Even if I personally regret it very much, companies that use or want to use JTL-Wawi as an enterprise resource planning system need Microsoft Windows as an operating system for workstations and servers. Technically, it is possible to install Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express on a Windows 7 or 8 workstation and then share it on the network. From a security and performance perspective, such a solution is not really recommended. Unfortunately, Microsoft has not further developed its Windows Home Server 2011 and has also stopped selling the licenses in the meantime. Thus, there is no longer a favorable alternative here for companies with up to 10 employees

The current version of Microsoft’s Windows Server 2012 R2 comes in 4 editions:

• Foundation, for small workgroups up to 15 users
• Essentials, for SME companies up to 25 users
• Standard, with the full range of functions for large companies
• Data center, for highly virtualized environments

Thus, only two editions come into question in the SMB segment, Foundation or Essentials.

Workgroup or domain, that is the question here

In principle, there is only one question to clarify in advance. Should the local network be based on a workgroup or a domain. Let’s look at the differences between a workgroup and a domain (source Microsoft):

Working group:

• All computers are equal. No computer has control over another.
• Each computer has an array of local user accounts. To use a computer in the workgroup, you must have an account on that computer.
• It is usually not more than ten to twenty computers.
• All computers must be on the same local network or subnet.

Domain:

• One or more computers are servers. Network administrators use servers to control security and permissions for all computers in the domain. This allows changes to be made easily, as the changes are made automatically on all computers.
• If they have a user account in the domain, they can log on to any computer without the need for an account on that computer.
• This may involve hundreds or thousands of computers.
• The computers can be located in different local networks.

The use of a domain from as few as 5 workstations is supported by the fact that all computer systems in the local network are automatically backed up when the Essentials edition is used and the workstations are configured correctly, thus minimizing or preventing the loss of locally stored user data. The high and thus also expensive effort for procurement and setup speaks against this. I recommend the use of a workgroup for up to 5 PC workstations and the domain for more than 5 PC workstations.

Hardware

Whether you choose to build your own hardware, a no-name or a brand-name product is not decisive from my point of view. I am assuming a single server solution here, which should have the following system requirements:

Processor

At least Intel Pentium Quadcore or equivalent for Windows Server 2012 R2 Foundation. Intel XEON processor for Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials.

Working memory

At least 4 GB RAM, I recommend 8 GB RAM ECC since the SQL server is also installed here.

Hard disks

2 x 1 TB SATA HDD Raid 1 which are designed for 24 hour operation. 1 x 2 TB for data backup.

Power supply unit

A redundant power supply unit is not required

UPS

These can also be dispensed with.
Personally, I had a very good experience with the Dell Poweredge T20. This server is easy to configure and its design is very compact. Unfortunately, Windows Server 2012 R2 Foundation is not available as an OEM license. Dell offers a relatively inexpensive solution here with the Poweredge T110 II, which can be purchased with Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials pre-installed. Alternatively, the German company Wortmann has a miniserver with the Foundation Edition on offer. The TERRA MINISERVER G2 WS2012 R2 Foundation impresses with its extremely compact design and still finds space in the smallest corner.