If you’re in charge of IT at a small business, you know that it can be challenging to get funding to replace your outdated hardware. In this article, we will help make it easier to justify your investment. You can show the management team how a new or updated server can pay back the investment quickly, and how soon the company will be reaping savings in increased productivity, enhanced security, and improved flexibility.

Just ask Lucas Mistelske, the IT manager at Epicurean Cutting Surfaces, a Michigan-based manufacturer of kitchen cutting boards. Epicurean had been running Windows Small Business Server 2003, augmented by a variety of third-party programs for backup and for virus and spam protection. Mistelske approached Dave Benson, the Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Epicurean, and suggested they move to Windows Small Business Server 2008.

With Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard Edition, Epicurean could eliminate some third-party software programs by taking advantage of improvements in security, reliability, and productivity. Their critical documents and files would be protected from accidental loss through enhanced backup and restore features. Employees who are away from the office would still have access to all their important documents and files via remote access, and Epicurean would get the latest versions of business-critical technologies.

Benson was convinced, and soon Epicurean was reaping the benefits of the upgrade. In the past, Mistelske had to bring down the servers each time he upgraded the third-party antivirus and backup programs. With Small Business Server 2008, this downtime has been eliminated, and the company more efficiently processes orders. Shipping and accounting got a productivity boost, too, because Epicurean’s shipping software performs better with Small Business Server 2008. And yet another benefit: Improved security and enhanced reliability. Thanks to the new management console in Windows Small Business Server 2008, Mistelske is alerted—by phone or e-mail—to any system problems, even software patches that are needed on individual PCs.

And Benson? He’s a big fan of the switch. "By using Windows Small Business Server 2008, we’ve eliminated a lot of wasted time. Having cutting-edge software allows us to operate leaner and compete better globally," notes the pleased CFO.

More and more businesses are realizing the benefits of adding a server or, like Epicurean, upgrading to a new server operating system. And they’re discovering that the Windows Server family offers the right server and at the right price – whatever the size and needs of their business. For many small businesses, Windows Small Business Server 2008 is a perfect fit. This all-in-one server suite accommodate up to 75 users and provides all the benefits of shared applications, files and devices, plus secure access to business contacts, shared calendars, e-mail, and other desktop resources from any internet-connected PC or smart phone. Small businesses with 15 or fewer PC users might want to consider Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation, which is a great choice for a first server. It will run all your critical business applications, provide employees with ready access to important documents and files, and enable them to share printers and other peripheral devices.

Is your company even bigger? Then Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard and Windows Essential Business Server 2008 are great options. The former is an advanced server operating system with built in virtualization capabilities—which means that one physical server can be turned into several “virtual” servers—at a big savings to you. Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard supports an unlimited number of users. If you want a server that consolidates existing standalone software into one integrated system, then Windows Essential Business Server 2008, which can support up to 300 users, is a great fit.

And if you’re considering upgrading your PCs to Windows 7, here’s another reason to think about adding or upgrading a server: The new Windows Servers take full advantage of features built into Windows 7. For example, Windows Server 2008 R2 works together with Windows 7 to provide DirectAccess, a feature that allows employees to connect remotely to company resources without the hassle of installing special software on their mobile computer and then suffering through the vagaries of establishing a “virtual private network” connection over the Internet. And the remote connection story gets even better: Thanks to a combination of features, users can securely access their office desktop remotely from any Windows 7 client, including public computers and Internet kiosks, so that the desktop on their mobile PC looks exactly like the one in the office—same icons, same Start menu items, and the same installed applications.

LAN Systems can help you select the Windows Server that is right for your business. And regardless of which member of the family you pick, you’ll get increased efficiency and security. You’ll rest easier knowing that sensitive documents are protected from prying eyes. Your employees will be able to collaborate more effectively, and working away from the office becomes infinitely easier. You and your employees will spend far less time managing your IT—and more time running your business. And isn’t that what you want?