Small Business Server Setup

Small Business Server Setup

There are many scenarios under which small business owners or officers of non-profit organizations ask themselves: “Do I need a server?” We typically observe these types of Small Business Server installations:

• A start-up firm needs to build a server to set up a server network
• An organization outgrew its peer-to-peer network and decided to upgrade to a server network
• Current server configuration needs a change to expand functionality (e.g., a Server OS upgrade)
• A previously installed SBS is approaching end of life and it's time for migration

Choosing the Right Solution

SBS setup always starts with picking a Server OS and outlining the future server configuration. Solutions vary in technology, performance, and price. For example, if you need an affordable IT solution for basic file sharing among Macintosh computers with in-house email, Omega would offer a Linux server running Samba for file sharing and Sendmail + IMAP/POP for email. The advantage is zero OS cost; the drawback is more complex administration.

As appetite for more robust IT solutions grows, many clients choose to migrate to Microsoft's platform (SBS armed with a powerful Exchange server), while others outsource tasks to online solutions like Gmail or Google Apps. The choice is often dictated by specialty applications such as PC-LAW, Time Slips, SoftPro, Sage, QuickBooks, or Peachtree.

Consulting Phase

All aspects mentioned above are addressed during the consulting phase of Omega's business model. Our consultants also introduce other IT solutions that might expand the use of servers, including:

• Small Business Server Firewall
• Small Business Server VPN
• Small Business Server Remote Desktop

From Planning to Deployment

Omega's experts present clients with options for hardware and software vendors. We prefer local partners for accessibility and responsiveness, while also exploring competitive pricing from major vendors. We present a written proposal that typically incorporates a budget project estimate and a high-end one.

From there, the client reviews the proposal, a decision is made regarding server configuration, and a suitable date is chosen to minimize impact on daily operations.