Advice on Corporate Server Software and Direction

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TheScullster

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Hi all

I am looking for advice from you good people with regard to software and
strategy to be considered for a forthcoming IT upgrade.

In the next few months it will be necessary to replace our file/print server
(Win2K3) and email server (Win2K3 and Exch2003).
The company comprises approx 50 users currently on XP clients. 10-15 of
these are regular travellers who use OWA and Blackberry email for mobile
communication.

The intention is that we will move to the current flavour of Windows server
software.

My questions relate to additional software that the group might recommend
for improved communication and data access, bearing in mind cost and benefit
for the numbers concerned. Also, what impact on server spec would be
anticipated.
The places visited by the travelling contingent tend to be in developing
countries with less stable, less reliable telecomms so I am reluctant to
grant users VPN access.

Any pointers on appropriate options/direction would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

Phil
 
Re: Advice on Corporate Server Software and Direction

I'm not sure what you are asking for here unless its some kind of consulting
engagement to spec and design your architecture.

On a more basic note, you say you want the latest flavor of server OS.
That's Windows 2008. You want to run Exchange? On Windows 2008, that means
Exchange 2007 SP1.
Exchange 2007 brings to the table Outlook Anywhere and improved OWA which
helps alleviate the VPN issue.

As for unreliable telecoms, you could try aircards or even satellite
internet. Many carriers that have Blackberry offer tethered modem services
where you can connect a BB to your laptop via a USB cable and use it for an
internet connection. There is usually an additional charge for this.
If bandwidth is an issue, you can look at WAN acceleration devices.
Riverbed, Cisco, Bluecoat, etc. You would need one that has a mobile client
for users on the go.
I know Riverbed makes a mobile client for users on the go, I'm not sure
about the others, but you can certainly check them out.
Those are all viable options and reliable vendors.

"TheScullster" <phil@dropthespam.com> wrote in message
news:_I-dnUrlZoBICBTVnZ2dnUVZ8q7inZ2d@eclipse.net.uk...
> Hi all
>
> I am looking for advice from you good people with regard to software and
> strategy to be considered for a forthcoming IT upgrade.
>
> In the next few months it will be necessary to replace our file/print
> server (Win2K3) and email server (Win2K3 and Exch2003).
> The company comprises approx 50 users currently on XP clients. 10-15 of
> these are regular travellers who use OWA and Blackberry email for mobile
> communication.
>
> The intention is that we will move to the current flavour of Windows
> server software.
>
> My questions relate to additional software that the group might recommend
> for improved communication and data access, bearing in mind cost and
> benefit for the numbers concerned. Also, what impact on server spec would
> be anticipated.
> The places visited by the travelling contingent tend to be in developing
> countries with less stable, less reliable telecomms so I am reluctant to
> grant users VPN access.
>
> Any pointers on appropriate options/direction would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> TIA
>
> Phil
>
 
Re: Advice on Corporate Server Software and Direction

If you're not planning to expand past 75 users you may want to look at Small
Business Server 2008. It is due to be released shortly. The Remote Web
Workplace feature may be something that would work for you. If you foresee
expanding beyond 75 users take a look at Essential Business Server. You can
setup the Blackberries to use OWA (email only) or install BIS. The Premium
edition of SBS 2008 includes a second full Server 2008 license which could
be used for BIS along with other roles.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/essential/sbs/default.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/essential/ebs/default.mspx

--
Kerry Brown
MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
http://vistahelpca.blogspot.com/




"TheScullster" <phil@dropthespam.com> wrote in message
news:_I-dnUrlZoBICBTVnZ2dnUVZ8q7inZ2d@eclipse.net.uk...
> Hi all
>
> I am looking for advice from you good people with regard to software and
> strategy to be considered for a forthcoming IT upgrade.
>
> In the next few months it will be necessary to replace our file/print
> server (Win2K3) and email server (Win2K3 and Exch2003).
> The company comprises approx 50 users currently on XP clients. 10-15 of
> these are regular travellers who use OWA and Blackberry email for mobile
> communication.
>
> The intention is that we will move to the current flavour of Windows
> server software.
>
> My questions relate to additional software that the group might recommend
> for improved communication and data access, bearing in mind cost and
> benefit for the numbers concerned. Also, what impact on server spec would
> be anticipated.
> The places visited by the travelling contingent tend to be in developing
> countries with less stable, less reliable telecomms so I am reluctant to
> grant users VPN access.
>
> Any pointers on appropriate options/direction would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> TIA
>
> Phil
>
 
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