Advice on Corporate Server Software and Direction   

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

date: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:04:18 +0100   author:   TheScullster

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"  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
>

date: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:00:15 -0700   author:   Martin Blackstone [MVP]

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"  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
>

date: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:51:05 -0700   author:   Kerry Brown kerry@kdbNOSPAMsys-tems.c*a*m