I agree with you as well Mark. You are at the mercy of RIM and there servers to make sure you device gets the updates, etc. However RIM has "seemed" to have improved its up time over the past while, or I just haven't noticed it down as often. Although it doesn't matter really matter if you use an Iphone, or a Blackberry, if the Wireless provider has issues, or you are in a dead zone.

andrewbriggs System Administrator, Information Technology (p) 604.602.2700

-----Original Message----- From: studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@mailman.studiosysadmins.com [mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@mailman.studiosysadmins.com] On Behalf Of Ken Spickler Sent: December-02-09 10:40 AM To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com Cc: discuss@studiosysadmins.com Subject: Re: OFFTOPIC: BES

I didn't see it mentioned, but BES is really only helpful for
BlackBerry environments, where ActiveSync works across multiple
platforms. The BlackBerry is fine, and all, but it really sucked when
RIMs servers took a dump. It didn't matter that our servers were
perfectly fine, because they still relied on RIM's to actually
interface with the handhelds. The mobile providers also tend to charge
you more per month just for BES access.

I use ActiveSync with the iPhone and WinMo devices, and don't use
Exchange. This is possibly an easier option for some of the smaller
shops who want to keep things internal. The Kerio Mail Server supports
Push mail, IMAP, webmail, contacts (via ActiveSync and LDAP), and
calendaring (via ActiveSync and CalDAV). And it's running on OS X
Server (versions for Linux and Win, too). Blackberry devices can
connect, but would use a 3rd party app for full integration (only
email supported without the extra app).

My 2 cents...

Ken Spickler

On Dec 2, 2009, at 10:21 AM, John Burton wrote:

I was hoping Andrew would weigh in on the topic, as I know from
working with him at EA and then Nexon that when it comes to BES, he
knows, you know?

I know OverTheAir OS updates were mentioned, but there's also
updates to applications (as well as adding new applications) without
having to bring all of your road warriors into the IT department for
an update.

The ability to remotely (and immediately) lock/wipe the unit is good
too, since we had one or two go missing over the years, and being
able to change the lock screen to "Contact XXX-XXX-XXXX for Reward"
was useful. I don't know if EasySync can do that or not, but BES
has been able to do it for a while now.

Also, BES over BIS (hosted by service provider) is night and day.
Being able to properly reconcile (in both directions) between
mailbox and Blackberry is a real time/sanity saver.

John Burton Systems Administrator Prime Focus VFX Vancouver

On 12/2/2009 10:06 AM, Mark Rocchio wrote: > Awesome answer! > > Thnxs Andrew. > > > Mark Rocchio > Head of Digital Production > > > -----Original Message----- > From: studiosysadmins-discuss-bounces@mailman.studiosysadmins.com
> [mailto:studiosysadmins-discuss- > bounces@mailman.studiosysadmins.com] On Behalf Of Briggs, Andrew > Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2009 9:29 AM > To: discuss@studiosysadmins.com > Subject: RE: OFFTOPIC: BES > > Hi. > > I've been a BES admin for the past 5 years, and have setup a few
> BES's > in my time. I attended an Exchange 2007 course last week and we
> touched > a bit on the ActiveSync stuff. With this version on ActiveSync, it
> does > rival the BES for functionality, (Push technology with email, GAL > lookups, remote wipe of device, contacts and calendar sync, etc..)
> It's > the BES policies that RIM has that Microsoft doesn't. The
> granularity > you get with the BES policies is not available on the ActiveSync side > yet, at least in Ex2007, I haven't looked at Exchange 2010 yet. > > Also with BES, you get the ability to deploy apps, via the > > On the flip side, ActiveSync is free, and the learning curve is far
> less > with regards to Administration of it. Even your iphone user can
> login > to their mailbox via OWA and send a remote wipe command to their
> device > if they lose it. You can't do that in BES 4.1.x. Maybe 5.0? > > So the constant question of which one is right for your company?
> It all > depends on which device makes sense for your business. I wonder in > Obama will switch? > > > andrewbriggs > System Administrator, Information Technology > abriggs@radical.ca > > _ StudioSysAdmins-Discuss mailing list StudioSysAdmins-Discuss@mailman.studiosysadmins.com

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