Small Business Server

Microsoft's Small Business Server (SBS) may be the best kept secret in software for small businesses. It consists of a "bundle" of Microsoft's most popular server products, with special additions for the small-business market. And it is offered at a steep discount to their regular prices. Microsoft is willing to do this because they limit it to 75 concurrent users--rarely a problem for small businesses.

SBS offers a collection of useful tools for businesses with as few as 3-5 PCs including features like:

  • Host your own email... freeing you from file-size limits imposed by other mail services. And an unlimited number e-mailboxes.
  • Workflow applications - For example, easily create applications that automatically collect information in forms and then route them for approval. Get notified automatically when new work arrives, etc.
  • Workgroup collaboration - For example, share a customer list among all your employees. Or share a "client booking" calendar, with custom rules for who in the office can create, view, modify or delete these appointments. Customize the forms used to collect this information but view it all from within the familiar Outlook interface.
  • Access your email anywhere - Using only a simple web browser, you'll be able to pick up your email, look up phone numbers/addresses/etc., check your schedule, etc. And you can do this from any "Internet latte bar" in the world!
  • Computerized outbound faxing - rather than printing a document, walking to the fax machine, realizing you forgot the fax number, walking back to your computer to look it up, then back to the fax to send it... simply "print" the document directly as a fax, with the fax number available via a pick list.
  • Receive faxes in your email - You can even receive your faxes through SBS. If you do, they can print out (but who needs that paper??) or be sent to you via email. Combine this with your ability to read email anywhere
(see above) and you can finally pick up faxes without being in the office.
  • Reduce computer administration costs - as the number of PCs in your office grows, particularly over 10, the overhead costs of sharing printers/files/etc. means many offices simply don't do it--or worse use no security so everyone can "get in"! SBS provides a single-source for all computer accounts within your company, making it possible to "roam" between computers, centrally manage accounts (e.g., cut off access should someone leave) and reduce the costs of the security work you should be doing.
  • Share an Internet connection safely - With the declining cost of DSL/cable modem service, many small businesses now have a full time (broadband) connection to the Internet. But due to the high cost and complexity they typically don't have a "real" firewall (using instead one of the lower cost but also less secure "NAT firewall appliances"). Unfortunately these "made for the home office" devices aren't appropriate for professional offices dealing with HIPAA regulations and fiduciary responsibilities to their client's privacy.
  • Access your office systems remotely - With SBS's advanced firewall, not only do you get better protection from "bad guys" you get better connectivity for you. Many of our clients have a home PC that is configured to let them securely access their office PCs. The time saving for a professional often pays for the SBS software.
  • Host sophisticated databases - SBS even includes the SQL Server database program--the system that currently holds virtually every performance record... and absolutely every price/performance record for databases. With SBS, you'll have a special version of this system appropriate for small business accounting, billing and other applications. Many of our clients find they can save licensing costs with other software (and impress their vendors) because they already have a SQL Server license.


    • For more details about the SBS product, please see the Microsoft site; but for help deciding if it can be cost justified in your environment, please feel free to contact us for a no obligation assessment.