Security Essentials - Business Usage

Microsoft does allow Security Essentials to be used in small businesses for up to ten machines (ex. Enterprise Edition) for free. After that number of installations the water becomes a little muddy, since Microsoft doesn't sell Security Essentials licences.

They do sell something called "Microsoft Forefront." The problem with Forefront is that it is like moving from a Ford Focus to a Abrams Tank. Even figuring out Microsoft's licensing structure is a full time job, or if certain Forefront products are designed for client anti-virus at all.

From our perspective here is how Microsoft's offerings currently work:
 * 1-10 users: Security Essentials
 * 11-200 users: Third Party Solution
 * 201+: Forefront [Open Select Licence CAL Endpoint Something Something?]

I understand why Forefront exists. I just don't understand why Microsoft is trying to force it down the throats of small and medium sized businesses. It is obviously a corporate product designed for a corporate culture.

Just to be very clear: I do NOT expect Microsoft to give Security Essentials away for free to businesses. But they could sell ten to twenty seats on *Amazon for a few dollars.

PS - I said on Amazon because Microsoft's licensing system is an absolute unholy nightmare of bullshit and obscurity.

We use Forefront on our systems. It doesn't have to be complex. We have it installed the same way we would have installed Security Essentials. Each machine stands alone with no central hub.

Which kind of Forefront product do you use? They seem to sell about two dozen.

My UCLA upgraded to MSE. But, school is probably an exception. MS is trying not to piss off their 3rd party partners, that's what I believe.

@ManipUni:I believe that "Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010" is the current app for this, and AFAIK replaces the earlier "Forefront Client Security".