[There's a reason that Yoda is the unofficial mascot of SBS. Size indeed matters not.] I really like Microsoft's a/v software ...but.... - THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF THE SBS DIVA
Thu, Dec 23 2010 22:43 bradley

I really like Microsoft's a/v software ...but....

From the mailbag tonight...

   I've been very happy with the protection of Microsoft Security Essentials for my Small Business clients of 10 or less.  MSE has detected and removed viruses that other AV software doesn't catch.  However, what do I get for my SBS customers that have more than 10 PCs?  I looked at Forefront End Point 2010 but according to what I've read it requires Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager.  That's way too expensive.  What do you think?  I really like Microsoft's AV software but I need to know how I can get for my SBS networks.  Please help.

I'm right behind you.  I really like Forefront but the System Center Configuration Manager is too expensive and too bloated.  Right now I'm using the interface of the SBS 2008 console (also in SBS 2011) on the network/computer tab to keep track of a/v status.  You can buy "just" the agents and run them unmanaged.  Mind you, you do have to buy Forefront under a 3 year open value contract.  They do not make it easy to buy Forefront, lemme tell you.

But... I might have another solution... something that was just shown to me the other day that looks promising and maybe... just maybe... more SBSized.

http://www.truesec.se/lms/lms/LMS.html

Not yet released, but you might want to email them to get more information.

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# re: I really like Microsoft's a/v software ...but....

Friday, December 24, 2010 4:00 AM by Marko Franken

There might be a lighter version of FEP targeted at non-SCCM customers, TBA next year...

# Forefront and SCCM

Friday, December 24, 2010 11:54 PM by Joe Raby

Forefront requires SCCM.  But why won't they adapt it to work with SCE?  For smaller businesses, Forefront (at least Endpoint) should be allowed to run on SQL Express.  Other vendors have already figured out how to scale down their management engine....

SCE should include - AT NO EXTRA COST - management of Forefront technologies, up to the CAL limitations of SCE.

I do understand the decision to say "hey, security management is part of client management as a whole", but they still need to offer some kind of management for businesses in the 10+ category, and Forefront isn't affordable or even realistic for companies smaller than an enterprise.  We have Intune, but where is the on-premise equivalent for SMB's?  Where is that choice that Microsoft says we should have?

# re: I really like Microsoft's a/v software ...but....

Tuesday, December 28, 2010 4:54 PM by Dean

"TrueSec is based in a country where the vast majority of companies are between 1-400 employees"

Where is that ? Elbonia ?