Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS) 2011, the final release of the SBS product family, is a value-priced suite of server products designed to provide the foundation for a feature-rich, easy-to-manage on-premises data center. Small Business Server offers advanced security, data sharing, unified messaging, Internet access, web site hosting, server backup and restore, support for remote and wireless workers, automated system administration, computer health monitoring, and optional support for virtualization.
Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can deliver affordable remote network consulting and troubleshooting services for all versions of Microsoft Small Business Server from SBS 2000 to SBS 2011. Progent's Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials consultants can also help you plan and carry out an efficient migration to Windows Server Essentials and Office 365, Microsoft's newer hybrid solution for small-business computing that combines an entry-level on-premises server with cloud-resident applications available on a subscription basis. Progent's planning, integration, optimization, and technical support services cover system design, deployment, Help Desk Call Center support, certified security consulting, IT management outsourcing, and hosting services at world-class colocation centers.
MS Small Business Server 2011 is designed for businesses with as many as 75 workstations who require high-level dependability and features but don't have the budget to handle the cost and complexity of licensing and maintaining enterprise software. MS Small Business Server 2011 is an affordable and easy way to build a solid foundation for an information network with world-class protection, speed, connectivity, and reliability.
Components and Benefits of MS SBS 2011
MS SBS 2011 was available in the Standard and the Premium Add-on editions. The Standard edition includes Windows 2008 Server R2, Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Standard SP1, Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Foundation, and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) 3.0 with SP2. The Premium Add-on includes a second Windows 2008 license plus Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 for Small Businesses. The additional copy of Windows Server 2008 allows you to run Windows Hyper-V as well as Remote Desktop Services. These features were previously included in the SBS 2008 Premium Edition. Key SBS 2011 components include:
- Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard Technologies
This reliable and secure operating system is the ideal host for popular applications such as the Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Dynamics business accounting and reporting, and custom Windows-based line-of-business software. Windows Server 2008 incorporates the power of Active Directory services utilities for managing network users and resources, and also features advanced web hosting and support for secure remote access.
- Exchange Server 2010 Standard SP1
This release of Exchange offers significant improvements over previous versions by introducing features like continuous local and off-site backup, support for commodity disk drives to allow larger inboxes, Web Client Access for Outlook-like access to email from any major web browser, advanced voice mail services including voice-to-text translation, and powerful tools for enforcing security and compliance.
- Windows SharePoint 2010 Foundation
This platform for building internal Web-based business applications replaces Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 and includes a variety of new or enhanced features in the areas of Workflows, sandbox solutions, business connectivity services, and Microsoft Office 2010 integration. These features improve people's ability to access and share documents, analyze business data from diverse sources, and communicate with each other.
- Windows Server Update Services 3.0 with SP2
Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) automates the process of deploying patches and updates to each server and workstation across an entire network. By ensuring that all systems in an organization are consistently and promptly updated with patches distributed via the Microsoft Update web, WSUS enhances system security, minimizes compatibility problems, lower administrative costs, and increases productivity.
- Microsoft SQL Server R2 for Small Businesses (Included with Premium Add-on)
This version of SQL 2008 is designed to operate only in the SBS 2011 environment but offers all the enterprise-class reporting, data warehousing, programming, and management tools of SQL Server 2008 Standard. This advanced database manager allows organizations to run a broad range of off-the-shelf business software or develop custom programs for mission-critical applications.
- Windows Hyper-V (Requires Premium Add-on to Implement)
Hyper-V is designed as a role of Windows Server 2008 R2 that allows you to deploy and manage a sophisticated virtual server environment. Virtual servers can save you equipment costs, streamline management, improve server availability, enhance security, and speed up server restoration. Hyper-V requires the second Windows Server 2008 license included with SBS 2011 Premium Add-on.
- Windows Server Remote Desktop Services (Requires Premium Add-on to Implement)
Formerly called Terminal Services, this component of Windows Server 2008 can make a the entire desktop of a computer located at the corporate network accessible to an off-site user running any operating system that supports Remote Desktop Protocol. Windows Server Remote Desktop Services requires the second Windows Server 2008 license included with SBS 2011 Premium Add-on.
How Progent's Consultants Can Provide Microsoft Small Business Server 2011 Support
Microsoft Small Business Server is a comprehensive solution for building a strong foundation for your information network. Because SBS 2011 incorporates so many technologies, the most productive implementation of this software package requires an IT consulting company with real-world expertise and an extensive background in planning and building business networks. The experience of Progent's Microsoft-certified technical group, with an average of more than two decades of consulting in Microsoft technology, ensures you success in planning, executing, and managing a smooth migration to Small Business Server 2011 that includes tight integration of SBS 2011 with your application environment.
Progent's certified IT consultants offer advanced skills in a broad range of practice areas related to Small Business Server. Some of the services available from Progent to support your SBS 2011 deployment include:
- Windows Server Consulting
Progent is a Microsoft Partner with the Server Platform competency and can help you design and carry out an implementation of Windows Server 2008 R2 and Active Directory that enforces high levels of security and streamlines management. Progent can also help you configure applications such as Microsoft Office and Microsoft Dynamics to take full advantage of the powerful features of Windows 2008.
- Microsoft Exchange Expertise
Progent's Exchange experts can optimize the security, accessibility, and recoverability of Exchange 2010 and can show you how to save money and improve productivity by implementing PBX-like features for voice mail such as programmable attendants, call alerts, automatic call routing based on Caller ID, and fast message preview based on voice-to-text conversion. For enhanced security, Progent can help you configure Exchange 2010 with Active Directory Rights Management Service.
- SharePoint Integration and Development
Progent's SharePoint consultants can show you how to promote collaboration and social computing by setting up internal web sites for wikis, blogs, and discussion forums. Progent can also help you create web sites to share business data using pre-built templates or based on custom development to match your special business needs. In addition, Progent can help you assess the business benefits of upgrading to SharePoint Server 2010 for advanced enterprise search, content management, and business analytics.
- SQL Server Support
SQL Server is an enterprise-class platform that can support line-of-business data-driven applications. Progent can help you configure and manage SQL Server 2008 or migrate from previous versions of SQL Server. Progent can show you how to virtualize SQL Server, backup and restore critical data, establish and enforce security policies based on industry best practices, tune performance, plan for storage requirements, and make the databases managed by SQL Server easily accessible to authorized users whether local, remote, or mobile.
- Windows Hyper-V Virtual Server Solutions
Server virtualization not only saves you the cost of unnecessary hardware but can also dramatically improve system availability, simplify server management, and accelerate system recovery. Progent can help you evaluate the business benefits of Windows Hyper-V and assist you to plan, build, and manage a virtual environment that adds substantial business value to your network.
- Cisco Network Infrastructure Design and Support
Progent maintains one of the largest teams of Cisco-certified CCIE network engineers of any independent consulting firm in the U.S. and offers cost-effective online access to world-class experts for designing, configuring, managing, and troubleshooting network infrastructure based on Cisco technology. Progent has worked with major enterprises and ISPs to solve the most challenging network infrastructure problems and with small businesses looking for help setting up affordable network architectures that are secure, dependable, fast, and easy to manage.
- Disaster Recovery Planning
New technologies and services have made enterprise-class recoverability feasible even for small businesses. Virtualization, clustering, multi-site colocation centers in seismically inactive areas, and sophisticated software such as Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager can all be marshaled to protect your data and restore your IT operations promptly in case of a catastrophic event. Progent can help you plan, implement, test, and document the technology and operational processes required to support fast and dependable disaster recovery.
- Security and Compliance
Progent's ISSAP-CISSP, CISM, CISA, and GIAC certified security engineers offer low-cost security vulnerability scanning and analysis services to help small businesses detect and correct weaknesses in their network security profile both inside and outside the firewall. Progent can also help clients deploy technology and establish operational processes in order to comply with industry and government security standards.
- Smart Phone Synchronization and Management
Progent's iPhone and iPad consultants, Android Phone and tablet experts, and BlackBerry specialists can help you integrate and manage smart phones so that your mobile workers can access email and web-based applications securely and easily. Progent can troubleshoot synchronization and remote activation/deactivation issues and can show you how to manage the security and use of network-attached smart phones.
- Internet Access Consulting
Many small businesses rely on legacy Internet connections or have stayed with costly ISP service plans even though dramatically better options are available. Essentially, companies are paying too money much for too little performance. Progent can help you make sense of the jargon and hype prevalent in the Internet connectivity market so you can select an ISP and a service plan that lowers your costs and improves your productivity.
- Webinar Training for Desktop Applications
Progent offers individuals or groups custom online webinar training classes covering popular desktop applications including Microsoft Office and Microsoft Dynamics accounting software. Online training saves money, eliminates the logistical hassle of scheduling multiple people for physical classrooms, and gets your workers up to speed quickly on the enhanced features and capabilities of the latest releases of Microsoft office productivity, financial, and management reporting applications.
To make your Microsoft Small Business Server package even more economical and simpler to support, Progent offers small companies across the U.S. a Small Business Network Services Program that allows you to outsource all your IT administration, technical support and Help Desk Call Center requirements to Progent's skilled staff of Microsoft-certified engineers and technicians. You get world-class network support without the expense and distraction of maintaining a large internal service organization.
Cut Consulting Costs with Progent's Remote Support Services for Microsoft Small Business Server
Progent's remote support experts offer affordable online consulting, troubleshooting, and custom application programming services for all the components of Microsoft Small Business Server including Windows Server 2008 R2, Exchange Server 2010, SharePoint 2010 Foundation, and Microsoft SQL Server for Small Businesses. Online consulting avoids the costs and delays associated with travel and on-premises setup so that you arrive at IT solutions faster and more affordably. Progent has delivered remote network consulting and support services
to customers in every state in the U.S. (see Progent's customer testimonials).
Contact Progent for Help with Microsoft Small Business Server
For more details about the consulting and support services offered by Progent for Microsoft Small Business Server, call 800-993-9400 or visit Contact Progent.
For immediate help with Microsoft Small Business Server or Exchange Server, phone 800-993-9400 or visit Contact Progent.