IBM to Microsoft: It’s Small Biz Server War

“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.”

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