Hi all,

This is my first post and apologies if this one has been done to death but I'm seriously pulling my hair out trying to wirelessly deploy some Blackberry apps Over The Air.

Before I begin here some info on our environment...

1. Server: BES 4.1.6.13
2. Handhelds: 8120_Dolphin, 8310_Curve, 9000_Bold
3. Handheld versions 4.5 and above
4. Apps required for OTA delivery: Microsoft LIVE Messenger, Google Maps, Twitter. (For my sins I work for a Media company)

The steps I have done thus far is shared out the 'C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion' directory on the BES server as \\servername\rim

I've created 3 'Application Policies':

1. Disallowed
2. Optional
3. Required

I've also created a 'Software Configuration' called "Disallowed" and set the 'Device software Location' as \\servername\rim and assigned this policy to my clients.

This is where I've stopped and for the following reasons...

1. I've read the RIM KB Article called "Wireless application deployment in the enterprise", and to be honest it's rather lame to say the least!

2. I can't seem to find the .COD and .ALX for the above mentioned apps. (According to some threads I've read I will need these?)

Now. If I manage to stumble upon these installer files (.ALX/.COD) that the vendors don't seem to want to share, my understanding is that I would place these files in their own directory in \\servername\rim\Shared\Applications.

For example: "\\servername\rim\Shared\Applications\LiveMessenge r" and then run the following command line on the BES server to populate a tree structure..?

cmd.exe> loader.exe /index (Within 'C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader')

If my assumptions are correct can someone tell me where to download these required files and if I can deploy these apps Over The Air knowing that I've assigned the "Disallowed" 'Software Configuration' to the devices?

Effectively we (IT Admins) need to control what apps get installed on the Blackberry's.

Please someone tell me that this is possible?

Lastly. Why is it that it's so hard to find these .COD and .ALX files etc? Surely the vendors want to get their software out there!!!???

Thanks all!

RL

Usually they are provided on the vendor site. Check under the support section for BES or deployment. If you have no luck there I usually email to the company and explain I am the BES admin for our fortune 100 company and would like to provide their application to my users and need the ALX/COD files to deploy it.

Usually you hear back and in cases you don't your going to have to point your users to the vendor OTA link (unless you lock that down via policy)

Really interested how RIM will manage AppWorld for companies as it could be a support nightmare.

Will this work with all models once software config is created? do you have to create dseperate folder for seperate devices?

I know...i should install the handheld software for all makes in my enviroment on the BES? This will populate the loaderfiles directory right?

\\servername\RIM\Shared\Loader Files