Microsoft unveiled on Tuesday the pricing plan for its Windows Essential Server Solutions for small and mid-sized companies, which includes Windows Small Business Server 2008, and Windows Essential Business Server 2008. The all-in-one IT solutions aim at improving efficiency, increasing productivity and growth.

Ray Boggs, vice president Small/Medium Business Research at IDC, said in a statement: “Small and midsized companies are looking for many of the same IT capabilities and benefits as those sought by large enterprises. But the technology has to be delivered as part of simpler, integrated and more affordable solutions for organizations with minimal IT staffs and resources. And of course it helps if solutions are also tailored to meet the needs of technology consultants that often work with those small and midsized firms.”

The beta phase of Windows Essential Server Solutions has already begun for a limited number of customers. The all-in-one IT solution for small and medium businesses is expected to become available later this year, and can be evaluated here.

The offer includes the possibility to purchase single client access licenses (CALs), so as to pay only for an exact number of employees to use the product; or a mix of Standard or Premium CALs, appropriate for the technologies individual employees use.

Small Business Server 2008 Premium includes additional Windows Server 2008 Standard technologies with SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition for Small Business, Microsoft unveiled.

The pricing for Windows Essential Server is as follows: $1,089 for Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard Edition software, including five CALs (plus $77 for each additional CAL), $1,899 for Windows Small Business server 2008 Premium Edition software, including five CALs (plus $189 for each additional CAL), $5,472 for Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Standard Edition software, including five CALs (plus $81 for each additional CAL) and $7,163 for Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Premium Edition Software, including five CALs (plus $195 for each additional CAL).