BackOffice Applications

Each Microsoft BackOffice application offers unique functionality for building business solutions.

Figure 3.1 The Microsoft BackOffice suite

The main components of BackOffice include:

• Windows NT Server

  Windows NT Server is an operating system designed for most business needs. Its ease of use, flexibility, and expanded Internet, intranet, and communications services provide the best network foundation for the future.

• Internet Information Server (IIS)

  IIS is a Web server solution that is tightly integrated with Windows NT Server.

• Microsoft Exchange Server

  Exchange Server is an e-mail server with integrated groupware that makes it easier for people in a company to communicate.

• Microsoft SQL Server

  SQL Server is a high-performance client/server relational database management system.

• Microsoft Proxy Server

  Proxy Server is a simple and secure solution that can bring Internet access to every desktop in an organization.

• Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS)

  SMS is a client/server system that enables you to perform centralized management of computers distributed across a network. It allows you to dramatically reduce the cost of managing your distributed desktop PCs.

• Microsoft Systems Network Architecture Server (SNA)

  SNA Server is a gateway that connects network PCs and workstations with IBM host systems running SNA protocols.

• Microsoft Transaction Server

  The Transaction Server makes it easier to develop and deploy high-performance, scaleable, and reliable distributed applications. It simplifies the development of the middle tier of multitier applications by providing much of the infrastructure needed to execute the business logic that runs there.

• Microsoft Site Server

  Site Server provides a comprehensive Web-site environment for enhancement, deployment, and the advanced management of commerce-enabled Web sites. It supports features such as electronic catalog management, online order processing, and the creation of dynamic product and price promotions.

Microsoft Windows NT Server

Windows NT Server is the core application of the BackOffice suite. BackOffice programs rely on the Windows NT operating system to run. Windows NT Server offers both a standard and an enterprise edition.

Lesson Summary

BackOffice is an integrated set of server application for use in deploying applications. The main components include:

• Windows NT Server
• Internet Information Server
• Exchange Server
• SQL Server
• Proxy Server
• Systems Management Server
• Systems Network Architecture Server
• Transaction Server
• Site Server

Windows NT Server is the core application of BackOffice. It must be installed for the other applications to run.