Thanks for the feedback. I think my biggest concern is the ERP system my clients are considering. Both of the candidates are fairly "heavy" SQL Server database apps. I suspect having everything on one box would be fine for normal data input operations. However, I wonder about the impact of heavier queries such as month-end reporting, or backup operations - would they hit the box so hard that everything else would slow to a crawl?

If you don't mind me asking:

- roughly how large is your SQL database?
- do you run any SQL queries that take a lot of time? How are the other processes on the box affected?

I agree that the ERP/SQL DB could be moved to another box later. However, I suspect the ERP VAR would charge significantly to reconfigure in that fashion. I doubt it would be as simple as backup/detach on the old and restore/attach to the new ;-)

>The cost difference is not that great between standard and premium. The per user license is the same price regardless of standard vs premium and that is the more expense part. I would go with the premium, you can always add an additional SQL server later if needed. We have a dual core 3.4mhz processor/4gb ram SBS running exchange for about 40 users and 10 users on a small sql 2000 app. The CPU usage is generally 5%/3% but the ram does get used up close the 4gb we have.
>
>>A client is evaluating 2 ERP programs for their business:
>>- SAP Business One
>>- SysPro Version 6.0
>>
>>Both of these require a SQL Server backend.
>>
>>The client is also interested in getting into MS Exchange Server. They are a relatively small firm (about 15 employees) and it looks as though Exchange Standard Edition will work well for them.
>>
>>MS offers a bundle of server software products called Small Business Server (SBS) 2003 R2. It comes in two versions:
>>
>>- Standard Edition: includes Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard and Exchange Server 2003 SP2 Standard
>>- Premium Edition: adds SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition to the above
>>
>>We've asked the vendors, and apparently SQL Server Workgroup Edition is sufficient to run the ERP offerings. It supports 3GB RAM, 2 physical CPUs.
>>
>>SBS 2003 R2 has some limitations:
>>- All its components must be installed on a single computer. You can't, for example, install the SQL Server component on a separate computer
>>- Max hardware it supports is 2 physical CPUs (can be multicore), and 4GB RAM.
>>
>>So, there are 2 options:
>>
>>1. Buy SBS Premium and install everything on one server
>>2. Buy SBS Standard and some separate SQL Server license (Workgroup or Standard) and set SQL up on a separate box
>>
>>I know that Option 2 will perform better, have less contention and more headroom for future expansion. However, maybe Option 1 is "good enough" for my client. Does anyone have any experience running a decent-sized ERP system directly on the SBS server, or does everyone go straight to Option 2?