I don't need a Server

I can't even start to list the number of times I've heard that line and I've tried all the sales pitches that Microsoft has out there but your not going to convince the business owner who has already made up their mind.

In my book anyone with two or more users needs to think long and hard about getting a server or at the very least take a look at hosted services especially those one man shops. From my own server use in our business let's take a look at a few of the items we really couldn't live without anymore:

• Shared, central storage location. In our case SharePoint has taken over the task of holding all our customer info, invoices, help and support documents and vendor info. With remote access from anywhere I can get an internet connection I can pull up nearly anything about my business I might need to know.
• Remote email access. Outlook Web Access, Outlook Mobil Access, Outlook remote via HTTP/RPC and of course Outlook sync to a PocketPC or Smartphone (now with push tech). I can't say enough about how many bonus points it scores with customers to be able to email them from anywhere, anytime.
• Remote access to my desktop. Although you can do it without a server I have found most of my customers once they use Remote Web Workplace (RDP in a SBS world) there is no going back. This is the one of the "after install" selling points that users just go nuts over. Imagine sitting at home in your shorts having that morning coffee while you take care of the morning emails, printing out a half dozen documents you will need at the office - at the office computer, pull together the other documents you will need for the 11AM meeting all before you leave the house.

Now of course there is the entire list of selling points Microsoft will throw out there and I agree they are all very powerful but those three points above is what my customers have found they can no longer do without and have no clue how they were doing without before. Add in other Exchange features, ISA, cool tools like DFS, NTBackup, Group Policy, and the list goes on and on and just how can you run a business without a server?

For those one man shops Exchange and Server hosting is a great concept. All the perks of owning your own server without the upfront cost, tech support and so on. For a basic monthly fee you get remote email, remote access to your files and probably the best idea for the one man shop - BACKUPS!

So if you think you don't need a server I will ask you just one question, how can you not?