Microsoft unleashes previews of Windows Small Business Server 2011
By siliconindia
New York: Microsoft unleashes a preview of the next version of its integrated package for small organizations, Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2011. The latest version will streamline remote employee access and deployment procedures.
SBS is advanced version of the core Microsoft products in the package. It is a cluster of integrated Microsoft enterprise software combined to ease IT operations for small organizations. It includes applications to manage workers email, calendars and file sharing. For the administrator, it includes the ability to manage security, Windows updates and access to the Internet. It also includes a database and the ability to host business applications.
Windows Server 2008 releases SBS and Microsoft claims to have simplified the process of installation with this release. The package offers guidance on how to set up the server, as well as validation tools to assure the successful relocation of data and settings from the previous edition. Users can now set up their own PCs networks without administrators help.
SBS provides the advantage of accessing emails or using personalized website from a distant place as well using Outlook Web Access. Two editions of SBS 2011 will be available, a "Standard" edition, which can be licensed up to 75 users, and an "Essentials" edition, which can be used by up to 25 employees.
The Standard edition includes the latest version of Microsoft Exchange Server for internal email management featuring the Microsoft SharePoint Foundation Services 2010, which is the latest version of that collaboration package, while the Essentials version is integrated with a Microsoft hosted email service. The Standard edition can back up business data on the server, while the Essentials version can back up data from user PCs.
Microsoft Small Business Server 2011 preview is available for download but information on the full release has not been revealed yet.