Servers Foster a Culture of Collaboration

Author: Mark Kornegay

May 2009

In order to effectively communicate with people, you wouldn’t use tin cans and a string instead of a mobile phone – would you?  Is your business operating with virtual tin cans?  Employees can collaborate when a business creates a work environment that fosters open, efficient communication.  An open and connected workplace will help increase productivity and, in turn, support the success of your business.  One technology used to create a culture of collaboration is a server.

A business server is vital.  It stores all company files in one central location and keeps that information available to those who need it. Without a server, employees may have to track down the person who has the information they need and save it to a flash drive or send it in an e-mail.  If the employee who has that information is unavailable, on vacation, or is no longer with the company, the rest of the project will likely be stalled until that information is available. Servers eliminate this problem by storing essential business information in one accessible location. They can also help enable remote access to business files from anywhere, so your team can work from home or when travelling.

As a member of the IT department, with the addition of collaboration technology, you may begin to be more concerned about security.  In an effort to correct that concern, many new servers contain advanced security features which will put your IT department’s mind at ease.  For example, Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) 2008 gives you a consolidated view on the state of your security across your infrastructure so you can proactively manage and address concerns. Premium anti-spam and anti-virus engines help protect you from threats. All events are logged to a separate database for reporting and monitoring. EBS 2008 simplifies security patching by giving you control over desktop, server and application patch levels.

The key for any business is choosing the right server – one that will increase efficiency today, yet grow with the business as it expands.  The good news is that today’s server packages are much easier to install than prior generations, though businesses can still hire a certified systems partner to get a new server environment up and running. A server expert can help design the right solution that meets your current business requirements and scales as you grow.

A business can make meaningful gains with simple technology solutions. A significant gain is empowering employees with an open and collaborative environment to produce results. Start by implementing simple technologies like servers to accelerate and streamline employee interaction that will provide any company with an edge.

About the Author: Mark Kornegay is the Central Region Manager for Managed Partners in Microsoft’s Small and Mid-market Solutions and Partners (SMS&P) group.  For more information, please visit www.microsoft.com/midsizebusiness.