I'm in a bit of a prediciment.  My very small (4 user) office runs SBS 2003.  We wanted in-house exchange to keep our emails private and to run Blackberry BES software for our 2 BB users.  The only other features we use are MS Backup and we map each of the 4 pc's to the server drive to keep our shared data.  Two of our windows 7 machines don't even log in, they just map a drive to the shared data.

The reason I'm contemplating upgrading has to do with our Blackberry BES software.  The new version (to support BB 10 phones) requires Server 2008 or newer.  If it weren't for that, I think we'd just keep plugging along on SBS 2003.

MS no longer sells any SBS software.  I would have like to use SBS 2011, but I am not finding any reliable source or if I am, it's 2500-3000 dollars.  Not going to happen, not to upgrade 2 BB phones.

Is it possible to run a MS Exchange server software with 5 user cals and allow them to MAP a drive to the server for their shared data?  Again, since we aren't really using any of the features of SBS, logging in isn't really even necessary.

Do I have any options here?

I'm also exploring keeping the SBS 2003 and running a stand-alone server just to run the new BES software and point it back to the exchange system.  Running that down with the BB guru's.

I can't justify 5-10k worth of hardware and software upgrades for a 4 user office when the push to upgrade is coming from 2 blackberry phones.  Looking for a lower cost alternative.

Roveer

Hi,

Since Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 has out of support, we recommend upgrade to latest version.

For your question, we have to update SBS if you want new Blackberry BES software. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Thanks

Roveer,

I used to support a lot of SMBs, some as small as 4-5 users.  Yes, SBS 2011 would have probably been the best option, but since it's no longer produced what few unsold copies are left in the wild are demanding higher prices.  As a consultant, we were forced to point our smaller customers to Server Essentials and Office 365, since most did not want the added cost of a second server and licenses/CALs for Exchange.  I feel your pain.  Your options are very limited, especially if you're trying to keep costs down.  I've never been big on BB, so I don't have the experience to speak to it's integration (if possible) with Office 365.  Unless there's an underlying necessity for keeping the BB phones, is it possible to switch to something that supports ActiveSync?  Please post back if you wish to discuss this further, otherwise good luck in your search for the best answer.