Company A has three computers running Windows 9x in their office.  They want to be able to share files and printers, and implement an inter-office email system and share an internet connection.  One employee will routinely work on shared data from home at night.  What should they do?

The most economical answer to this scenario, would be to add network cards to the three stations and purchase a network hub or switch.  Run network cable, plug in and the systems are networked.  MS Mail is an inexpensive inter-office email system which comes bundled with the OEM version of Windows 9x, as does a email client.  Upgrading one of the workstations to Win2000 Pro provides rudimentary Internet connection sharing, as long at the TCP/IP networking protocol is installed.  A Remote Control program will provide dial up access to the employee requiring after hours access to the machine at work

John Q. Public is starting a business.  His proposed business requires four workstations initially, with a future need of at most ten more stations.  He has has decided on the vertical client/server application.  He wants an inter-office email system that links to the Internet, provides email addresses for every one in the office and provides common contact lists and calendars.  Each station requires Internet access.  He desires a database system to eventually develop his business application.  There will be no remote offices.