"That said, competitively, Microsoft should watch IBM's small business server appliance package because:
* Office alternative Symphony is bundled along with Lotus Notes.
* IBM cut a virtualization deal with VMware—for businesses needing to run Windows applications.
* A single appliance can be provisioned up to 500 clients, whereas Microsoft's Small Business Server caps at 75 users and Essential Business Server at 300.
* The business model is more subscription-like, which should appeal to channel partners and customers, particularly in these times of economic uncertainty.
* IBM claims low-touch setup and supporting services (such as domain management and ISV software updates); the server software dials up every 12 hours for these."
