Notes and Blackberry Enterprise Server - feedback wanted

[mcse924]

We may be pilot testing Blackberry Enterprise Server solution with Lotus Domino 6.x in the near future.

I am curious to get feedback on:

- installation (easy, tricky, hard?)
- rollout
- user response, actual use with attachments
- maintenence
- overall success

Any feedback would be MUCH appreciated...

Carpe diem, procrastination is the thief of time...

 

[tonty]

We have successfully implemented BlackBerries with Notes 5.0.12.

Installation - This was a little arduous as we had to create a Domino server exclusively for the BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server) and then install the SW. We encountered a few problems because we created the Domino server to the specifications laid down by our system architect (Lotus consultant) when we migrated from CCMail a couple of years ago but the BES makes assumptions on default settings that we had changed.

Rollout - Once the server is in place and functioning, the rollout is pretty simple. Just a case of adding the users name and PIN of the device to the BES and then plugging in the device and loading the desktop SW to the users machine.

User Response - This was, on the whole, very good and many users became reliant very quickly. Particularly favoured by users who commute and/or travel frequently on public transport.

Actual Use With Attachments - For this, the BES uses a bolt-on called METAmessage (This can be used for translating attachments, retrieving addresses from your company name & address book and remote printing (to a fax machine)). We only really use the attachments section and it is very simple to use, however, as you might expect, despite grandiose claims from RIM, this only works satisfactorily on pure text attachments (*.txt, *.doc, etc.).

Maintenance - Very maintenance intensive initially during our pilot. It has calmed down alot now as we iron out teething problems, experience (both user and administrator) and when we signed up, we got the newer T2 device (6800 series) which has proved much more reliable.

Overall - The users love them, especially the wireless calendar (Instant, wireless synchronisation with the Notes calendar). But currently (Here in the UK anyway), the browser does not work! It is what RIM describe as a 'feature gap' which was a new one on me... It is marketing speak for 'It does not work'.

FYI there is a BlackBerry forum here on Tek-Tips.

Regards,
Tony.

 

[mcse924]

First off, thanks, your information is much appreciated.

As a follow up, we were told we did NOT need BES for Domino installed on the SAME server as Domino, that it could be installed on a stand alone server (W2K) runnning only BES. Is this true? Is this version-specific (i.e. older version needs Domino, newer version may not)?

Also, what version of BES for Domino are you currently running? Why the need for BES to run on an actual Domino server? I am probably wrong, but my assumption is that all BES does is manage devices, redirects email, and communicates with the "main" Domino server where the users' actual mailboxes reside. Why the need for Domino to be on the same box too?

THANKS AGAIN!

Carpe diem, procrastination is the thief of time...

 

[tonty]

Things may have changed with later releases. I don't know what the latest release is but we went live less than six months ago so we must have a fairly recent version.
We are on BES 2.1.1.26 and it clearly states in the installation notes that one of the software system requirements is Domino Server, but like I say, things may have changed.
As part of the BES install, a number of databases are created on the Domino Server, it was my assumption that it was for this reason that a separate server was required.
I am assuming that you have got your information from a technical contact rather than a sales contact, you know what salesmen are like, they promise the world and then...

Regards,
Tony.