IIS Reviews

Authentication for network appliances and load balancing products became easy, making IIS crucial and effective. Teams, especially security and SharePoint, experienced a significant return on investment. IIS impacted operational costs positively, being affordable and instantly beneficial on the cloud version. Most users observed a return of up to 50%, attributing it to its ease of use and pricing. Some highlighted the need for security investment when hosting on personal servers.

Enterprise buyers report that IIS pricing is typically bundled with a Windows Server license, reducing additional setup costs for those already using Microsoft's ecosystem. Many companies appreciate this bundling as it often makes IIS cost-effective. However, there are concerns about the high cost of Windows Server and the potential need for additional expenses like SSL publishing. Licensing options vary between subscription-based and perpetual models, and while some find the pricing reasonable, others regard it as expensive.

• "IIS comes along with an OS license from Microsoft. Others can opt for a perpetual-based licensing model to be able to use the system."
• "They offer a one-time payment model for the product license, and we pay annually for support."
• "Users can get a subscription-based license or a perpetual license for IIS."

Organizations use IIS mainly for web application hosting, managing internal applications, and serving as an operating system for servers. Many utilize IIS for deploying web-based applications, facilitating user authentication, and enhancing web security with SSL certificates. It's frequently implemented for running enterprise and cloud-based applications, as well as supporting customized platforms for sectors such as healthcare, government, and finance. IIS is integral in environments resistant to cloud deployment, favoring on-premises approaches.

Many users have not needed Microsoft’s customer service for IIS. While a few have accessed technical support, experiences vary; some find the support responsive and good, while others feel support staff could improve in problem-solving and efficiency. Community resources are often used over direct support, especially when simple queries arise. Microsoft's documentation is helpful, but direct technical support sometimes experiences delays, and for some, community forums or search engines like Google are preferred.

IIS's initial setup is commonly described as straightforward, often deployable within minutes to a few hours. Users note its simplicity, especially for basic configurations, though complexity can increase with additional features. Deployment typically involves navigating Windows Server roles and adding IIS components. Minimal resources are generally needed for implementation. Even organizations unfamiliar with the steps find the process manageable, and larger infrastructures may require slightly longer deployment times. Some perceive the setup as less complex than alternatives like Apache.

Scalability of IIS varies; while some users indicate it is scalable, others experience limitations. Factors like server setup, clustering, and integration impact its ability to expand. Internal usage often sees fewer challenges compared to large external demands. Users find enhancements in newer versions improve scalability, yet it often requires additional efforts for broader application integration. Flexibility in scaling through multiple servers is a noted advantage, though it sometimes struggles with complex environments.

IIS is highly stable, with many users rating its stability between seven and nine out of ten. Most report good performance, though a few note occasional issues or compatibility concerns with non-Microsoft technologies. Recent enhancements have improved its robustness. It typically maintains high server uptime, with minimal glitches or crashes. Despite some users observing room for improvement, it remains a reliable and widely used option for hosting on-premises applications.