Now that Windows Small Business Server is end of life, what are my options?
Windows Small Business Server was the ideal solution for most small businesses; it offered cheaper user and device licenses with Microsoft Exchange built in. Having Microsoft Exchange built in to SBS offered small businesses a professional email system at an affordable price and the Small Business Server operating system made a server more economically viable to small businesses. Sadly Microsoft have announced that Small Business Server is now end of life.
Windows Small Business Server 2011
Windows Small Business Server 2011 was the last SBS operating system to be released, sadly this operating system is no longer available to purchase and has been replaced by Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials.
Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials
Whilst Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials has its similarities to SBS 2011, Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials does not include or support Microsoft Exchange. If you wish to use Microsoft Exchange with Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials you will need to use Hosted Microsoft Exchange, which JM Restart Limited can provide and setup, through Host Oven. Using Hosted Microsoft Exchange means a monthly subscription which some companies want to avoid, however JM Restart Limited's and Host Oven's pricing is very affordable and competitive compared to other providers.
Microsoft Exchange 2013
Microsoft Exchange 2013 can still be purchased and installed separately on Windows Server 2012 R2, however Microsoft Exchange 2013 cannot be installed on Essentials. If you wish to purchase Microsoft Exchange 2013 you must use either Standard or Data center edition. This solution is somewhat more expensive in comparison to SBS and may not be financially viable for small businesses, but it can be more cost effective in the long term.
If you have any questions regarding what server solution would be ideal for you, get in touch with us.
