Small Business Server service from Microsoft Windows is arguably much sort after among other software platforms for small business globally. Rivals to SBS like IBM and Novell have tried to no avail to get SBS displaced. The fact that an increasing number of small businesses are now having an increased interest in Cloud Computing and SaaS (software as a service) may change that existing trend. It seems that Windows Small Business Server may no longer have the lion share as the server of choice among small business.
Some experts have even considered the likelihood of a complete abandonment of on-premises servers by small business a possibility. Red Hat, a Microsoft rival, plans to get more customers among small business through the use of the Cloud. Cloud Computing is gaining much more attention because of the number of benefits it offers. It offers its users a more flexible, faster and cheaper server option. Cloud computing is also easier to initiate and sustain. The business does not need an on the premise server, as cloud computing only requires a computer and an internet access.
No doubt, the attraction of a hybrid solution may be irresistible to small businesses. In other words, many small businesses may opt for a combination of on-premise servers and the Cloud. It is less unlikely that this development will take Microsoft and a good number of partners like Level Platforms, Lenovo and Intel unaware as they are already working on the hybrid solution. It was one of the big issues for discussion at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference. Clearly Microsoft and other big time players are already considering ways to creating a solution that can rival Cloud Computing.
An Intel Hybrid Cloud awareness talk was on discussed at the conference even before its official kick off. It is offered to end-customers by MSPs on a pay-as-you-go server. White-box or Lenovo hardware is used to run SBS by the Intel Hybrid Cloud solution. Another component of the solution set of Intel Hybrid Cloud is known as Manage Workplace, a software on remote monitoring and management (RMM).
The Intel Hybrid Cloud is a little complex. Microsoft also have started plans to combine cloud computing and their Small Business Servers. The conference was used as an avenue to discuss and explain some of the complex issues and proposed features.
With a recent announcement of a new team by Microsoft some days to this conference, it was obvious that it is bent on increasing its SMB market share. The team with the name: Small, Medium Business and Distribution Organization, is saddled with the responsibility of boosting Microsoft’s marketing and sales effort with relation to medium and small sized business. Cindy Bates, Microsoft VP leads the team, which clearly has a considerable task on their hands with Cloud Computing gaining popularity.
A lot of people are clearly eager to see how the new team will fare and how the Microsoft and their other partners will react and the hybrid server programs that they will be able to come out with.
