* Why Centro isn't earth-shattering news
Microsoft’s recent announcement of the new mid-market server bundle, codenamed Centro, isn’t exactly earth-shattering news.
Slated for release late next year, or early in 2007, the Centro package will include the next version of Windows Server software (the so-called Longhorn server) along with the at-that-time current version of Exchange server. Added to the mix will be the next version of ISA Server and the new System Center management technologies, which includes software for patch deployment and monitoring of the desktop and server.
The package is designed to be deployed by Microsoft channel partners on two to three hardware servers. It will also be available as “software only” for those who wish to build and deploy their own platforms. Microsoft’s thought, though, is that while midsize organizations have a separate IT department and IT budget, the department is stretched thin and the budget is usually only a sketchy structure. Using the consulting and design expertise of the channel partners will result in better efficiency and performance.
Do you buy that logic?
Given that Redmond believes that Longhorn server and Exchange server belong in every organization (they’re also the core of the Small Business Server I talked about last week), what’s different about Centro? Well, it’s that security and monitoring stuff. Doesn’t everybody need security? Shouldn’t every one do patch deployment as well as hardware monitoring?
There’s also Microsoft’s definition of “midsize,” which is an organization with from 25 to 500 desktops. But a company with 25 desktops also fits into the “small business” definition thus the need to specify that midsize enterprises have a full-time, dedicated IT staff.
There are different needs for organizations with full-time IT, part-time IT and out-sourced IT. But the differences within each of those niches can vary more than the difference between them.
While one size fits all isn’t the answer, assuming that everyone wears either S, M or L isn’t correct either. You really shouldn’t buy your network, applications and services “off the rack” but should be sure to customize everything so that it fits your organization. Sure, that often means buying a so-called “boxed” product, but it should be the boxed product that fits in with your ideas for the organization, not the ideas that determined some “bundle” is everything you need.
Unless Centro will come with a price advantage (or some exclusive parts), then it’s no more than a marketing gimmick and one you should probably avoid.
