The thing about platforms like Windows Home Server is that they’re really difficult to name. When WHS was first released, Microsoft had to differentiate it from the rest of their Windows Server products, which are more Enterprise-oriented as well as ensure that the average consumer didn’t confuse the product with Windows client operating systems they’d run on their home computer, like Windows XP, Windows Vista and so on.
Given the fact that WHS hasn’t set the consumer world alight in terms of sales in the past two years, Microsoft have opened up a new positioning for the product in the Small Business space – which is confusing for the small business owner, given that there’s already a product called Windows Small Business Server. But that’s for… erm… bigger small businesses, but businesses not big enough to use Windows Small Business Server Premium.
I think it’s time for the Microsoft brand police to get involved – they’re not known for brevity when it comes to branding, (evidence: one Windows Server line is named “Windows Server 2008 Standard Without Hyper-V“) but there’s a problem here that needs cleaning up. Let’s give them a bit of help.
So, your brief:
You have a server platform that works well in the home as well as for home-based or small-office based businesses with less than 10 users. It offers great back-up, media sharing and remote access features, but no email server.
You want to sell it to digital home enthusiasts who need it to be simple to use for backing up and sharing music, video, documents and photos as well as smaller business users who will back-up business critical files.
You want to ensure that potential purchasers clearly and quickly understand how it is different to other Windows Server products, whilst retaining flexibility to engage and sell to home and business users.
Create a new name for Windows Home Server.
30. July 2009 at 12:06 am
Windows Home Medium
30. July 2009 at 5:31 am
I think they should just call it Windows Vault.
30. July 2009 at 2:52 pm
Call it what it does: Windows SOS for home and small business.
30. July 2009 at 8:44 pm
Windows JBOD
31. July 2009 at 1:38 am
It really doesn't matter what you call it. If any changes are made, just make it function as a drive letter common to all connectors.
31. July 2009 at 5:12 am
WHS being a network center but being able to provide many other features via add-ins is going to be hard to name. Maybe a more abstract/sexy approach should be considered. Something like "Windows Centerpoint".
31. July 2009 at 8:24 pm
Omni Server. Satisfy all your storage, media, and backup needs in one small package.
31. July 2009 at 8:51 pm
Windows Home Hub
31. July 2009 at 10:47 pm
While Microsoft is still keen on naming his products the same way as before (Windows…something, etc) I'm seeing more and more the short version. For instance, everybody now knows Vista, Office, XP, LiveMesh. We all know these are Microsoft products. We all know these are Windows-based platforms. Maybe it's time Microsoft (strongly positioned on the market as it is already) take a different approach and name the product alone, with no string attached to it. Apple is doing a fine job with this. That would mean absolute freedom, easier to remember and spell, opened for some genuine creative thinking. The names would then pour…
2. August 2009 at 11:56 pm
I'd say, Windows Hub – Connects all media platforms in the house together.
4. August 2009 at 9:29 am
I am a Home/Office user. Currently I use SBS 2003 but the fact that all the clients need to use XP Pro rather than the Home version limits its appeal. I bought a netbook hopiing to connect but of course XP home only! I do however want an email server and internet access through the server.Alsohow does Home server deal with the renewal of hardware problem? Any SBS user will tellyou this is a nightmare.
For me Home server with an email server and clients that can use Windows 7 Home. Not much to ask …. and the name?
MICROSERVER
PS Too little information exists aboutthe software. Can it be used as a workstation as well?
4. August 2009 at 11:56 pm
I really liked Windows Home Server myself, but if renaming the product is considered, then let's try a few:
Windows LiveServer Hub (everything MS does has "Live" somewhere these days)
Windows Sharing Center (could be business, could be home, does not matter)
Windows Central (address both business or home)
Windows Homegroup Server (Windows 7 Homegroup concept)
or
something that will sound retro for some people, why not use:
Windows Workgroup Server (old days
6. August 2009 at 9:05 pm
Windows Stage (place to stage your media and entertain your family)
Windows StageIt (play on Live FrameIt)
Windows Butler (serves up all sorts of things)
Windows Popeil (set it and forget it)
7. August 2009 at 1:52 am
Windows Foundation – X
7. August 2009 at 2:47 am
Too many to read & see if anybody else suggested…
Windows Share
Sharez!
7. August 2009 at 6:22 am
Using the already established Windows Media Centre name WHS could be changed to:
Windows Family Centre
Windows Work Centre
The two could even have there own dedicated apps (i.e. WFC more media streaming focused and WWC geared as a file server with greater access controls.
11. August 2009 at 2:09 pm
"Microsoft Personal Server 2008" or something like that would be pretty ok I think
12. August 2009 at 7:58 pm
Windows Wheel.
13. August 2009 at 8:10 pm
Windows Home Central (or just Home Central).
I appreciate it's for the small business too (up to 10 users), but with the good old additional 'Pro" version, the box could be slightly different, and maybe a slightly higher spec out of the box.
15. September 2009 at 5:09 pm
WHS – Windows Home Server is a great name and now feels like it is getting traction. Lets keep the name and just make it known as a great product.