Microsoft has had their Windows Home Server product in the marketplace for a little while now. Essentially it’s a cut down version of Windows Server which primarily seems designed to provided centralised network storage and backup facilities. There’s been a lot of talk since it’s release as to the potential for putting these things into business sites for storage/backup purposes. To be honest we haven’t found a strong niche for them yet (not to say that we won’t), but an interesting find courtesy of the Diva may change that.

One of the problems to date I think has been talking to business clients about using a product called ‘Home’ server in their organisation. It just doesn’t present well to be talking about business grade products, and then introduce a ‘Home’ server. May as well bundle that with Norton Internet Security for all the good it does the argument.

So big props to HP for releasing the new HP StorageWorks X500 Data Vault – AKA Windows Home Server rebadged. See ZDNet for a quick write-up. Essentially we’re talking Windows Home Server with no mention of the ‘Home’ bit. Yet to find out if/when these things may hit Australian shores, but I can see some good opportunities for our clients if they do.