Small Business Server

Do you own a small business? If so, you have a choice between a small business server or staying with a shared server.

What is a Small Business Server?
A small business server is a package of software that may allow up to 50 to 75 computer users to work through a single hardware system at the same time. Small business server software might include:

• A print server to centrally control printing
• An email server to centrally download and distribute emails
• A proxy server to provide access to the Internet for multiple users
• A Web server
• A backup server to manage backups
• A file server to provide password regulated document security and storage

Small Business Server Advantages
Some of the small business server advantages may include:

• Easy to install
• Can be bought pre-installed in some new computers
• Quick startup
• Ability to add additional software if required
• Remote access
• Shared calendaring
• Ability to share documents internally

Small Business Servers Disadvantages

• May be required to buy license per user
• Requires some knowledge of ICT
• May have to have either Windows 2000 or XP Professional Edition to work
• May have to buy additional software to cover your needs
• Will not work for multiple or branch offices
• May require additional spam and firewall protection

Benefits of Small Business Servers

• You will save money because you will be buying software as a package rather than individually
• You will have better reliability and performance
• You may be able to shorten your sales cycle and improve customer service
• You may be able to improve productivity
• You will be able to work from home or any other location that has a PC

Shared Hosting
An alternative to small business servers is shared or virtual hosting. If you use shared small business server hosting, you will use a Web hosting provider rather than relying on your own dedicated server. You will be sharing this service with other companies. Your server is responsible for services including file management, security and backups.

Shared Hosting Advantages
Shared hosting advantages include:

• Price. Shared hosting is less expensive since the costs of running the server are spread out between you and others using the server
• Your server will maintain and guarantee security
• Some servers offer the services that a business requires to function today
• You do not have to have sophisticated computer knowledge to use shared hosting

Shared Hosting Disadvantages

• Plans may have limitations on disk space
• Plans may have limitations on bandwidth
• Your computers may operate more slowly
• Your site may crash

Buy a Small Business Server
If you are considering buying a small business server, make sure that you understand the features of all of the available versions of small business servers before you make a purchase. Take into consideration not only where your business is today, but where you expect your business to be in the next several years. Keep in mind that while you do not have to be a computer genius to install and maintain a small business server, you or someone in your organization will need to have some computer savvy.