The Enterprise Server is part of a 2003 line of software packages available through Microsoft. It is configured specifically for larger businesses and organizations, allowing users the system-wide support necessary for several strategic applications. Among these applications are networking and XML Web services.

As its design is perceived as vital to more complex operations, it is recognized as a decisive component in the Windows Server series. The Enterprise Edition is marketed as a commanding resource in the growing market for Web-ready applications. Several benefits can be found in the Enterprise Edition, including Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), Metadirectory Services Support (MSS), Windows Media Services, and Internet Connection Firewall.

As part of the advancement in server technology, the Enterprise Edition builds on the framework provided by its precursor, the Microsoft Windows Server 2000. Many of the familiar applications and features available on the Windows Server 2000 will be found within the structure of the Enterprise Server, and within the other versions of the Windows Server 2003 line of software products. This is comforting news for the user thinking about upgrading to this newer system.

As advancements are made to better comply to consumers' needs, there are guidelines one might consider in order to decide whether it is better to upgrade to a newer system or to install a new version. Installation of new software requires the removal of the entire preexisting system, a more complex solution than a simple upgrade. The advantage of this path is a more thorough configuration occurs, thus eliminating potential future problems within the core system. This course is thought to be the preferable choice for larger, more intricate systems. It is commonly agreed upon that smaller businesses or organizations should consider upgrading as a viable option. This allows users to maintain original settings, and to retain existing files and applications.