Guest TheScullster Posted July 25, 2008 Posted July 25, 2008 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
Guest Martin Blackstone [MVP] Posted July 25, 2008 Posted July 25, 2008 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 >
Guest Kerry Brown Posted July 25, 2008 Posted July 25, 2008 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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