I have read that installing Oulook on the BES is not supported by RIM. My question is why not and can it be done with some file hacks?? I would imagine it has something to do with Exchange System Manager and Outlook updating/replacing some files that would not work with BES.

I would imagine no one will be able to tell you specifically why, other than it doesn't work "right out of the box" as you already know. Then people will ask why you would load the ESM on it or why use Outlook on the BES anyway when MS offers the client for free.

Give it a shot and let us!

My BES has been up for the last year..working correctly..it has ESM already installed...I want to install Outlook(if i can) for a use other than for the BES functionality....Outlook would not be used in the BBadmin server profile but other profiles...

Do NOT install Outlook on the BES. It will break it, as the MAPI dll used by Outlook will stomp on the version that BES needs to connect to Exchange.

just use OWA

The simplest way to put it is that the Outlook MAPI subsystem cannot handle the requests like the MAPI subsystem installed by Exchange.

That is why RIM does not support it, you may not get MAPI issues for a long time but you will get them. Once you do, they can only be fixed by removing Outlook and installing ESM.

Keep in mind of the MAPI versions, Outlook = 1.0, ESM = 6.5.

It's like putting a 3000lb car on a jack designed for 1500lb. Eventually the car will fall on your a$$

Agreed, use OWA.

I'm racking my brain why you would put client software on a server - I just don't get it.

Some people dont have the money or boss wont let them spend it.

I have been there done that, it really irks me that we still use retail MS office 2000 and add Outlook 2003 to it.

You spend money on Outlook 2003? It's like half the cost of just buying Office Standard?

Outlook 2003 is free with exchange 2003 cals.
Lucky we got that.