Microsoft readies SMB Server 2003

Microsoft has begun distributing the Release Candidate version of its Windows Small Business Server 2003 operating system to technology providers and small businesses.

Available in two editions, Premium and Standard, the latest version of Windows Small Business Server, which is based on Windows Server 2003, will initially be shipped via 200,000 evaluation kits for testing, before Microsoft launches a worldwide partner training program for the platform.

The Standard Edition consists of Windows Server 2003 and Exchange Server 2003, while the Premium Edition adds Microsoft SQL Server 2000 together with Internet Security and Acceleration Server.

"We looked very carefully at the needs of small-business customers and their technology providers when we designed this release of Windows Small Business Server," said Bill Veghte, corporate vice president of the Windows Server Group at Microsoft.

"Windows Small Business Server 2003 delivers new opportunities for channel partners to profitably service an even larger spectrum of small-business customers."

The software giant claimed that Windows Small Business Server 2003 could be deployed more quickly than previous versions, boasting that it features a 15-minute out-of-the-box set-up.