Microsoft is killing off its Windows Essential Business Server 2008 (EBS) effective June 30 to “streamline” its server portfolio. It figures mid-sized businesses can virtualize and get to the cloud using Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft System Center and Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite. EBS packaged up Windows Server, System Center Essentials, Exchange and Forefront and priced it to appeal to SMBs with less than 300 computers. Microsoft will continue to support users for five years or migrate them. To make it up to customers Microsoft says they can get EBS’ components for free from June 30-December 31. Microsoft’s Small Business Server is not affected.

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