SBS08 replacement options

[TAPtech]

Hi guys,

I need to whip up a quote for a client. They have an old Dell T300, not very well spec'd either. Here's what they have going on:
-AD
-250GB file share
-SQL Express database for LOB app
-Exchange 2007 is being used, with 17 mailboxes

Planning to replace with a Dell T330 or Lenovo TD350, 6c Xeon, 32GB RAM, two RAID1 volumes. I'm thinking Server Essentials would be a good fit. Would like to get their workstation backups centralized.

I know I'm going to get push-back on going to O365 as this client is extremely anti-subscription. This is that same problem client I've complained about on here a few times They use Outlook on their workstations, but don't really take advantage of the Exchange features. They're mainly just using email. Of the 17 accounts, two of them have phones hooked up. They basically do their business during regular working hours, and onsite only.

As they despise subscriptions so much, I'll give them an option for O365 pre-paid for a year in advance, as well as setting up an onsite Exchange Server. I have a web server that runs whm and exim... I'm wondering if this might be something to pitch. Maybe an onsite email server that isn't Exchange. Any thoughts about that?

Knowing this client... I'm really sending this quote to get butt covered. I really doubt they will spend the money, but I need to be able to say "I tried" when this T300 pukes and everything goes down.

*forgot to add: their internet pipe is 50/3 and that's the best that is available. I'm a bit hesitant with O365 for that reason as they send a lot of interoffice emails with attachments. Not that big of an issue but something to chew on.

 

[freedomit]

Another option might be Kerio although I would push O365 hard

 

[cyabro]

Another reason to replace sbs08 is that all support for it ends in January 2017 so no more security updates etc after that.
If you do pitch on prem exchange that will need to be on a second server as you really shouldn't run it on the DC.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Well, Microsoft forced our hand with the migration path being Essentials Server, and Office 365.

I know you said the client hates the idea of subscriptions...so you cover your butt by quoting a local Exchange server. That sticker shock (including maintenance and backup overhead and additional server horsepower) should definitely have them embracing even the O365 E5 plan as a bargain at $35 bucks/month per user.

Client doesn't use Exchange features much? Spell out the ease of use, the east of setup of computers and devices, the uniformity of how e-mail and data looks from all devices on O365, the Outlook client for smart phones, the ability to install Office on 5x computers per user (covering home computers, 2ndary computers of users like a laptop). And spell out how some quirky 3rd party e-mail services result in poor experiences, (look at imap and Outlook issue), difficult in setting up smart phones, stuff like that. They pay you all that extra to try to massage out those issues, where's the savings?

 

[TAPtech]

Pretty much sums up my current plan. Pitch two options: Exchange on site for sticker shock, and O365 as the clear winner alternative. Although none of my O365 peddling sales mojo works on these guys, I've tried!

Usually I'm not bothered by MS ditching SBS. This is my only client that is really the perfect use-case for it. When I look at the cost alternatives, SBS just really nails it for these guys. Oh well, it's gone!

I guess I'm really wondering if anyone has success with onsite email servers. I know Synology has a mail server, but have not played with it. I feel like I'll need to be able to pitch that as a third option.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I have not done open source versions of SBS for clients, only for myself years ago when I was constantly dorking with various *nix distros
You can always start going to the dark side and pimping something like ClearOS.
https://www.clearos.com/

...or Zentyal
http://www.zentyal.org/server/

ClearOS was dang slick.