Microsoft SMS&P Blog

0 

Back at Worldwide Partner Conference, several of us from Microsoft sat in a room with our SMB PALs from around the world and discussed small business server solutions moving forward with the arrival of Windows Server 2012 Standard and Windows Server 2012 Essentials. One of the asks from the partner community was, “We need an easy to consume guide/cheat sheet that explains what server solutions we as partners in the small business segment can utilize for various small business customer scenarios as Windows Server 2012 becomes the server solution available to them, and some of the topline benefits of those.” With that ask, we’ve been working on this type of deliverable, and as some of you know (since you were the ones directly involved) we’ve been talking with several of you directly, getting your input and feedback on the various drafts and revisions we’ve been making to it to ensure it delivers what it is you are looking for.

I am very happy to announce that we have now posted the, “Recommended Small Business Scenarios with Windows Server 2012” guide to the Partner Marketing Center for you to download and use today. This document provides you scenario based server solutions for small businesses, including solutions that span on-premise, hybrid, and cloud solutions, depending on the needs of the client.

For example, do any of these scenarios sound like a customer or customers you serve the needs of:

 
• Customer Needs:
     
  • Existing SBS 2003/2008 Standard wanting equivalent on-premises capabilities
       
  • Support for hosting virtual machines and multiple server instances
     
   
 
• Customer Needs:
     
  • Cloud-connected server for up to 25 users and up to 50 devices
       
  • Better security of business critical information
       
  • Low acquisition cost, agility, and manageability of cloud-based email
     
   
 
• Customer Needs:
     
  • Full featured server for physical computing or lightly virtualized environment
       
  • Cloud-based email for agility and manageability
     
   

The “Recommended Small Business Scenarios with Windows Server 2012” guide also includes a Frequently Asked Questions section, which was constructed based on questions we have received directly from our partner community. Take a look at some of the information included in this FAQ:

 
• Where can I find additional information about migrating from previous versions of Windows Small Business Server to Windows Server 2012 Essentials?
 
• What will Windows SBS 2011 Standard customers with Software Assurance receive?
 
• What is the recommended solution for customers who are looking for a “premium” small business server offering?
 
• What will Windows SBS 2011 Premium Add-on customers with Software Assurance receive?
 
• Where can I find more information about growing beyond the 25 user account limit of Windows Server 2012 Essentials?
 
• Where can I find information about the end of support dates for Windows SBS?
 
• Where can I find additional frequently asked questions and licensing information for Windows Server 2012 Essentials?

In addition, there is also a Key Resources section that includes links to even more information for you, our partners who service the needs of small businesses around the world. Take a few moments and download the “Recommended Small Business Scenarios with Windows Server 2012” guide for yourself today.

Also, I would like to one again offer my sincere, “Thank you,” to all of the partners that provided input into the document in the form of asks, revisions, suggestions, updates, etc. Having your involvement in this has been incredibly valuable and we really appreciate your helping us deliver this guide for you and your fellow small business partners. If you have additional feedback or suggestions for this document that you think would be helpful, please pass them along to me and I’ll be sure to share them with the team for additional consideration.

Did you find this information helpful? If so, you may want to make sure you are utilizing all of the areas I share information online, such as:

                   

My Twitter account         My Linkedin account         My blog         My Facebook page

Get the Microsoft Partner Info Mobile App and get access to the latest from all of those plus: product teams, MPN teams, Microsoft News and hundreds more resources here at Microsoft right on your phone:

Thanks again for being a reader of my blog!

                   

Tweet this:

Thank you and have a wonderful day,

Eric Ligman – Follow me on TWITTER, LinkedIn, and RSS and see “What I’m thinking”   
Director, Worldwide Partner Experience    
Microsoft Corporation    
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights

 
Bookmark on: MSDN , TechNet, and Expression 
 

Name:

Email:

View comment guidelines

Remember me

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Submit the word you see below: