Terminal Services can be deployed on the server in either application server or remote administration mode. As an application server, Terminal Services delivers the Windows 2000 desktop and the most current Windows-based applications to computers that might not normally be able to run Windows. When used for remote administration, Terminal Services provides remote access for administering your server from virtually anywhere on your network.

Windows 2000 Server includes improved network, application, and Web services. It provides increased reliability and scalability, lowers your cost of computing with powerful, flexible management services, and provides the best foundation for running business applications.

Windows 2000 Server makes application development and deployment easier by including services developers require. High-level interfaces are provided for commonly used services such as communications, security, database access, and the Active Directory services. These interfaces can be used from virtually any programming or scripting language, making for rapid development. Windows 2000 also provides a low-level C++ API for advanced application developers and higher performance.

Windows 2000 Server application services are Internet-enabled at their core. This aids flexibility because applications can be deployed on the corporate intranet, or an existing client-server model can be used. Integrated communications and terminal services let more people use an organization's applications in more places, on a broader range of legacy devices.