Jeff,
None of what I said was meant as a "slam."
SQL Server will not run on XP. So, it's a safe assumption that if someone is running SQL Server then they are running it on Windows 2000 Server or WIndows Server 2003. Maybe you meant MSDE on XP?
Re: R2 - I think that with SQL Express (MSDE), WE, Standard and Enterprise Microsoft is really causing themselves more problems. But, that is what they've given us. SQL WE is cheaper than SQL Standard, but the price of Standard has gone up with no addition in features or functionality. To me, this doesn't make sense at all. So, to keep the price of SBS the same, they drop the SQL piece down to WE. Welcome to the wonderful world of Microsoft marketing.
But, your price for SQL WE you note below does not include your cost for the Windows Server for SQL to run on. So, add $999 (retail for server and 5 CALs) to your $739 (retail for SQL WE with 5 CALs) and you have $1738 which is more than Small Business Premium which is $1500 (retail with 5 CALs). SBS Premium includes Windows Server, Exchange Server, SQL Server and ISA Server. If all you are looking at is price, SBS is still the better choice, even if you choose not to install Exchange or ISA. And, SQL WE CALs are $146 each which is 50% MORE than SBS ($99 per CAL).
As far as managing an SBS server, my time calculations come from the last six years of administering Small Business Server. I don't think that me or my technicians are that much faster than anybody else, but a properly configured SBS requires very little administrative time. Didn't mean to insult you there.
30 users is small. 5 users is what many call "Micro business." 50 users is getting into the Medium space (according to Microsoft now with the bundled MidMarket SKU).
You are correct in saying "you must supply the client with the best options available at the time" but even by your own arguement, SBS provides Windows Server & SQL WE at a better price point than the seperate servers. And yes, even "while trying to anticipate those needs for the next 3-5 years" you might want to consider SBS as the foundation from which your retailers can grow so that in a year or two from now when they add more staff and begin to ask you about Share Point and email and collaboration you can tell them they already have the tools in place.
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