applications based on Small Business Server 2000/SQL Server 2000 was limited to 50 concurrent sessions. This limitation has been removed with Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition.

6. Improve team performance through enhanced collaboration

• A pre-configured internal Web Site based on Microsoft Windows SharePoint™ Services allows coworkers to share information, including document libraries, announcements, events, and links.
• Enhanced Microsoft Outlook® Web Access (OWA) enables users to access an Internet version of Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 from the Internet to share files and schedules.

7. Increase sales and reduce costs by analyzing and managing your business with line-of-business applications

• Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition, includes SQL Server 2000. As the foundation for storing and analyzing business information, SQL Server 2000 is compatible with more small-business applications than any other data management platform. Working with a broad array of Microsoft partners, small-business owners have more flexibility in selecting business applications to improve operations, reduce costs, and connect with customers. With SQL Server 2000, small-business customers can run several business applications in a simple and cost-effective information technology (IT) environment.

8. Reach more customers and serve them better, all day, every day

• You can host your own e-mail, create a company Web presence, and access business information remotely. These benefits enable you to conduct business in a professional manner and assure customers that you are the right choice for their business.

9. Get up and running quickly & easily

• Windows Small Business Server 2003 is preloaded on the most popular OEM platforms, meaning you can just plug it in and begin to play in just 15 minutes!
• Online License Activation means you no longer have to deal with floppy disks for client setup.
• Windows Small Business Server 2003 is a member of the Windows Server 2003 family, meaning the interface will look familiar and will work like the interface in Microsoft Windows.

10. Get a platform that is easy to grow with today and tomorrow

• The Client Setup Wizard enables you to migrate profile settings (including desktop settings and data) from a peer-to-peer network (based on the Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating systems) without disruptions to users.
• Because Windows Small Business Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, work well together, you can add Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, to your network as a dedicated line-of-business server or as a server dedicated to running Windows Terminal Server in application-sharing mode.