Now, that is perhaps a too simplistic of an answer to the dog and pony powerpoint show that will ensue..

But look at it this way people, there are more blogs excited about Windows XP SP3 RC0 than there are about the launch of Windows Server 2008.

Likewise, the SMB segment of resellers is so disaffected at this point with the Vista and Office that they are just looking at this like a Microsoft offer that they will do their best with. We’ll sell whatever Microsoft makes. We’ll sell whatever fits the customer. If its 2008, its 2008, if its SBS, its SBS. Life goes on.

Who loses here? Microsoft.

Because it is losing fans that pushed SBS in and gave Microsoft a platform. Windows without the SBS platform makes a company more open to other technologies. There is no longer “we have thousands invested in Microsoft” so the third party or appliance based server that doesn’t use Windows or SQL or Exchange suddenly seems like not-so-distant substitute.

-Vlad

HALMARK

You’re evil… And I dig that about you!

/HALMARK

If there’s a line between competing and emulating then Microsoft is about to cross it. The new SBS seems like a race to the bottom. Where’s the good idea in “let’s see if we can make our product more like those with less market share”?