This was an existing Client we had supported for around 5 years.

Client had a 3 to 4 year old Dell Server. It was a good specification with Mirrored Drives, a backup Device, and running Windows Small Business Server 2000.

The Client PCs had all been slowly updated to XP machines with a minimum of 512Mb Ram.

Various programs were shared through the Server including Sage and ACT! Microsoft Exchange controlled the E-Mails.

Things were running smoothly although the Backup was beginning to go over 2 tapes and disk space on the Server was becoming an issue. ACT! was beginning to struggle and the client wanted to run the latest version of Sage Accounting Software.

We ran through the various options which included adding additional Disk space to the Server and purchasing a new larger capacity external Backup Unit. However, there was also an issue of a growing need for Users to be able to login remotely and run both ACT! and Sage, as well as viewing their emails and possibly checking Word and Excel Documents.

Although Terminal Server had been enabled on the existing Server it was for limited use and slowed the Server down.

There was an option to add a low spec Server into the Network which would be used for remote Access.

However once the prices were gathered it became apparent that to purchase the new Backup Device, the additional SCSI Hard Disks and a Server dedicated to Terminal Server the costs were very similar to replacing the Old Server with a new Powerful Server loaded with Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 and utilising the Old Server as the Remote Terminal Server.

It was this option the Client decided on in the end.

The majority of work was done out of office hours. All data, emails, programs etc were transferred to the New Server. Users were recreated and their workstations set to run with the new server and access the new version of Exchange.

On their return the users then tested all their various programs and ensured all the data had been brought across. Once all this was verified the Old Server was reformatted and reloaded with Server 2000 (using the original Small Business Server Disks). This server was then configured to act as a Terminal Server loaded with all the relevant client software.

Although the initial prospect of having to purchase a new Server seemed expensive, once the cost comparisons had been done and with the Old Server being utilised, the Client ended up with a much faster and more secure system than he would have had, had he just purchased the items necessary to keep the Old Server running.