Case Studies for Windows Small Business Server 2003

The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee ensures that Super Bowl host city Glendale, Arizona, meets National Football League (NFL) contractual commitments. Committee members, who travel often and use e-mail to share information, needed a centralized IT infrastructure with better remote access. The committee implemented a solution based on Windows® Small Business Server 2003 R2 and a Dell PowerEdge™ server that has helped boost productivity and save time.
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Seattle, Washington−based Axiom Constructors was dependent on its parent company, IMCO General Construction, for hosted business applications and e-mail services. In May 2006, IMCO deployed Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2003 R2 for Axiom on its own network. Now, Axiom employees have network connectivity anytime and anywhere, downtime is reduced, and the IT manager is saving 60 percent of time previously spent on system management tasks.
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With nearly 30 years’ experience in supplying floor coverings and countertops for Portland, Oregon, residents, Classique Floors knows a lot about helping customers choose the right flooring for their remodeling projects. With the help of Microsoft® Small Business Specialist Mt. Hood Computer Services, Classique Floors is enhancing its customer service and internal operations efficiency by deploying Microsoft Windows® Small Business Server 2003 R2 and HP Tablet PCs. This gives Classique Floors a cost-effective network solution complete with e-mail, scheduling, shared files and calendars, network security capabilities, and virus protection features, in one affordable package. Early indications are that this solution will enable Classique Floors to deliver better customer service, shorten its sales cycle, expand its workspace without adding office space, and increase productivity.
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Most traditional medical practices suffer from a common malady: a paper-based documentation and communication infrastructure that breeds inefficiencies. Despite the best efforts of caregivers, a paper-bound practice can severely limit dedicated patient time. The ability to efficiently retrieve information from this volume of paperwork is a significant challenge as well. Opening a new children's medical office in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, the founders of Advanced Pediatrics had an opportunity to use technology to manage costs and increase overall efficiency. The approach gave doctors the freedom to care for patients in a more comprehensive way. The end result not only saved money but also reduced the stress level for the staff and enabled the entire practice to revolve around delivering the highest quality healthcare—and caring—possible for the patient.
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When new owners took over the reins at Atom Jet Industries, they realized that they needed to update the company's IT systems in order to remain competitive, increase productivity, and minimize operating costs. Atom Jet had no reliable e-mail communication, Internet security standards, or working virus control. System downtime was commonplace, and the company's workforce productivity was severely limited. Atom Jet worked with local partner CFive Ltd. to integrate a solution based on Microsoft Windows Server System and a workstation upgrade to the Microsoft Windows XP Professional operating system and Microsoft Office XP Professional Edition. This increased productivity and helped the company double its sales without a corresponding increase in employees. Atom Jet now spends only five hours per month on overall IT administration, instead of a previous 30 hours per month.
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Aurora First Assembly Church migrated its Linux- and Novell-based client-server network to one based on Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 when a hacker attack, unauthorized access to church files, and numerous service interruptions made it clear that the mixed IT infrastructure had reached the end of its useful life.
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By deploying Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 at his Tacoma, WA, law firm attorney, Charles Granoski, now operates his practice more efficiently and is in the process of fulfilling a goal of living and practicing law part of the year in Mexico. The Windows Small Business Server 2003 solution provided Mr. Granoski and his support staff with secure access to files and e-mail, more efficient, error-free scheduling, and efficient conversion of paper documents into digital files, which helped to increase productivity and lower operational costs.
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When the Brooklyn Brewery began making beer in New York City, it not only produced its own brewery brand but also served as a distributor for several other local and national brands. When the brand became strong enough financially, the brewery sold its distribution division to focus on brewing. With sales of its own product now the focus, the brewery discovered it lacked the technology to support its expanding mobile sales force. To be successful, the brewery needed a remote access solution. In collaboration with Quality Technology Solutions, the brewery migrated from its aging Novell network to Windows Small Business Server 2003. The successful migration improved remote access, helped increase sales representatives' productivity by 10 percent, and helped the brewery keep a low number of administrative employees while adding salespeople to the field.
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At C&S Sales, order processing had grown inefficient, particularly between outside sales and inside customer support representatives. The company knew that it needed to move the responsibility for initial order entry directly to the point of the sale—the outside salesperson—and seamlessly connect all support personnel to the same order information, 24 hours a day. Using Windows Small Business Server 2003 and Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003, the company created a single order form that is used by all sales staff and that the outside sales team accesses through a shared site. The impact on the company has been significant: C&S Sales estimates that the new order-processing solution will increase annual sales by U.S. $1.5 million.
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Every autumn, when the almonds are ready to be harvested and processed, the Assali family, owners and operators of California Grown Nut Company, gear up for another season of 24-hour work days that culminate in the annual income for their family and their contract growers. Working smarter, not harder and responding more effectively to customer needs has kept this family business successful for nearly 40 years. Now, with Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, they can communicate more effectively with their customers, coordinate in-bound and out-bound schedules with greater accuracy and efficiency, and keep all of their business information in a single document management repository with the assurance that it is safe, secure, and available whenever they need it.
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Over the last two years, Carolina’s Choice by Williams, Inc., has been challenged to keep the cost of goods under control as the price of raw materials fluctuated wildly. Capturing, changing, and communicating the new cost information to its sales channel needed to happen more rapidly. With the help of its IT partner Harrison Technology Consulting, Carolina’s Choice created a more flexible and powerful network infrastructure, a single-entry cost management system, and new communication and collaboration tools that dramatically affect how both the internal staff and the company’s sales channel respond to changing costs.
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Relatively new to the world of computer technology, CCM Homes used 14 stand–alone computers to run its homebuilding operations. These computers helped streamline many of the company's business processes, but they ran on a variety of software and PC configurations, which made sharing data difficult. Additionally, the lack of centralized data caused issues with version control that impacted the company's ability to accurately price its finished homes. To rectify the situation, CCM Homes worked with Partner 1iX to deploy Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition, Microsoft Office XP Professional Edition, and Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003. As a result of implementing this solution, CCM Homes expects to save more than $100,000 U.S. each year.
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Chess Financial Corporation provides comprehensive financial counseling, tax planning and compliance, and investment management for its high-net-worth clients. Over the years, Chess had recorded client information in a variety of ways, which resulted in pockets of information that were not easily shared between departments. To create tax, investment, and financial reports, employees needed to print out and review volumes of client-related information. The company needed a new way to manage client information and update network security. Using Windows Small Business Server 2003 (which includes Microsoft Windows SharePoint™ Services), Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003, and Microsoft InfoPath™ 2003, Ross-Tek, the company's IT expert, created a solution that is expected to save Chess over U.S. $750,000 per year.
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By upgrading to Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 from its previous client-server system, accounting firm Curzon, Cumbey & Kunkel, PLLC fine-tuned its IT system, and expects to gain greater operational efficiency and forge stronger client relationships. Remote Web Workplace provides secure, business-critical connectivity from remote locations including client offices. The group scheduling capabilities of Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 technology promotes individual and group productivity. The speed and security of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 technology will help the firm use specialized tax-related business application more efficiently, process tax returns more rapidly, and spend more time with their clients. The firm expects that these benefits will have a positive effect on its 20 percent growth projection.
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Looking for new ways to strengthen long-term customer relationships, increase productivity, and improve profitability, East Industries saw a wide range of opportunities in upgrading to Windows Small Business Server 2003. By using Windows SharePoint Services, new in Windows Small Business Server 2003, they established an extranet to improve client services and strengthened those relationships. With improved security, better performance, simplified management, and increased functionality, East Industries was able to increase productivity. Using the improved collaboration tools in Windows Small Business Server and new functionality in Microsoft Office 2003 to build a new inventory management and reporting structure, East industries improved profitability by an estimated 10 to 15 percent.
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As a rapidly growing small business, EuroStar has out-performed even its owners’ expectations. As the company grows, however, EuroStar’s owners spend more time on the road visiting customers and need access to business-critical data and communications. Upgrading to Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 provides EuroStar with a business solution that meets its new communication, collaboration, and customer management requirements and provides the remote e-mail and management capabilities that ensure that the owners know what is going on, even while they are out of the office. EuroStar expects to grow its business an estimated 15 to 20 percent during the next year by working smarter with the robust functionality of Windows Small Business Server 2003.
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As a minor league hockey team kicking off its inaugural season, the Everett Silvertips needed a complete, stable, and secure IT solution that could run their business-critical line of business application and their back-office operations.
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Dr. Sumathy Pathy, having just completed her final year of residency, wanted to build a paperless medical practice that would take advantage of recent technological innovations to be more efficient and spend more time with patients. Dr. Pathy needed a solution that would help her minimize expenses and work efficiently with a small staff. After evaluating several options, she deployed a mobile computing solution, with Windows Small Business Server 2003 as its foundation. Wireless devices-including a laptop computer, a Tablet PC, and a Samsung i700 Pocket PC Phone Edition-also play a key role in the solution. These tools, along with electronic medical records and other software programs, have helped Dr. Pathy streamline processes and provide care to more patients. Additionally, the solution saves her practice more than $70,000 U.S. per year.
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The Fischer Group's document-handling procedures had grown inefficient and time consuming. To answer customer questions, outside salespeople depended on the inside sales team to physically locate a customer file folder. The result was slow response times and an information bottleneck. Using Windows Small Business Server 2003 and Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003, the company and its IT partner, Integrated Systems Solutions, were able to create a shared document workspace and overhaul the way in which it communicates and handles documents, internally and externally. The company estimates an increase in overall productivity of at least 5 percent, which could mean a savings of up to U.S. $315,000 per year.
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Frazer, Ryan, Goldberg, Arnold & Gittler is a small, successful law firm that wanted to become even more successful. To keep its professionals productive away from the office and tame its growing jungle of digital documents, the firm installed a solution based on Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003. Now, employees have access to their e-mail, desktops, and new intranet-based shared team workspaces from anywhere, enabling $300,000 additional billings in the U.S. Their technology provider manages the server and desktop PCs remotely, yielding yet another $72,000 in reduced costs and increased billable time, while integrated communications frees another $120,000. In addition to higher billings, the increased productivity contributes to greater client satisfaction.
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With 70 percent market share, Game Face is one of the leading sales training organizations in the professional sports world. The company is looking to position itself for future growth with better communications and collaboration throughout its three sales offices. However, it was effectively blocked because of limited communication capabilities and a peer-to-peer network. Sharing and managing information was time-consuming and difficult. With the help of Windows Small Business Server 2003 and Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003, the company completely revamped its network infrastructure, solved its communications and collaboration problems, and estimates that the overall impact may increase sales by U.S. $650,000 over the next 12 months.
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Like all traditional hardware suppliers, Hanneke Industrial Supply faces a competitive challenge from the large nationwide retailers. To survive and thrive, Hanneke stocks more than 40,000 separate products and uses the Internet to access 20,000 more. In the early 2000s, however, this became a challenge, because the firm's computing environment couldn't keep up. Different software versions on desktops made file sharing difficult, and a lack of centralized server tools posed obstacles to efficient management and administration. Moreover, performance and stability became problematic as computing needs outpaced hardware capacity. Working with J&B Technologies, a Microsoft Certified Partner and Intel reseller, Hanneke upgraded its systems to include Intel Pentium 4 processors at the desktop and a server based on dual Intel Xeon processors running Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003.

Heartland Technology Solutions (HTS), a Microsoft Certified Partner, specializes in providing IT solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. HTS customers have relatively small budgets and little or no IT staff, so they need a solution that is affordable, simple to install and manage, and yet provides full functionality including file sharing, printing, e-mail, faxing, Internet access, and the ability to run line-of-business applications. HTS recommends Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 as a complete server solution.
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A peer-to-peer network that included only one Internet-enabled PC and a single e-mail address hampered the ability of the non-profit Infant Development Program (IDP) to obtain critical treatment information for the children in their care and to communicate with their funding sources. Upgrading to a client-server network based on Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, and Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Office 2003 on the desktop provided IDP with Internet access for the entire organization and e-mail addresses for all employees and volunteers. IDP staff can now communicate more effectively with funding sources, the executive director can prepare funding applications more efficiently, and the staff and volunteers can spend more time caring for the children.
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Sales growth at Integrity Building Systems (IBS), a rapidly growing manufacturer of modular housing in the northeastern United States is soaring. The company needs a more robust computing platform on which to manage internal scheduling services, client communications, and a third-party accounting application. By upgrading from a peer-to-peer network to Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition, IBS got a complete client-server environment in a single integrated business solution. IBS expects to increase sales due to improved communications with customers, by producing an estimated 20 percent more quotes annually, and reducing operational expenses due to improvements in internal e-mail messaging, scheduling, systems administration, and data backup procedures.
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North Central Sight Services built a world-class business solution by upgrading to Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 and by implementing the Microsoft Great Plains Business Solution. Combining network server, unified messaging, and data management capabilities with network-based faxing and an industry-hardened firewall provides NCSS with the tools needed to maintain a competitive advantage in today’s manufacturing marketplace. EDI technology that uses Microsoft SQL Server 2000 data management capabilities will enable NCSS to grow their order volume with the U.S. government by an estimated 10 percent. Using SQL Server with Great Plains software will help reduce inventory costs by 40 percent. This growth will help create new manufacturing jobs for visually impaired workers in Pennsylvania.
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Shipping costs were eating the profits of OmniMount Systems, a manufacturer of audio-video component fixtures. A manual bill of lading process dependent on handwritten entries made data difficult to retrieve. In addition, OmniMount needed to improve its customer follow-up and network access during off hours. OmniMount tapped the expertise of its IT consultant, MCW Technologies LLC, to solve these problems. A new, automated shipping management solution was put in place that saved the company more than $250,000 a year. The solution uses Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003, Microsoft Office InfoPath 2003, and Windows Small Business Server 2003. Better management decisions are now possible for product pricing, marketing programs, and vendor negotiations. Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 and Windows Small Business Server 2003 also enable tracking of customer communications and give OmniMount's staff 24-hour access to network resources and desktop files.
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When Malaysian steel dealer, Peng Hong Hardware Sdn Bhd, wanted to reduce its IT infrastructure costs, it switched to the Linux platform from Microsoft Windows. But various technical, support, and unexpected cost issues soon surfaced. Peng Hong Hardware realized what it really needed was a user-friendly, reliable, and cost-effective IT environment. Some 10 months after its move to Linux, the company reversed its decision. Since deploying Windows Small Business Server 2003, the company has slashed its total cost of ownership by 50 percent while improving its productivity and efficiency.
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Precision Results Manufacturing had desktop computers connected directly to one another with no central server. Their peer-to-peer network made system-wide shutdowns a common occurrence. An unsophisticated e-mail system and manual fax process also limited the employees' efficiency. Partnering with SHEA-PC, a Microsoft partner and Intel Reseller, Precision Results deployed a dual Intel Xeon processor-based server running Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003. The new system helps save between 20 and 30 staff hours each week and increases office productivity by 25 percent. The scalable system also positions Precision Results to meet the future growth that the company anticipates.

Quiet Wing Corporation upgraded its server software to Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 to take advantage of its integrated full-featured communication, collaboration, and data management capabilities. The Microsoft SQL Server 2000 technology component of Windows Small Business Server 2003 enabled the company to upgrade its business-critical DOS-based line of business application to the most current Windows-based version to better manage the company’s operations. Group calendaring enabled the Quiet Wing staff to be more efficient in scheduling meetings both internally and with customers, while Remote Desktop enabled company staff to remotely access client documents and engineering specifications while away from the office.
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Rainier Mountaineering (RMI) and its experienced, highly skilled group of guides is committed to setting the standard for quality climbing instruction. Every day, RMI depends on its network resources to maintain schedules, client information, and staff collaboration as well as to support its retail sales division. As RMI grew, so did the time, resources, and cost needed to keep the infrastructure operational. With the help of U.S. Techs, RMI implemented a Windows Small Business Server 2003 solution that cut network administration costs by 70 percent while improving staff morale through easier access to shared and personal files. Now, RMI has more time and resources to focus its attention on what drives business: serving customers, instead of managing servers.
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Riddle & Wimbish, a leading boutique law firm, upgraded its client-server environment by deploying Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 to improve communications and collaboration and enable lawyers and staff members to interact more easily with the firm’s clients. By using Microsoft Office Outlook Web Access, staff members can access e-mail remotely, and Remote Web Workplace enables them to access files more quickly and securely whenever they are out of the office. Easier network administration tools will help the staff provide peer-to-peer assistance and self-service to manage common system and application problems. Riddle &; Wimbish expects the new system to pay for itself within an estimated six to twelve months.
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In only one year, California manufacturer Soundproof Windows quadrupled, from four people in a 5,000 square-foot shop to 23 people in an 18,000 square-foot facility, with offices across the country and overseas. The company realized that its aging computer network could not meet increasing business requirements. The desktop computers had no reliable e-mail, fax, or Internet security service. Nor could the company provide remote access for its mobile users. Most difficult for its conduct of business: system downtime was an everyday occurrence. Each time the system went down, productivity plunged to zero. Teaming with ExpressNets, a Microsoft Certified Partner and Intel Technology Provider, Soundproof Windows deployed an Intel Xeon processor-based server running Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003. After just one week, Soundproof Windows reported saving hundreds of dollars through increased productivity.

Times Square Trading is a broker-dealer of corporate securities. The company has developed a proprietary Web-based program, Times Square Communication System (TSCS) to speed client transactions. Concerns about disaster recovery, better e-mail solutions, off-hour network access, calendar integration, and client profitability analysis prompted Times Square to seek new technology answers. Its information technology partner, CHIPS Computer Consulting, solved the challenge by using Office Professional Edition 2003, Windows Small Business Server 2003, and Office InfoPath 2003. The company has saved an estimated $500,000 annually in reduced expenses, lost time, and increased productivity.
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W&E Baum is one of the leading manufacturers of memorials in the United States. Because its products literally have its customers' names on them, precise attention to detail, job quality, and deadlines is critical. Over the last several years, however, the company's order-processing system had become stressed and inefficient. Tapping the power of Windows Small Business Server 2003 and Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003, the company was able to simplify job collaboration and communications. For example, there is a single, common document workspace where Baum's customers and staff interact to better manage projects. The overall solution has generated a significant increase in production capacity and solved security concerns. Baum projects a minimum of U.S. $100,000 in increased capacity.
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Warner Implement is one of the leading resellers of John Deere agricultural equipment in the country, but the company needed better internal communication, remote access to data, and fewer IT service calls. Heartland Technology Solutions, a Microsoft Certified Partner, recommended Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, a complete server solution that is robust, reliable and cost-effective. Warner expects first-year savings of nearly $20,000 and project payback in less than six months.
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Looking for ways to develop long-term relationships with customers and generate new sources of revenue, Microsoft technology partners see a range of opportunities with Windows Small Business Server 2003. Focusing on the experiences of AXXIS Technology, Center for Computer Resources, ESI Enterprises, Heartland Technology Solutions, and IDE Nätverkskonsulterna, this case study details the opportunities and benefits Windows Small Business Server 2003 offers technology partners as they help small businesses enhance productivity and collaboration, protect and manage data, and increase profits. Other discussion points include an overview of the challenges technology partners face as they compete in the global marketplace and how they expect Windows Small Business Server 2003 to help meet those challenges, a brief discussion of the potential market for Windows Small Business Server 2003, and a synopsis of early customer deployments.
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