technical expertise is STUPID. It is a recipe for disaster.
In addition, 10 users and less means you don't even need a server so basically this is for companies with between 10 and 15 users. Not 15 or less.
Windows server has Linux in crosshairs
Summary
Microsoft's new entry-level server edition is aimed squarely at Linux, and the software giant says its "simplicity" is expected to give it the edge over Linux as the choice server OS for the small business segment.
Topics
SINGAPORE--Microsoft's new entry-level server edition, Windows Server 2008 Foundation, is aimed squarely at Linux, and the software giant says its "simplicity" is expected to give it the edge over Linux as the choice server OS for the small business segment.
By competing with Linux on a lower price point and touting Windows' familiar interface, Microsoft said it hopes to make both servers and its server OS an easy choice for small businesses looking to deploy a server. Each server, preloaded with the OS, will cost below S$1,500 (US$1,029).
Haresh Khoobchandani, senior director, business and marketing organisation, Microsoft Singapore, spoke to ZDNet Asia on Friday's local launch of Windows Server 2008 Foundation.
Part of Microsoft's Windows Server 2008 product line, this edition is aimed at single-processor servers with fewer than 15 users.
Khoobchandani said small businesses in Asia are taking their IT deployments more seriously, which has created demand for a lower-priced entry-level server offering.
Microsoft hopes its partnering with manufacturers Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Dell to preload the OS on their hardware for the roll-out, will help make it simpler for small businesses to get started with the product.
"There's a big saving on cost, because businesses won't have to worry about bringing in technical expertise to deploy the OS," said Khoobchandani.
On competition posed by Linux, he said the familiarity of the "established" Windows experience is also expected to "take away the complexity of how to use a server".
Additionally, Microsoft is also looking to its independent software vendor (ISV) ecosystem for the edge over Linux. For its Singapore launch, it has partnered with two local ISVs to come out with a legal and HR application, available to SMBs on the platform for separate licenses issued by the ISVs.
Linux offers more advanced features such as virtualization for free, but Khoobchandani said a small company with below 25 seats is not likely to look into virtualization yet.
Microsoft estimates the small business segment in the Asia-Pacific region to span some 6 million such companies with an average of 25 PCs, and is worth about 38 percent of the region's total server market.
Khoobchandani said Microsoft estimates there to be about 100,000 small businesses in the island state. Globally, it estimates there are 32 million small businesses, 70 percent of which do not own a server.
Liow Poh Leong, System x and BladeCenter product line manager at IBM, told ZDNet Asia, the company expects the product to appeal to businesses that have so far been purchasing "home user type" PCs for their IT needs.
"This group of customers are extremely cost-conscious and the IT adoption rate is fairly low."
Adeline Soh, business director, Industry Standard Servers, HP Singapore, said SMBs in the region tend to be smaller than their global counterparts.
Quoting a recent HP survey, she said 75 percent of businesses in general, recognize the importance of aligning technology and business goals. "Increasingly, we see SMBs turning to technology to enable better business outcomes."
This article was first posted on ZDNet Asia.
Talkback Most Recent of 32 Talkback(s)
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bjbrock22nd May 2009 -
Plugging In $40 Computers
What would you do with a $40 Linux computer the size of a three-prong plug adapter?
"Marvell Technology Group is counting on an army of computer engineers and hackers to answer that question. It has created a plug computer. It's a tiny plastic box that you plug into an electric outlet. There's no display. But there is an Ethernet jack to connect to a home network and a U.S.B. socket for attaching a hard drive, camera or other device. Inside is a 1.2 gigahertz Marvell chip, called an application processor, running a version of the Linux operating system."
^o^
n0neXn0ne22nd May 2009 -
John Zern22nd May 2009 -
It's laughable that ...
... the US. Army chose a product that won "The 10 Biggest
Tech Failures of the Last Decade" and seems to be proud of it (so much for competence).
Ballmer says skip Vista. Russia took the warning serious. Russia is moving to Linux away from Windows and the US. Army is adding the worst IT product in a decade.
In a 21 Century Cyber Warfare who you think will win?
PS. My second thought, I don't think that's funny at all.
^o^
n0neXn0ne24th May 2009 -
Back End Server
Now all it needs is a backend server that can serve virtual apps to these little wonders. If you into Linux you can try NoMachine, if you're into Windows apps you can try ThinServer
http://www.nomachine.com
http://www.aikotech.com/thinserver.htm
ThinkFairer24th May 2009 -
What about CALs?
I've always found the server software itself to be affordably priced (though just barely), but it's the added price of all the CALs that get you in the end.
Michael Kelly22nd May 2009 -
SSSHH!!! Don't talk about CAL's...
...you'll unravel Microsoft's hidden cost...
DonRupertBitByte22nd May 2009 -
xXSpeedzXx22nd May 2009 -
Like a penny bag, it looks free until you need more.
CALS are always an issue with Microsoft even when they're not immediately an issue; it is just a little harder to convince your manager why when it comes time to purchase it if they make it look too good to be true. Old M$ tactic...But small business's that do well are not going to stay small and Microsoft will try and get them small and then hit them when they're big. Because managers and owners of rapidly growing companies don't want to change OS in mid-growth, your salespeople are unproductive when they have to learn a new system, and that means being willing to pay back to the pusher big fees once the free Windows CAL's aren't enough to stay off the shakes.
Socratesfoot22nd May 2009 -
Wow! J.K. Rowlings has nothing on you...
...when it comes to spinning fantasies.
What else is in our future, Miss Cleo?
MGP222nd May 2009 -
Actually,
Socrates' analysis is accurate.
No need to belittle him just because you apparently don't like his opinion.
nizuse23rd May 2009 -
RE: Windows server has Linux in crosshairs
I like win server's remote desktop.
Gladiatorcn22nd May 2009 -
Thank Citrix
for that one. X-Server anyone?
User0773422nd May 2009 -
x-server sucks
x-server has many restrictions. And I get different UI in different machines. It bothered me when I used to program in Qt.Gladiatorcn25th May 2009 -
RE: Windows server has Linux in crosshairs
Well that's not saying much. Microsoft Windows Server has always excelled over linux in all market segments. They know that linux is too much of a hassle to get up and running with the constant updates and recompiling and reconfiguring of applications. Microsoft Windows provides an easy out of the box solution.
Loverock Davidson22nd May 2009
Talkback - Tell Us What You Think
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