Kicking and Screaming I am Bloggin

Hi Gang,

This morning Microsoft made some more information public, this is important please read it, I have included the highlights below, the entire press release is available at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/serversolutions

REDMOND, Wash. — May 13, 2008 — Customers and Microsoft Corp. partners can now visit http://www.MultiplyYourPower.com to find out how to evaluate pre-release versions of Windows Essential Server Solutions for small and midsize companies: Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server 2008. Microsoft also today announced pricing for both solutions.Solutions Designed and Priced for Small and Midsize BusinessesSlated for general availability later this year, Windows Essential Server Solutions are much easier for small and midsize companies to implement and manage than separate products. In response to customer and partner feedback, Windows Essential Server Solutions provide flexible pricing and licensing that offer substantial cost savings over purchasing individual products like those included in the solutions. Examples of licensing improvements over the current Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 product include these:·         Customers will be able to purchase single client access licenses (CALs), so they will pay only for the exact number of employees using the product. ·         Customers can cost-effectively purchase a mix of Standard or Premium CALs, as appropriate to the technologies that individual employees are using.·         CALs now apply to other copies of Windows Server, SQL Server or Exchange Server on the network, eliminating the need to purchase additional CALs.Also, Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition includes additional Windows Server 2008 Standard technologies with SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition for Small Business, making it an ideal platform for critical business applications. Windows Essential Server Solutions pricing* is as follows:·         Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard Edition software, including five CALs, $1,089 (U.S.); additional CALs $77 each (U.S.)·         Windows Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition software, including five CALs, $1,899 (U.S.); additional CALs $189 each (U.S.)·         Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Standard Edition software, including five CALs, $5,472 (U.S.); additional CALs $81 each (U.S.)·         Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Premium Edition software, including five CALs, $7,163 (U.S.); additional CALs $195 each (U.S.)

Microsoft also today announced rebates of up to $200 (U.S.) for solution provider partners configuring Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 for their clients who acquire the software and purchase Software Assurance within a certain time period. With Software Assurance, customers will receive the upgrade to Small Business Server 2008 at no additional cost when it is available, as well as access to support, tools and training. Terms and conditions of the rebates are available at http://www.SBSrebate.com.

Ok so it is not really a secret, but if you missed the SMB Summit in Dallas, the SBS Team made a good deal of stuff public that had been previously NDA.

Robie downunder has posted links to the presentations and has promised to update it with yet more of them.

So hop down to the bottom of the world (virtually) and check out THIS SITE

That is right, just announced on the New EBS Blog they have opened up the nomination process for testers of the upcoming Essential Business Server. Want to nominate yourself to participate, CLICK HERE

HA-note: The nomination link on their blog is temporarily broken but should be fixed as soon as someone on the east coast wakes up and gets my note :>)

What you don’t know what EBS is, you say you have been living under a rock for the last month, check it our HERE