Hi guys,

We are just starting to embark on supporting Blackberries in our environment.

I remember that BES Express was free for a while.... But now it seems that it has been replaced with Blackberry Professional Edition.

Is there a similar model (one server license + 1 cal for free)? I don't see it anywhere... it seems that i have to pickup the minimum BPE + 5 license.

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Ok, reading the "how to buy" for the 10th time. I finally saw it.

Duh.

For others... here it is..

"Get started with BlackBerry Professional Software Express. It’s a free download with one Client Access License included. Purchase additional CALs as you need them. Learn more about BlackBerry Professional Software Express."

I'm going to assume that you don't have 5 BlackBerry devices then?

If you do, you can get 1 BPS Server CAL + 5 Device CALs for free, available until end of month: BlackBerry

You were probably looking at this page for the 1 BPE Server CAL + 1 Device CAL for free: BlackBerry - BlackBerry Professional Software Express

Here's the comparisions for...

BlackBerry Professional Software Vs BlackBerry Enterprise Server Vs BlackBerry Internet Service Vs Hosted BlackBerry Enterprise Server

BlackBerry - BlackBerry Professional Software

BTW, BES Express and the new BlackBerry Professional Software are different.

Upgrading from BlackBerry Enterprise Server – Small Business Edition
================================================== ====
If your organization already uses BlackBerry Enterprise Server – Small Business Edition, you can upgrade for free to BlackBerry Professional Software. The process is the same as adding a service pack.

Source: BlackBerry - BlackBerry Professional Software

Thanks for the help guys..
Yes, unfortunately we don't have 5 devices to qualify for that offer. As soon as we publish our offerings, i am sure that we will be around 15 or 20.

And yes, i was just looking for the 1 BPE + CAL for free. I don't know they have hidden it under BES, rather than BPE.

Both the Express and the Professional Version are availible at RIM for download.

Looks for me, that the "Professional" version is like a scaled down BES Small Business/EXpress, but with an easier install.

CALs from the professional version do not work with the express version
I learnt that today, when I downloaded the "professional" version instead of the express which originally wanted.

This is a bit confusing.

I made much the same mistake but the CALs and SRP key load into the BES software and give no problem until you connect to the relay. The BES sits in a "disconnected" state.

There is a different install package for professional besx_smb_4[1].1.4.exe instead of besx_4.1.4.exe. Why RIM have used smb to define Professional I don't know. Also I presume there will have to be a different service pack, we will have to wait and see.

This all means we have to maintain different code rather than the same code that sets the capability by CALs applied.