Windows 2003 Standard Server offers the relevant antidote for small growing businesses

Category: Review on Microsoft Windows 2003 Standard Server SP2

Posted by: 22-Aug-2007

Strengths: Includes Exchange and SharePoint in the same pricing. Does not require a dedicated IT person in the company

Weaknesses: Not cheap, not the fastest and plug-ins cost quite a bit

A growing business can do with all the help it can get and that is exactly what Microsoft Windows 2003 Standard Server offers its users. The entire software package offers a system which takes care of those areas which require are tested when the business is expanding. The Suite also includes Windows 2003 Exchange and SharePoint and though there are some restrictions in their functionality, it is not the end of the world really.

The features includes the Standard Server give multiple connectivity options to a small business and though some business owners might shy away from it due to the price and the general animosity towards Microsoft. The 2003 version manages to offer enough DIY options for savvy business owners to turn into their server and this is what appeals to the business owners since they do not need to have dedicated IT personnel to manage the server.

There are many plug-ins available for this version of the Windows Server and though none of them are cheap, they offer their own unique range of features for the office set up and there is little you can do about it. The access control, network control and SharePoint features might take some time to install and you will encounter the issue that the entire software has to be installed in a single server…but it is still worth the effort since nyou get a lot of security features as well as rights management tools.