Introducing Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard

The key thing to understand about Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard, as opposed to Windows Server 2008 R2, is that it’s designed to include everything a growing business needs. In particular, it bundles in Exchange Server 2010 and SharePoint Foundation Services 2010, giving a huge amount of power at one stroke.

Unlike SBS 2011 Essentials, SBS 2011 Standard isn’t designed with novice admins in mind: you will need a certain amount of technical know-how to get the most out of it. However, it still provides a simplified setup sequence with detailed guidance to aid configuration.

The setup procedure begins with a list of common configuration tasks, and provides links to the step-by-step wizards needed to complete them. It's quite feasible to create Active Directory and Exchange accounts without ever needing to wrestle with the more complex management tools used in straight editions of Windows Server 2008 R2, and it's possible to handle most day-to-day management tasks, including backup, through the central console.

On the subject of backup, while SBS 2011 Standard doesn't have Essentials' facilities to back up individual desktop PCs, it does include automatic tools for backing up the server, and for restoring drives, files and folders should disaster strike.

Meanwhile, easy-to-use management and reporting tools help you check and control anti-malware and security software across both the server and connected clients. Meanwhile, it's easy to deploy Windows and software updates to connected PCs using Windows Server Update Services.

Advanced features

SBS 2011 Standard can also boast all the advantages of Exchange Server 2010, with an improved management console, new archiving options and better tools to detect and repair broken mailboxes. Best of all, it supports the Outlook Web Application, ensuring users can access their mail and their schedule from any PC or laptop with a browser, using an interface that's not a million miles away from the familiar desktop Outlook interface.

Meanwhile, with SharePoint 2010 Foundation, it's easy to share documents and business data through a single intranet site, providing efficient tools for your workers to share information and manage ongoing team projects.

What's more, with SharePoint 2010 Foundation running on your server it's possible for two or more employees to collaborate on an Office document at the same time, either using the desktop Office applications or Microsoft's own Office Web App equivalents.

Provided they have access to a PC and a browser, there's always an opportunity to make a last minute edit or comment on a report in draft stage. Small Business Server 2011 comes with all the tools you need to monitor and maintain your SharePoint sites built-in.

Remote access

One thing Small Business Server 2011 Standard shares with the Essentials edition is its excellent remote web access features. Wherever employees are, and whatever computer they're using, they can access SharePoint sites and server-based files and folders using nothing more than a browser, with all the security of SSL encryption.

They can even run server or PC-based applications. Small Business Server 2011 makes this easy, not just in terms of configuring user access, but in terms of setting up the portal and controlling access to individual and company-wide folders. Plus, there's no software to install or configure at the client end.

Small Business Server 2011 is still built on the same technology as Windows Server 2008 R2, It gives you all the power and control of Active Directory, and it's more flexible and scalable than Small Business Server 2011 Essentials. It can support up to 75 users, and can run all the business applications you would normally run on top of Windows Server 2008 R2.

What's more, with the Windows Server Premium 2011 add-on, you get an efficient, cost-effective way to run data-intensive business applications on a foundation of Windows Server 2008 R2 and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2, either on a second physical server or on a virtual machine.

Making your choice

No server solution is the ideal fit for everyone. Companies with a smaller workforce or more in-house IT expertise may be able to save money by opting for a cheaper edition of Windows Server 2008 R2 – particularly if the company is moving to cloud-based email and collaboration services, such as Microsoft's own Office 365.

If Small Business Server 2011 Essentials is all about making that first server more accessible, then SBS 2011 Standard is all about reducing the burden of administration while still giving businesses the tools they need to develop long-term.

As a result, it's a great choice for your second server or a company that has outgrown its existing hardware and software. As an all-in-one solution that gives your business the power and the room to grow, Small Business Server 2011 makes business sense.

For details on Dell products that include Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard, call one of Dell’s experts on 0844 444 3832.