Windows Essential Business Server

Windows Essential Business Server (code named Centro) is Microsoft's server offering for mid-size businesses (up to a maximum of 300 Users and/or Devices).

It was released to manufacturing on 16 September 2008 and was officially launched on the 12th of November 2008.

Overview
Built from the Windows Server 2008 codebase, two editions are available: Standard and Premium. The Standard edition includes three Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard Servers and on top of those three servers: Microsoft Exchange 2007, Microsoft System Center Essentials, Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server, and Forefront Threat Management Gateway (Medium Business Edition) formerly known as Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server. The Premium edition adds another Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition and the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard database software.

According to Microsoft, Essential Business Server features a single administration/management console, through which the collection of managed clients and servers can be monitored and managed. Third party software can also utilize the same console to present an administration interface to their software. Computer Associates Inc. and Symantec will use the management console for their CA ARCserve Backup, Backup Exec and Endpoint Protection products respectively. Essential Business Server also includes Remote Web Workplace, an out-of-the-box feature that enables IT to easily set up security-enhanced remote access to company client computers and Outlook Web Access.

On March 5, 2010, Microsoft announced that due to low demand of the product, it discontinued the offering of Essential Business Server after June 30, 2010.