ANTenna Blog -- Hardware & Software

Microsoft has added Windows Home Server to the Microsoft Developers Network (MSDN), and ChannelWeb expects the move to spur developers to come up with small business applications for the software.

Earlier today, ChannelWeb's Kevin McLaughlin reported that MSDN subscribers now have access to the Windows Home Server software, and that with the increased availability, developers are already looking for innovative ways to use it in small businesses.

McLaughlin quotes Dave Sobel, CEO of Evolve Technologies, a Fairfax, Va.-based Microsoft partner, saying "Microsoft VARs have begun using Home Server as a backup appliance," and managing and maintaining it for their small business customers.

McLaughlin also notes that:

In January, Level Platforms unveiled its Managed Workplace offering, which installs on Windows Home Server and lets VARs handle remote management of workgroup networks for their customers. All of this is making Home Server an increasingly viable option for small business that would like to avoid the expense of Small Business Server.

Basically, we're looking at yet another case of the consumerization of IT -- consumer technology filtering up into business environments in those applications where it meets a business need. In many cases, these consumer technologies are cheaper, easier to use, and more powerful than their their busienss-bred equivalents.