Well, since NEEDText is not selling their software right now, thanks RIM, I have been told to look at Boxtone and see what they offer. Their website seems kinda silly. At least the demo did. I was wondering if anyone has used both products and what versions? and if they prefer one over the other.

Also, anyone using these programs, I would appreciate it if you could post / email some screenshots of the program. Just its basic layout and function. I demo'd NEEDText about 4 months ago and I liked it. Seemed easy to use.

The 2 screens they show in the boxtone demo are nice but they are very blurry when saved and zoomed.

I looked into Boxtone a couple of months ago it's pretty cool but expensive.

Here's my thoughts. RIM is supposedly adding in some more robust reporting and monitoring functionality in the upcoming versions of BES, supposedly within the service packs. Why not wait until then to see what RIM pulls out of the bag, especially if you are already using BES 4.1.x... My first thoughts are that it may not even be close to these commercial solutions (don't want to scare away much-needed developers), but you never know.

Exactly. How long is it gunna take for RIM to release the NEW program and how much will it cost?

Screenshots on reporting during the online tech seminar showed NeedText as the interface.

oooooo. when was this?

Yesterday. From what I gathered, it's not going to be an additional cost and will be included in one of the upcoming 4.1 service packs.

More info: BlackBerryCool » Special Report: BlackBerry Technical Seminar recap

awesome dude. I got the email about that but didnt check it out. Dont know how I missed that article on BBcool. Thanks a TON though. This is GREAT news

EDIT. Looking at the screenshot... I wish they would of had a NEWER screenshot of NEEDText. This one is from freekn may of 05. I know it has changed alot since then. This makes me a bit queezy on what will be free and if they will charge for more advanced monitoring features..u know

I heard from an inside source that the NEEDText they are giving you with 4.1 sp3 is a striped down version. Any one else know anything?

The demo on our website is painfully outdated. If you want screenshots or a demo of our product please feel free to inquire with me.

Jon

It isn't that stripped really from what I've seen / heard. It's a welcome addition for RIM to help with some of the smaller implementations of BES. But if you're a large BB shop ( over 500+ bb's ) you'd most likely need a more robust offering.

Thanks, we are very close to purchasing Boxtone as we have 20+ BES servers and we will be adding alot more very soon. We are in contact with a rep.

ooooo a real boxtone rep on the forums. Are you guys a bit worried about this? Did RIM ever come to you about using the boxtone software?

PM is coming for you.

Worried about what? The needtext aquisition? In a word, No.
NeedText is and always has been a good tool for monitoring as I said before sub 500 user implementations.
BoxTone is and always be the enterprise class monitoring tool that is proven to scale and support clients who have exactly what seems to be your firm's deployment.

I can't divulge what RIM has discussed with us but I can say that we have an excellent partner relationship with RIM and most anyone who's anyone at RIM knows what we do and that we're good at it