Small Business Server vs Linux and Novell

Microsoft vs Linux

Thousands of compatible applications: Since Small Business Server 2000 includes the mature, multipurpose Windows 2000 Server operating system, plus SQL Server 2000 and Exchange 2000 Server, there are thousands of compatible business applications available to run on top of Small Business Server 2000. Even offerings with the backing of companies such as IBM will still struggle versus Windows® in terms of application choices available to run on them.

Better integration and ease-of-use; stronger long-term buy: While the software for Linux is practically free, implementation of Linux software is far from free, since a rollout will take up substantial developer and administrator time due to the lack of complete programmer toolkits and consistent standards for things like object-technologies. As where Small Business Server 2000 delivers full-featured functionality and better ease-of-use for both customers and technology providers right out of the box. Plus, all of the applications delivered in Small Business Server 2000 are integrated to enable a unified setup that’s efficient and predictable, as well as centralized management capabilities. The familiar Windows user interface further contributes to the ease of installation and management of the server.

Popular, reliable platform; less risk: Linux is an open source operating system with limited company-based support. The open source nature of the product requires that many Linux deployments are somewhat unique and custom-built as various solution pieces are pulled together. As such, a small business customer becomes highly reliant on the technology provider who designs and implements their Linux-based network. If that technology provider is not available to continue to provide support…there is not likely to be another provider who can easily step in and have the knowledge/expertise to take over support of that custom-built network.

Greater depth of channel support: Building upon the bullet above…since Small Business Server 2000 is built around the popular Windows 2000 Server operating system, there are many thousands of certified technology consultants who have the skills/expertise to implement and maintain a Small Business Server network. Since Linux is still an immature and fragmented market with limited company-based support, it lacks the same depth of channel expertise. This can make it difficult for small business customers to find qualified technology providers who can support Linux-based systems, and also makes it problematical for technology providers to find qualified employees with Linux expertise.

Keeps pace with new technology: The open source nature of Linux means that they lack a centralized strategy for keeping pace with emerging technologies and hardware. This means that they are typically much slower than Microsoft and Microsoft partners to consistently deliver the tools needed to stay current with new hardware requirements or new technologies.

Microsoft vs Novell

Better integration, ease-of-use: Microsoft® Small Business Server 2000 offers an integrated solution with a single, unified setup and centralized management. Novell’s Small Business Suite 5.0 lacks such integration and requires you to setup and configure multiple applications separately. Plus, Novell’s setup requires two systems to install – the server and the “administrator’s workstation”. Out of the box, the user must manually install most of the client applications in the Novell suite (Web browser, modem sharing, fax) – not so with Small Business Server 2000.

Greater channel depth; stronger long term buy: With more than a quarter of a million Microsoft customers and industry partners worldwide trained on Windows 2000 Server (and that number continues to grow), small business customers can rest assured that they will always have readily available access to technology support, no matter where they are, for their Small Business Server network.

More desirable e-mail client: The GroupWise email and scheduling client in Novell’s Small Business Suite, which is what small business customers will use on a daily basis, has an archaic interface and lacks some basic email and scheduling ease-of-use features compared to the robust Outlook client that ships with Microsoft® Small Business Server 2000. While you can now use the Outlook client with GroupWise, it is not included with the Novell offering and requires a separate purchase (as where it is included in the Small Business Server 2000 box), plus, it is difficult and cumbersome to configure GroupWise to use the non-native Outlook client.