Do you need help with the Microsoft Windows Server Line of Products? Let RCS help you with your Microsoft Setup.
We have the capability to work on all Microsoft Server products, from 2003 to the most current:
- Windows Server 2003 (April 2003)
- Windows Server 2003 R2 (December 2005)
- Windows Server 2008 (February 2008)
- Windows Server 2008 R2 (October 2009)
- Windows Server 2012 (September 2012)
- Windows Server 2012 R2 (October 2013)
- Windows Server 2016 (September 2016)
- Windows Server 2019 (October 2018)
However; for new installations, we usually recommend Windows Essentials products, because of the high value:
Microsoft has changed the game for Small Business IT environments (for those with less than 25 users) with its line up of Essentials. Windows Server Essentials edition is a cloud-connected first server designed for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices. However, if you are considering installing any version of Windows Server Essentials, we would encourage you to consider Microsoft 365. For more information about moving beyond Windows Server Essentials to Microsoft 365.
New In Windows Server 2019 Essentials:
Windows Server Essentials Experience Role has been deprecated
The Windows Server Essentials Experience Role has been removed from all server SKUs, including Windows Server 2019 Essentials. This means that the Administrative Dashboard that used to be the core feature for Essentials Experience Role is no longer accessible and all management and configuration must be completed manually.
With Server Essentials Experience Role deprecation, the following features are no longer available:
- Client backup
- Remote web access
Microsoft 365 Business: The modern small business solution
Over the years since Windows Server 2016 Essentials was released, we have been working hard on the next solution for large and small businesses alike: Microsoft 365. We highly recommend Microsoft 365 for small business customers as a replacement for all versions of Windows Server Essentials. Microsoft 365 is a modern solution for file sharing and collaboration, and includes Office 365, Windows 10, and Enterprise Mobility + Security.
Evolve your business further with Microsoft 365 Business, which includes even more Office features, like e-mail and calendaring, file storage in the cloud, data protection, and more. Microsoft 365 Business will help your small business achieve new levels of productivity.
AAD Connect can now be installed on Windows Server 2019 Essentials
Windows Server 2019 Essentials includes new support for Azure Active Directory via AAD Connect.
LTSC support for Windows Server 2016 Essentials
Customers currently using Windows Server 2016 Essentials will be supported according to the Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) servicing time-line. For companies with more than 25 users/50 devices, or companies that have potentially grown beyond 25 users, Windows Server 2019 Standard – and potentially the Datacenter edition – can provide more flexible deployment options.
A few areas we can provide ongoing Server Essentials Support:
Consulting and Management:
In our consulting services, we can help advise businesses which hardware they need onsite, how to offload unnecessary hardware offsite, to cloud or hosted systems. Sometimes changes in line of business application will introduce a level of complexity where an experts’ help is needed to determine which systems should be use. We are happy to help in these scenarios.
Fully managed server support
Our fully managed server support is integrated into our managed services offerings. This option involves proactive round-the-clock server support, monitoring and includes the following:
- Memory usage
- CPU usage
- Backups
- Viruses
- Software updates
- Server events
- Hardware age
- General wear and tear
- Our fully managed server support is 24/7 based on a fixed monthly fee, providing your business the ultimate server security.