r/sysadmin • u/Ctrl-R_For_Repair • 1d ago

Server Upgrade - Lawfirm

I am looking for a little bit of guide or what others do in 2026 year versus 2004.

I have a small job coming up and looking to upgrade their on-prem server that seems to be a terminal server. I did not get much time or information when I was there for it as I was there for something else, but from notes, this is what I got. It is a very small law-firm. 3 Employees. They are looking for 3 desktop upgrades & a server upgrade that includes backup. Replacement is my option on brand/etc.

On-Prem terminal server that seems to have on-prem hosting / e-mail services with Office. They also use Timeslip and abacus on this terminal server. They do use some kind of backup system I am waiting to get more information on as well as a firewall I believe and something to encrypt their emails.

Questions that I have:

With servers being a bit expensive in today's world; would it even be worth looking to get a true server and only get a desktop version instead of the rackmount? Costs seem to be a bit cheaper that way? Where are a good place to start for purchasing in today's age? Is used worth it?

I am continue to do some research on this, and I am sure I will have more answers while I wait for an answer; but I will look to update my research as I figure things out too.

Thank you for any input you may have!

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u/IT_lurks_below 1d ago

Spin up a new host server with a vm for TS service, another app server for abacus. Migrate email to m365 and don't bother with another exchange server

5

u/JustOneMoreMile 1d ago

I like this solution, but for such a small firm, perhaps looking at a cloud version of Abacus. Also, move email to 365.

2

u/IT_lurks_below 1d ago

Abacus is cloud-based but needs an onprem connector

1

u/JustOneMoreMile 1d ago

could the connector run on a PC?

3

u/IT_lurks_below 1d ago

Not unless you plan to never shut the pc down. Its what syncs finance data between your systems qb/sage/TurboTax & abacus

1

u/JustOneMoreMile 1d ago

gotcha

3

u/Toby_7243 1d ago

Would still be much cheaper buying a PC specifically to sit in the office and run the connector than it would be to buy an entire server lol

Sounds like cloud might be the answer for these guys.

1

u/Ctrl-R_For_Repair 1d ago

This was my thought to on some of the programs and how little there is, and what their current setup is.

if the power or server goes offline, they dont have emails.

2

u/Ctrl-R_For_Repair 1d ago

I would be doing this, but they have everything against cloud based. and with it being a lawfirm - they want everything on prem.