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Written by Scott Bennett ,
Tuesday, 04 November 2008 09:02
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Microsoft are currently touring the country delivering readiness training on their new Windows Essential Server Solutions products.
Last Thursday they hit Edinburgh to present to the local SBS User Group community.
The event was held at the [very] nice Scottish HQ for Microsoft (at the Waverley Gate building at the bottom of North Bridge) and was well attended - in excess of 30 partners & SBSC's were present.
Hats off to Archie Bell for extending the invite to all and sundry. Thanks also to all those at Microsoft who made the event happen.
Windows Essential Server Solutions
Led by Gareth Hall and Jamie Burgess, the main session covered the pending launch of Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server 2008 on 12th November
To recap, SBS 2008 is a one or two box server solution designed for smaller businesses (up to 75 users) whilst EBS 2008 is a three box server solution designed for medium-sized businesses (up to 300 users)
Some of the more interesting points I gleaned from the presentation and SBS 2008 demo were as follows:
| The slogan "Multiply Your Power" has been dropped for the UK market | The UK marketing team have adopted the equally exciting term "Accelerate Your Capabilities". |
| There was a strong focus on SharePoint | The growth in the market for SharePoint products and solutions was heavily emphasised. Gareth made the point that this could represent a future source of revenue growth for partners. |
| Think carefully about installing the included 120-day trials of ForeFront & OneCare | It was pointed out by Gareth that partners will not earn any revenue from clients who activate and pay for ForeFront and OneCare at the end of their 120-day trials. Clearly this acts as a disincentive to install these products when implementing SBS or EBS. Partners were strongly encouraged to email their displeasure on this decision directly to Gareth. |
| Be aware of SBS 2008 Premium downgrade rights | SBS 2008 Premium edition contains a second copy of Windows Server 2008 and a copy of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard edition. If required, downgrade rights can be applied to both the server (downgrading to Windows 2003 Server) and database (downgrading to SQL Server 2005) products. Note that in the latter case, downgrade rights will only be available during the first 12 months from launch. |
| SBS 2008 is likely to cost more | The pricing of both the Standard and Premium editions has increased. The FPP/retail version of SBS 2008 Standard is around £875 (compared to around £400 for SBS 2003 Standard) whilst the FPP/retail version of SBS 2008 Premium will cost around £1600 (compared to £900 for SBS 2003 Premium). This has been offset by a reduction in the price of Client Access Licenses (approx £65 v £80 for standard) and by the fact that they are now also available individually rather than in packs of five - so businesses with 6 and 11 seats etc. will gain the most from this change. |
| Marketing activities will 'kick-in' during Q1, 2009 | In addition to the WESS awareness events that are going on now, Microsoft will be attending local 'influence events' across the country from January onwards to promote SBS 2008 and EBS 2008. This will include SBS User Groups, Chamber of Commerce events etc. Their WESS / SBSC advertising and marketing campaigns will also kick in during this timeframe. |
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