Common Questions and Answers

Q. I already have a peer-to-peer network. Why do I need Small Business Server?

A. Many growing businesses find that the limits of peer-to-peer networking inhibit thier business growth. Issue and features such as performance, security, group email, and shared calendars and scheduling are all better handled by a client/server model. In addition, Small Business Server offers many other features that are not available or not standard in peer-to-peer networks.

Q. Why would I hire you to install and maintain my Small Business Server network, rather than say, my brother-in-law (who knows a lot about computers)?

A. While Small Business Server is a complex suite of applications, it is specifically designed to simplify and streamline the use of technology in your business. The proper installation and setup of SBS is a critical step in ensuring you get the best value for your investment.

*Specific* Small Business Server configuration and support experience is a requrement.

I am proud to have received MVP status from Microsoft. There are less than 50 Small Business Server MVP’s worldwide, and presently only a handful in Canada. As an MVP, I have the luxury of direct support channels and other resources that are not available to everyone.

My small business management/ownership experience spans the entire history of personal computers, and I’ve been ‘computerized’ from the start. I know small business, and more importantly, I know what small business needs from a technology investment.

I have over a decade of experience installing, configuring, and maintaining Microsoft Small Business Server versions 4.5, 2000, and 2003, 2008 and 2011 in small business environments just like yours, in the local area. I’d be pleased to provide references.

Q. What business challenges does Small Business Server help me with?

A. Small businesses need to access, update, share, and store ever-increasing amounts of information. You get the capabilities of a security-enhanced small-business network with storage, printing, collaboration, e-mail, Internet connectivity, support for mobile workers, and faxing.

Here are some specific examples of how Small Business Server empowers your business:

Designed and priced for small businesses, Windows Small Business Server 2011 is an affordable, all-in-one server solution to help your business run more efficiently. It provides core functionality for:

• Networking
• Security
• Advanced e-mail and calendar capabilities
• Database and line-of-business support
• Document and printer sharing
• Remote Access

Windows Small Business Server offers you a server solution with reduced complexity and increased manageability over traditional enterprise servers, helping you to focus on running a more efficient business. There are 3 versions - SBS Essentials, SBS Standard, and SBS Premium - to provide a solution tailored to specific business requirements.

Simplify Small Business IT

Simplified Purchase and Setup. Identify, purchase, install, and manage multiple components and technologies together in an interoperable single-server experience.

Simplified Management. Reduce administration costs by using an intuitive management interface, one that presents relevant system information and a matching set of tasks.

Increase Business Productivity

Remote Web Access. Remote Web Access provides a single, simple, consolidated, and highly secure entry point into a small business network. Access files and documents from inside and outside the business through any common web browser.

Desktop Synergies with Windows 7 and Office 2010. By combining Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010 with Windows Small Business Server 2011, you will have the IT foundation you need to be more efficient and effective, to easily collaborate with your peers, to work remotely, and to feel confident that all your critical business data is protected.

Mobile Device Support. Integrated setup features configure collaboration services so that you can easily add Windows Phone or other Internet-enabled phones.

Run Business Applications. Supports critical line-of-business applications and runs them on a secure award winning platform.

Tailored to Online Services (SBS Essentials). Provides a cross-premise solution, allowing small businesses to retain core infrastructure and enables simple, single sign-on experiences with cloud-based services.

Help Protect Business Data

Simplified Backup for Business Data. Businesses can easily backup server and client data to external and/or internal hard drives.

Network-wide Protection. Complete, network-wide security with integrated state of the art protection technologies.

Client Protection. Monitors client computers for antivirus status, update compliance, and overall security health.

Full Client Backup (SBS Essentials). Performs a daily, automatic, backup of every computer on a network and the server itself.

Greater Business Insight

Information Organization. Streamline document access and control information sharing using a centralized data repository that can be accessed from any computer on the network.

Enhanced Support and experience for Line-of-Business With Premium Add On Applications. Run a vast number of line-of-business applications on a second server, and enjoy a powerful data management and analysis

Q. This looks great, but I wonder if I can afford it.

A. We did mention Small Business prices, and we mean it. Small Business Server versions range in price from $600 to $2,000 - extremely affordable - and the benefits are immediate. Installation, configuration, and hardware costs are dependent on your specific environment and scenario. We can predetermine the total cost very early in the process, and without obligation.

Q. Where can I get more information on Small Business Server?

A. Other than by asking me, you mean? How about the Microsoft Small Business Server web site.