SBS2011 or Server 2012 Essentials?

macally · 4 Jan 2013 at 14:40

Which would you choose?

Main advantage of SBS2011 is Integrated Exchange, but, I can get Server 2012 Essentials a lot cheaper than SBS2011.

Avathar77 · 4 Jan 2013 at 14:45

sbs2011 standard has Exchange, sbs2011 essential has not.

macally · 4 Jan 2013 at 15:03

Avathar77 said:
sbs2011 standard has Exchange, sbs2011 essential has not.

yeah I know but still would like opinions. As I said, I can get Server 2012 Essentials for a lot cheaper than SBS2011 (about 50% the price).

Are there any other email services simlar to Exchange that will do what exchange does?

#Chri5# · 4 Jan 2013 at 15:07

Plenty that can offer ActiveSync, Outlook integration etc...

Icewarp, mDaemon, Kerio Connect, Zimbra etc

Might also be worth looking at Office 365

macally · 4 Jan 2013 at 15:15

#Chri5# said:
Plenty that can offer ActiveSync, Outlook integration etc...

Icewarp, mDaemon, Kerio Connect, Zimbra etc

Might also be worth looking at Office 365

Thanks, I'll give them a look. Looked at mDaemon before but it's not cheap.

Trying to avoid Office 365 if I can.

leigh_boy · 4 Jan 2013 at 15:22

i would go with sbs 2011 on this but only if you know how to look after exchange.

macally · 4 Jan 2013 at 15:25

leigh_boy said:
i would go with sbs 2011 on this but only if you know how to look after exchange.

Thanks - what do you mean by 'if you know how to look after exchange'? Exchange in SBS2011 is quite easy using the exchange management console - I've never set it up from scratch but use it at work.

nightmare99 · 4 Jan 2013 at 19:47

Thanks - what do you mean by 'if you know how to look after exchange'? Exchange in SBS2011 is quite easy using the exchange management console - I've never set it up from scratch but use it at work.

Bear in mind there is no real forward upgrade path for SBS apart from going to a separate server running a full blown exchange version.

Trying to avoid Office 365 if I can.

Any reason why? MS are really pushing Server 2012 essentials + Office 365 as their small business solution. Office 365 hosted exchange is only £2.60 per user + vat.

leigh_boy · 4 Jan 2013 at 21:42

macally said:
Thanks - what do you mean by 'if you know how to look after exchange'? Exchange in SBS2011 is quite easy using the exchange management console - I've never set it up from scratch but use it at work.

with exchange you need to check and deleted the log files, if the store dis mounts you need to know how to remount it, you will need to set up outlook web acess no doubt, keep an eye on the store size. back exchange up

RimBlock · 7 Jan 2013 at 03:54

macally said:
Which would you choose?

Main advantage of SBS2011 is Integrated Exchange, but, I can get Server 2012 Essentials a lot cheaper than SBS2011.

Horses for courses... which course do you have ?.

If you require Exchange, Sharepoint Foundation, remote access all controlled via a simple gui then SBS 2011 Standard is probably the best.

If you just need a server without the extras and want the latest tech then Server 2012 Essentials may be a better bet.

If you are asking form an educational point of view then SBS 2011 has more market penetration currently and you can get to learn Exchange etc as well but Server 2012 is the new kid so by the time you have learnt it well it may well be more mainstream.

I run SBS 2011 personally.

RB