Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Delivers New Business Opportunities for Industry Partners

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 9, 2003 — Today at the Microsoft Corp. Worldwide Partner Conference 2003, the company announced the worldwide availability of Windows®
Small Business Server 2003 to channel partners including value-added resellers (VARs), value-added providers (VAPs), system builders, system integrators (SIs), consultants and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Currently supported by more than 20,000 technology providers worldwide, Windows Small Business Server 2003 delivers an integrated product that enables partners to appeal to a larger number of small-business customers, which in turn expands their market opportunity up to three times. As a result of innovation delivered in the product, Microsoft partners can now build and deploy systems 90 percent faster with Windows Small Business Server 2003. The integration and simplicity built into the product frees up time and resources for partners to focus on value-added services, offer additional products and improve support for their customers.

“Microsoft has a longstanding, unwavering commitment to its partners, and that commitment continues with the launch of Windows Small Business Server 2003,” said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft. “We are very excited about the great opportunities that Windows Small Business Server 2003 offers. Our partners can confidently offer an integrated product that maximizes simplicity and efficiency and enables them to meet the specific needs of small companies.”

Appealing to Three Times as Many Customers

Windows Small Business Server 2003 delivers an integrated product that enables partners to serve a larger number of small-business customers, which in turn expands their market opportunity up to three times. This integration appeals to a larger segment of small businesses through delivery of new levels in simplicity, breaking down barriers of adoption and making the value of technology accessible to the masses.

Building and Deploying Systems 90 Percent Faster

System builders and OEMs can preinstall Windows Small Business Server 2003 in a streamlined fashion on multiple computers. In addition, the setup time of Windows Small Business Server is significantly reduced, enabling partners to save their customers time and lost productivity on implementation.

Offering More Services and Providing Better Support to Customers

The integration and simplicity built into the product frees up time and resources for partners to focus on value-added services, offer additional products and improve support for their customers. For example, with innovations such as Remote Web Workplace, Windows SharePoint (TM) Services and monitoring reports, technology providers can efficiently deliver higher-value services and greater customer satisfaction to their cost-conscious customers.

Achieving Long-Term Success

Microsoft understands that resources such as training and sales tools are essential to helping partners expand their businesses, achieve long-term success and provide their customers with comprehensive solutions that solve critical business problems. To support this, Microsoft is delivering comprehensive programs and an unprecedented number of resources for Windows Small Business Server 2003 partners leading up to and beyond launch. As a result, more than 500,000 evaluation kits have been shipped to partners and customers around the world — approximately seven times more than with previous versions. Over the next nine months, there will be an additional 20,000 trained partners ready to market and administer products and services based on Windows Small Business Server 2003.

“With the new pricing, expanded feature list, increased ease of use and more in Windows Small Business Server 2003, I’m looking at a very strong sales year,” said Roger Otterson of Qualitec in San Diego. “This new version will give my clients the unique team and customer connectivity tools they need. I see SMB customers quickly recognizing SBS 2003 as a ‘must-have tool’ for their employees to work, communicate and produce as smart as or even smarter than the ‘big guys.'”

Additional programs and resources tailored for Windows Small Business Server 2003 have been designed and implemented to increase worldwide partner readiness, profitability and satisfaction levels. These include the following:

  • Windows Small Business Server 2003 Partner Guide

  • Hands-on labs specifically tailored for Windows Small Business Server 2003 Microsoft Official Curriculum Course (MOC) No. 2395, titled “Designing, Deploying and Managing a Network Solution for the Small- and Medium-Sized Business”

  • OEM Preinstallation tools and training

  • MCP certification exam as part of a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) designation

  • Windows Small Business Server 2003 intensive training for channel partners in 25 cities across the United States

About Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference

Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference combines the best elements of two previous events — Fusion, for Microsoft partners, and Stampede, for Microsoft Business Solutions partners — to provide even more valuable and informative learning opportunities in leadership, sales, marketing, services and technology. More information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/partner/events/wwpartnerconference/.

About Windows Small Business Server 2003

A member of the Microsoft®
Windows Server (TM) family, Windows Small Business Server 2003 is the fourth-generation release tailored specifically to the needs of small businesses. Whether it is the only server or the center of a multiserver network, Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 is the simplest way for small businesses to get the power of Microsoft Windows Server 2003, and Microsoft server-based solutions for e-mail, fax, database and security technologies to help protect shared Internet access — all as one integrated solution with unified setup and centralized management. More information on Windows Small Business Server 2003 can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft, Windows, SharePoint and Windows Server are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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