I really like Direct Push. It allows the synchronization of email, calendar, contacts, and tasks over the air. All of it is pushed immediately when a change is made either on the device or in Outlook. However, it does require that the user have access to an Exchange server. This is just what a BlackBerry requires to synchronize in the same way. Both must be connected to an Exchange server. BlackBerry's requirement is more expensive though, as it requires BES on top of the Exchange account.

From the perspective of a user there is no real advantage or disadvantage to either Direct Push Or BlackBerry Connect on a BES.

BlackBerry Connect does allow you to have as many as ten push email accounts though. This is something that is not available for Windows Mobile without BB Connect. If you only need one push account then there is no advantage to BB Connect.