Microsoft announced “Windows Essential Business Server 2008 and Windows Small Business Server 2008” at their virtual launch event. Both of the new servers “EBS (codenamed “Centro”) and SBS (codenamed “Cougar”) are part of Microsoft’s Windows Essential Server Solutions (WESS) family.

With today’s WESS launch, Microsoft is trying to turn the tightening economy reason for not buying new software on its head. From today’s posting to the Windows Server team blog: “[…]we’ve designed the WESS products to be “all-in-one” solutions that address key customer pain points by taking the benefits of enterprise-class technology and making it accessible, affordable and less complex for SMBs (small/mid-size businesses).”

Microsoft also is offering potential customers “flexible payment terms” for the new products, running from between 24 to 60 months. A refresher on the two new SKUs: SBS is aimed at businesses with up to 75 PCs. EBS is designed for users with up to 300 PCs.

SBS comes in two editions (Standard and Premium). Products that are part of the SBS bundle include a mix of software and services: Windows Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007, SQL Server 2008, SharePoint Services 3.0, Forefont Security for Exchange Server, Windows Live OneCare for Server and Office Live Small Business.

EBS also is available in two different SKUs (Standard and Premium) and includes Windows Server 2008, System Center Essentials 2007, Exchange Server 2007, SQL Server 2008, Forefront Security for Exchange and Forefront Threat Management Gateway (medium business edition).

Source:→ ZDNet