Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials Could Be Your Small Business Saviour

Over in Berlin this week, you’ll find a host of IT Pros gathered together for Tech·Ed Europe. In amongst the keynotes and deep dives, Microsoft announced the forthcoming Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials, a super-easy storage and backup solution for small businesses with up to 25 users.

Coming from the same stable as the newly-announced Windows Home Server Codename “Vail” and Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials, the new platform is perfect for businesses already running on Windows Server, joining your Active Directory domain with ease to fully integrate into your existing network.

When in place, what will it do? Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials protects the clients and server on your network through:

• Server and PC backup, including file, folder and image based restore
• Centralized storage for file data and easier sharing
• Console driven administration for easier management
• Access to your data from virtually anywhere through Remote Web Access
• Network health monitoring for both Windows and Mac PC’s

It’s all managed with a simple dashboard that brings easy deployment and management of the Storage Server. Need to store and protect the data on your network with the ability to access it remotely over the web via PC and smartphone? Install, power on, quick configure and you’re set.

Keep an eye on the Windows Storage Server and Small Business Server blogs to find out more about Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials and expect to see pre-configured servers shipping with the platform in the first half of 2011.