BlackBerry BES and SBS2003 w/ 10 users...is it worth it? 1

[wahnula]

Hello,

Nextel recently introduced a BlackBerry PTT phone, and our company bought one to try it out. I did some research, and in true crack-dealer fashion, RIM offer a FREE one-user BES Express program that integrates with Exchange. I don't like giving their device full administrative privileges on my server, but I guess many other companies do and it MUST be secure, right?

I'm still in "study" mode and don't install anything on my server until I'm thoroughly familiar with it. I may be wrong, but it seems that should I want to add a second or third user, I would have to pay ~$3grand for BES...is this true? I found a discounted package on eBay but that's still a lot of coin for a SMB that just wants a few phones. We DO want full features, like real-time email and access to view and modify Exchange Public Folders calendars.

Is there anyone else that has deployed BlackBerry phones in a SBS2003 (SP1) environment that can offer any advice on the best way to go about it? The most users I can see with this service would be 4-5. Thanks as always.



Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[mofusjtf]

http://www.smallbizserver.net/

This site has an article on how to properly install BES on SBS 2k3.

It is not true that if you want to add an additional device you have to pay 3 grand. BES Express (now called BES Professionsl) is free for one phone and $99 for each additional phone up to 30.

http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/server/offers/professional_express.jsp

No version of BES supports Public Folders. You will need to integrate a third party application such as Add2Exchange.

http://www.add2exchange.com/

I personally prefer using the Windows Mobile devices since I simply have to purchase a certificate from Verisign, Godaddy, etc. and use Activesync. No additional software is necassary like with the Blackberry's. But even Activesync does not support public folders. You will find this is a big issue with mobile devices. You need a third party as I mentioned above or maybe even GoodLink from Motorola. It depends what type of public folder you are using (calendar, mail enabled folder, tasks, etc.)

In my experience with mobile devices, the ones I have to troubleshoot and work on the most are Blackberry's (with or without BES).

 

[wahnula]

mofusjtf,

Thanks for that torrent of information. RIM has an excellent tutorial on how to install BES Express, step by step and very clear. What's not clear is the cost for upgrading to more than one user. Thanks for that info. I used to be a member at smallbizserver, but got (get) better answers more quickly here.

Also I'm extremely grateful for the info on Public Folders. We have several shared calendars in Public Folders and access to these would be imperative for maximum usefulness of the devices. Since we are just starting out, maybe looking into Windows Mobile might be a better idea. Either one seems like an awful lot of extra work for me.

I don't mind the educational aspect, but loathe installing apps willy-nilly on my server. I also am not looking forward to the extra administrative overhead, as this (sysadmin) is a part-time job for me and is usually limited to fixing minor issues and changing backup drives. Last thing I need is a user coming into my office waving his phone and needing immediate assistance, not my best situation.

Tony

Users helping Users...