Though the change in focus may have come about as a result of the economic downturn rather than a sudden change of heart, it represents a great opportunity for SMBs with the likes of HP and Microsoft offering more support than ever before to the sector and offering very attractive deals to entice them.
There is an obvious attraction to the Enterprise space with its huge IT spend and regular system refresh, however, it has been the hardest bitten by the recession and has been the first to slash IT budgets and put projects on hold. As a result manufacturers have been forced to look further down to the grass roots of business, which represents a great opportunity for new and growing companies.
Often confused by the bewildering array of products on offer or intimidated by the complexity (or seemingly so) of network solutions, the majority of the 37 million small and medium business worldwide still operate without a server. This is bad news for firms as, without a server-client network, productivity can be severely hampered, security is compromised and there is often no reliable means of backing data up.
The good news, however, is with the spotlight falling on SMBs along with it comes a new range of products focused specifically at the sector. These are not just watered down versions of the higher end enterprise solutions and are designed for ease of management and aimed at even the tightest budgets.
Microsoft have been more proactive than anyone else in recognising the opportunity in getting small businesses to adopt its technologies early on and have released 2 products aimed specifically at businesses with 25 users and less market.
There is no longer any rational to continue to run businesses from a peer to peer network of PCs, with a range of affordable, secure and efficient server network products designed specifically for small firms
Firstly they released Windows Server 2008 Foundation, an operating system based on its tried and tested Windows Server 2008 platform that forms the backbone of many larger businesses across the world. This supports a maximum of 15 users, allowing companies to centrally and securely share files, give users access to network printers as well as supporting access for staff working remotely. In addition a backup device can easily be added at a relatively low price meaning their data is safe and secure even in the event of a theft, flood or fire.
The main attraction of Foundation server, however, is the fact that it costs a third less than Windows Small Business Server, which was Microsoft's only previous offering to the SMB space. The only true difference is that Foundation Server doesn't come with the Exchange (e-mail) application but for smaller companies using hosted or web mail it offers improved productivity and is designed to run on optimised server hardware, meaning significant improvements in performance over those running ‘peer to peer' networks without any central server.
The second, soon to be launched, offering for new and small businesses by Microsoft is code-named ‘Aurora'. It represents a very exciting prospect as it marks the first time the software giant has designed an operating system specifically to integrate with its cloud services.
Again, cloud is a term, which has caused a great deal of confusion, however, simply put it is any service delivered over the internet. Launched as part of its new generation of Windows Small Business Server, Aurora will give small businesses with up to 25 users onsite file and print sharing with automated PC and server back up, as well as the ability to work from virtually anywhere through Remote Web Access. Aurora is very much optimised to integrate with the subscription based online offerings from Microsoft such as hosted Exchange (e-mail) or Sharepoint (intranet), allowing the more complex aspects of the network to be handled by Microsoft. This leaves the business with a very simple user interface to manage the more routine tasks.
It's not just the software vendors who have realised the opportunity represented by new and smaller businesses and IT hardware giant, HP have also looked to specifically target the sector with a new product. HP claim its new Proliant Microserver is the first of its kind, aimed squarely at Foundation Server and Aurora client base, designed not to intimidate the non technical customer.
It's much smaller and sleeker in design than any previous entry-level server and very quiet in operation meaning it can sit alongside the laptops or PCs in an office without being a nuisance. Its modular design and ‘just enough' specification means the cost can be kept down too, with HP claiming it will cost less than a PC which, for technology built on HP's Proliant legacy, will represent serious value for money.
The ultimate aim for both Microsoft and HP of course, is that by getting businesses on board early on in their development and helping them to understand the benefits of running a ‘true' network, the customers will grow with them upgrading to higher end solutions as they evolve.
For new and small businesses it means there is no longer any sane rational to continue to run their businesses from a peer to peer network of PCs, with a range of affordable, secure and efficient server network products designed specifically with them in mind now available.
With two of the largest IT players setting out their stall to attract small businesses it is inevitable that the competition will follow suit and any resulting power struggles can only be good news for SMBs as they fight for their attention.
For more information please visit www.serversplus.com
