If your business has grown to the point that you have some of the following needs, you might consider adding server technology:
- Two or more computers you need to connect
- Equipment and resources you need to access from each computer (like Internet and printers)
- Information that you need to store in one place so that each computer can access it (like a customer list)
- Information that you need to back up (like transaction details)
- Group meetings that you need to schedule among multiple employees
- Your own Web site and e-mail system
- Employees on-the-go needing secure access to e-mail updates as they happen, as well as wireless calendar and contacts synchronization
Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008 was designed just for small businesses, and can help accommodate all of your business needs.
A server creates a network in the same way that a network router does, but it can also add additional functionality, like an e-mail system, Web site hosting, document and information storage, back up and restoration, networking for printers or faxes, and secure wireless synchronization with your Windows Mobile-powered device. If you’re ready to add a server to your business, it is a good idea to work with an IT professional who can help to make sure that you purchase the right equipment for your business’s needs, and who can install and configure it for you.