Windows Server 2012 comes in four versions, so there is a WS 2012 for any size of network. By designing versions with different features and prices, Microsoft created Windows Server 2012 to be scalable to meet the needs of just about any client, from individuals and small enterprises to corporations and multinational companies.
MS Server 2012: Designed for Scalability
The versions of MS Server 2012 were carefully analyzed before being established. Each one of them is designed for a category of clients, but as companies grow and increase their activity all the time, it is important for the packages to be easily updated or downgraded. Another important matter is support, and you can have it directly from the Microsoft representatives, or of course your IT outsourcing company that helps you manage your day-to-day operations.
Midsize businesses, especially, face networking challenges that create unnecessary costs due to under-utilization of servers, IT maintenance, and data security. By answering a few questions, IT professionals can begin to identify the correct IT strategy for their company.
- How many of your servers are under-capacity while others are over utilized?
- How much does an hour of server down-time cost your business?
- How do you protect sensitive information and restrict data access?
- How many of your servers still run on legacy platforms?
- Have you thought about what cloud technology could do for your business?
Deploying the right IT strategy can help reduce operational costs and improve the effectiveness of your staff, leading to valuable time savings. By leveraging the latest server technology innovations in Windows Server 2012, you can simplify your IT, help drive efficiency, and reduce costs.
MS Server 2012 Packages
The Microsoft server 2012 versions are:
- Datacenter – A highly virtualized, protected and hybrid environment based on cloud computing. It contains all the features of the program, with license for the Processor + CAL. It has unlimited virtual access, and it can accommodate practically thousands of computers, with a guarantee that the server will never be offline. This is the most expensive of MS Server 2012 packages, but it also delivers the greatest value for large corporations.
- Standard – This is a virtualized environment of no density, although it is possible to use it with no virtualization at all. It has two different instances, and the full functionalities of a server. Ideal for medium enterprises, especially because it has an accessible price.
- Essential – The smallest package designed for small enterprises, but also for individuals that need networking features. It will run on servers with up to two processors. The advantage of it is that it has a simple interface, so besides installation, you won’t need support from specialized companies, as you could easily manage the server with minimum IT expertise. It is based on cloud solutions, but it is pre-customized and configured. It can’t be virtualized, and it has a limit of 25 accounts.
- Foundation – The smallest version of MS Server 2012, which is practically a general server with normal features and options. It is limited to 15 stations, running on single processor servers, and it is based on OEM.
The Windows Server 2012 versions can be updated anytime, which is very important especially for growing companies. The Standard package has about all the features and scalability of the Datacenter, with the difference that it can accommodate a reduced number of computers.
For the Datacenter, you will need at least two computers with 1-CPU licenses and with unlimited VOSE access. In other words, the program is simpler compared with the 2008 version, accessible for a larger number of clients, and also easy to manage even by users with no prior IT server expertise and networking courses.