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Microsoft Products Designed for Small Business
April 11, 2006: PlanetMagpie Small Business IT Consulting
Written by: Chris Williams

Upcoming Microsoft releases mean more networking power and easier-to-use interfaces

Though you might think of it as being much more interested in fellow megalith companies, Microsoft has a soft spot for small business. The software giant is poised to release updates and new versions of more than a dozen applications geared toward helping small businesses in the next year.

New user interfaces. Automated patch management. Responding to emails by phone. Microsoft’s updates add up to much less time spent working ON your IT, and many more ways to USE it. This article will cover three products updated/redesigned in 2006 and 2007, and what those updates mean for small business.

Windows Small Business Server 2003, R2

Developed for organizations with 75 or fewer PCs (ideally under 50), Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2003 consolidates several server platforms into one. Its upcoming Release 2 promises even more efficiency than the original, by promoting use of wizards and automatic patch/update management.

SBS 2003 Standard edition has file/print sharing, Internet access, fax services, and email via Exchange Server. The Premium edition adds SQL Server, and the Internet Security and Acceleration server firewall. Both editions use a wizard-heavy approach for more automation, and less time spent configuring servers and doing updates.

Release 2 (R2), due out in second quarter 2006, improves on that model with automated patch & update management. All products on its network that are supported by Microsoft Update receive downloaded updates immediately, without the administrator needing to oversee the job. R2 adds more flexibility to its supplied client access licenses (CALs), and increases the Exchange mailbox size limit to 75GB each.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 helps lower TCO for Microsoft-based networks. But here’s the best part: from now until 60 days after R2 ships, if you buy SBS 2003, the upgrade to R2 is included free. Free upgrade to a freshly-remodeled, efficiency-minded server platform? Easy decision.

Exchange 12

Even if you’re happy with the server you have, there’s another consideration: email. In the past, Microsoft Exchange Server has been the definitive solution for managing email users for small and mid-size businesses. Its next version, Exchange 12, rolls out two powerful improvements in how you communicate with workers and where.

The biggest value in Exchange 12 is Exchange Unified Messaging. It combines email, fax, and voicemail into 1 inbox. Since most small businesses use all of those communication methods, wouldn’t it be easier to handle them through one interface? It lowers resource use, and saves on short- and long-term operations costs.

Getting all of your communications in one place is great for time-saving. But what if you’re not in the office and can’t get to your inbox? Microsoft has solved that problem as well, with Outlook OVA.

Exchange already has OWA, Outlook Web Access. Microsoft’s even upgraded it to make it simpler to work with. Exchange 12 also introduces OVA, Outlook Voice Access. OVA takes the access-anywhere-anytime theme one step further – any cellphone, Pocket PC or SmartPhone using WAP 2.x or later can access their new universal inbox anywhere they can connect.

Have your email read to you, and reply, while stuck in traffic. Check your calendar and move appointments at the coffee shop. Building on Unified Messaging, Microsoft gives small businesses an extremely flexible solution to remote connectivity issues and information management.

Exchange 12 will ship in early 2007.

Office 2007 (“Office 12”)

Office 2007, formerly referred to as “Office 12,” has undergone an extensive redesign. Microsoft listened to its users and made several big changes designed with their ease of use in mind.

How we get around in Office has always defined how good that Office version is.

In Office 2007’s case, how we get around has been totally redone. Menus have been replaced by tabs, which graphically display commands in a dedicated area. Some tabs are designed to appear only when needed by document objects, such as charts. This way, it’s much easier to find and use only the options you want.

Microsoft also implemented two new tools for making work easier within its applications. First, Galleries provide a whole new way of implementing document layouts. Each Gallery provides a set of results to choose from with a one-click menu. Find a design you like fast. Then customize it however you’d like.

Second, Outlook 2007 Small Business Edition comes with the new Business Contacts Manager, integrated into Outlook. Share customer information with your network. Take it with you on a Windows Mobile PC. Add in the upcoming Exchange 12, and your handheld becomes a truly mobile office.

The Office 2007 Small Business Edition contains Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook with the new Business Contacts Manager. (Pro adds Access.) It will begin shipping at the end of 2006. The OEM edition will ship January 2007. You can register for updates to know when the beta releases will be coming out here: Office 2007 Updates.

If you’re already a Microsoft customer, you’re in for a pleasant surprise if you decide to upgrade later this year. Software Assurance customers can look forward to the earliest availability. If you were considering a new server or email provider, you’re in the right time frame for experiencing the best of new Microsoft solutions.

PlanetMagpie provides all levels of technical services for small, mid-market, and enterprise businesses including IT consulting, network support, web design, web development, and web hosting services for San Jose, Bay Area, California and nationwide.

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