Microsoft Centro has been an interesting beta so far, of a midmarket software suite and just how it could make sense. Today, it got an official name: Windows Essential Business Server:
REDMOND, Wash., Nov 7, 2007 – There are approximately 1.2 million midsized businesses in the world and their IT needs are unique. Midsized businesses are typically short on IT staff and resources. But in order to maintain growth, they require the same powerful technology solutions used by large companies. To address this need, Microsoft is developing an integrated IT solution for midsized organizations, previously known by the codename “Centro.” Today Microsoft unveiled the product’s official name, “Windows Essential Business Server,” and announced its key components and features, as well as an initial set of industry partners planning to support the new solution. Next week at TechEd: IT Forum in Barcelona, Spain, Microsoft will be demonstrating Windows Essential Business Server.
Steven VanRoekel, Director, Windows Server Solution Group, Microsoft Click for high-res version PressPass spoke with Steven VanRoekel, director of the Windows Server Solutions group at Microsoft, about today’s news. He oversees product management of the family of server products that are tailored to the specific needs of distinct customer segments, including home users, small businesses and, now, midsized companies.
PressPass: What are you announcing today?
VanRoekel: Today we gave Windows Server codename “Centro” an official name: Windows Essential Business Server. We are also communicating the key features and technologies customers will find in Windows Essential Business Server to increase the manageability and reliability of their IT systems, and to help them boost businesses productivity and growth.
In addition, we are announcing that hardware partners, including HP, IBM and Intel, will support Windows Essential Business Server, and that software partners such as Citrix, CA, CommVault, Trend Micro, FullArmor, McAffee, Quest and Symantec plan to provide ”Add-In” solutions for Windows Essential Business Server to enhance the product’s benefits.
PressPass: What exactly is Windows Essential Business Server?
VanRoekel: Windows Essential Business Server is an integrated server infrastructure solution designed for the unique needs of midsized organizations. Windows Essential Business Server combines the technologies of Windows Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007, Forefront Security for Exchange, System Center Essentials, the next version of ISA Server and SQL Server 2008 into an “all-in-one” solution.
With Windows Essential Business Server, IT professionals will find that the acquisition, setup, and ongoing management of IT is vastly simplified. It provides a unified console for management of key IT workloads, it is pre-configured with a tremendous amount of built-in best practices, and it will be licensed – with a Standard and Premium Edition – in a way that makes IT budgeting and purchase simpler and more predictable.
In addition, Windows Essential Business Server provides a single Client Access License for all included products and offers new technologies which simplify license management. Within the administration console, IT professionals can easily ascertain how many licenses they have, who the licenses are assigned to and – when an employee leaves the company – easily re-assign licenses.
We have extensively researched the needs of IT professionals in mid-sized organizations through studies and surveys, and talked with them directly through hundreds of customer visits, focus groups, and meetings with customer and partner advisory boards.
PressPass: What have you learned through this research? How is IT different in midsized companies, versus small business or the enterprise?
VanRoekel: Midsized companies – organizations with up to 250 PCs or so – typically have one or very few IT pros managing the breadth of the company’s needs, including networking, servers, messaging, line-of-business applications and databases, as well as desktops and end user help. Suffice to say, these IT professionals are commonly stretched very thin on time and resources. They are often in reactive, “fire fighting” mode with little time to focus on strategic IT projects, or even to develop consistent processes. I have heard more than one say their role is “a mile wide and an inch deep.” They want to do more to really contribute to their company’s bottom line, but they are just too busy keeping systems up and running.
Windows Essential Business Server is aimed at turning this around for these customers. It provides a new, unified management experience and integrated infrastructure that is easy to ”consume,” as they say, versus having to manage, install and maintain individual products or technologies . Tasks that currently take hours, if not days, are going to be much simpler and faster with Windows Essential Business Server. This will really help IT professionals be more proactive in their planning and efforts. For example, Windows Essential Business Server will provide the platform and the IT reliability to deploy new line of business applications that contribute to business success.
PressPass: How do Microsoft’s partners play a role with Windows Essential Business Server?
VanRoekel: We have been working with our hardware and software partners since we began development of Windows Essential Business Server, and they are excited about the opportunities it presents to help our joint customers in midsized businesses.
Next week at TechEd: IT Forum we are demonstrating Windows Essential Business Server running on the upcoming Intel Modular Server, built on Intel Multi-Flex Technology. It is a simple-to-use, flexible, all-in one server and storage system for small and midsized businesses, and a great way for channel resellers to help customers better manage their IT needs.
At the conference we’ll also be demonstrating prototypes of software partner “Add-Ins” that customers will be able to deploy and manage through the Windows Essential Business Server unified administration console.
CA ARCserve Backup’s integration with the Centro Administration Console enables mid-market IT staffs to more easily manage essential data protection tasks – enabling them to launch, monitor, and troubleshoot backup jobs from the same intuitive interface they use to fulfill their other management responsibilities.
The Citrix Access Essentials Server will allow IT professionals to easily provide the on-site experience for offsite workers, offering wizard-driven installation and configuration as part of its integrated setup.
FullArmor’s Workflow Studio allows IT administrators to automate day to day administrative tasks and Endpoint Policy Manager provides endpoint compliance, reporting, and policy enforcement for Group Policy.
Symantec’s leading security and backup portfolio will also be integrating with the Centro Administration console, offering users the benefit of added simplicity and flexibility for managing Symantec Backup Exec and Symantec Endpoint Protection native consoles.
IBM views its IBM BladeCenter S and System x servers as an ideal platform for Windows Essential Business Server. Geared for smaller offices, Blade Center S offers an integrated business-in-a box foundation, with configurable shared storage and office-friendly 110v power. And the System x line provides advanced availability along with a price advantage that works for small to midsized business.
HP views its C-3000 BladeSystem or “Shorty” as an ideal platform for Windows Essential Business Server because of the ideal form factor, flexibility of configurations and design leadership.
Also, for many solution providers and consultants, Windows Essential Business Server represents a great way to serve the needs of midsized clients. The many solution providers that implement Windows Small Business Server or Windows Server for their customers see Windows Essential Business Server as “a new arrow in the quiver” to extend their business into the mid-market, where IT spending is growing fast.
PressPass: When will Windows Essential Business Server be available?
VanRoekel: Windows Essential Business Server is slated for availability in the second half of 2008, as part of the Windows Server 2008 wave of products. The product is currently in private beta. We anticipate making a public beta available in the first half of 2008.
PressPass: You also oversee product management for Windows Small Business Server. Is there any update on the next version, code-named “Cougar”?
VanRoekel: The next version of Windows Small Business Server is currently in its first, private beta release. We couldn’t be happier with how the beta program is progressing. The passion for this product within the small business customer and partner community is incredible. We are looking forward to providing additional details on this product in the coming months.
Interesting… So far, at least according to public commentary, SBS 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server will launch at the same time….
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