Microsoft is axing its Small Business Server (SBS) products claiming that its replacement, MS Windows Server 2012, “offers lower upfront acquisition and deployment costs”.
Microsoft has been accused of forcing partners and end users towards the Cloud. End users will then either have to subscribe to Office 365 or a hosted Exchange Server.
Microsoft Essentials is designed to serve customers up to 25 users and 50 devices. After that you will have to scale up to the cost of Windows Server 2012 standard and additional Exchange Costs.
In my opinion this is just another way to secure recurring revenues direct to Microsoft!
So, if you are a small business and do not want to be forced to use the Cloud and subscribe to Microsoft’s recurring revenues, you had better get your skates on and purchase MS SBS 2011 or 2012 this year.
MS SBS 2003 is already not supported
MS SBS 2008 is end of life 2013
MS SBS 2011 is end of life 2015
Just drop me an email and I will do comparative costing on both products for you. june@yousystems.co.uk