BES Licensing Thread - Page 4 - BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community

BSimpson · 04-08-2009, 10:16 AM

I've read through a great deal of this thread, but not all, so apologies if this has already been answered.

We're going to be moving from GroupWise to Exchange in a few weeks. Part of that will be moving from the BES for GroupWise to the BES for Exchange.

I know we'll have to buy a new version of BES, but...will the user CALs be transferable between the two systems, or will we need to buy all new user licenses?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Nuts and berries · 04-19-2009, 11:15 PM

I have been reading many threads but cannot find (or my eyes are now fuzzy) anything relating to how to get the BlackBerry Professional Server to 30 users. We installed BPS and purchased 2 ten packs to bring us to 21 licenses. We contacted out reseller and said we want to move to 30. He said no problem and sold us another 10 pack. I went to add it and it said I was over the limit. His reply was to delete the single license. Is this possible since it is the free part of BPS?

gimript · 04-19-2009, 11:40 PM

I have a 3.6 asuming its an SBE when i look in the properties it says I have maximum 15 cals, so I guess its SBE (someone pls verify this) my question is when i do upgrade from 3.6
1. do I have to reinstall BES and move all the users or i can simply enter the update key to move to enterprise from SBE
2. if I upgrade from SBE to Enterprise does all the SBE cals get transfered or i have repurchase all of them ?
pls help

knottyrope · 04-20-2009, 09:45 AM

You have to install the 4.1 upgrade kit which will take a little time and you do knot lose the current CALs, it upgrades them.

knottyrope · 04-20-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSimpson

I've read through a great deal of this thread, but not all, so apologies if this has already been answered.

We're going to be moving from GroupWise to Exchange in a few weeks. Part of that will be moving from the BES for GroupWise to the BES for Exchange.

I know we'll have to buy a new version of BES, but...will the user CALs be transferable between the two systems, or will we need to buy all new user licenses?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Give RIM a call. they will probably change them for you.

lawdogg · **Can all versions use the same patches/upgrade paths? -** 04-21-2009, 11:49 AM

I have just finished installing the latest Maintenance Release and now BES says it's "4.1.6 MR5 (Rollup)(Bundle 144)"

I have never purchased BES. I started out with Express (I think). I only have two users on BES and I purchased both CAL's (long story). Can't remember which type of CAL I bought.

So it looks like you can use the same patches/upgrade paths for all versions of BES - but I also saw somewhere (perhaps elsewhere in this thread) that Professional only goes to 4.1.4.

IloveMyPu$$yCat · 04-21-2009, 01:32 PM

SBE and BES are very similar cept SBE is limited to 15 users and SP 6 with MR5 is avail for both

BPS is a bit different and only 4.1.4b is available.

Flare3 · 04-22-2009, 10:19 AM

I've just read thru the thread looking for an answer, but can't see it so hear it goes.

We're expecting BES 5.0 to be released in the next two weeks or so. We don't currently have T-support on our server. We also have read that T-support is changing. So we can purchase a Tx plan today to cover the upgrade.

My question is, what does RIM provide to allow us to upgrade? Or at least what have they done in the past? Is it issuing a new SRP key? I gathered based on one post in this thread that the SRP is tied to the major version of the BES server.

If this is the case I assume I would need all my users to re-activate their devices?

Thanks,
R

IloveMyPu$$yCat · 04-22-2009, 10:32 AM

Flare, your SRP will be upgraded to be allowed to install/upgrade BES 5.0

Users will not need to EA, it will be fairly seemless.

Also if on Remote SQL server you can create a NEW database (or upgrade the old) and move users over and they will have no clue that you did it cept for a service book that is pushed. BES 5.0 is going to be a nice upgrade.

fazthegreat · 04-23-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knottyrope

4.1.4 BES PRO does not support HTML yet.
No one knows when an update will happen.

You posted this back in october 08, does it support HTML now?

knottyrope · 04-23-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazthegreat

You posted this back in october 08, does it support HTML now?

No it does knot. It has reached end of life, read more here.

http://www.blackberryforums.com/bes-...odbye-bps.html

voda_black · 04-24-2009, 10:32 AM

If I understand the above posts correctly - am I right in assuming the following:

- RIM will post a downloadable version of BES 5.0 on their website...
- I should be able to move over my existing SRP and SBE Cals to BES 5.0
- SBE Cals will still be available so if I need to add more/move over to full Enterprise I can then use the Upgrade CAL (which I presume will also still be available)?

Pls confirm....

Thanks!

knottyrope · 04-24-2009, 10:42 AM

Answers in bold:

- RIM will post a downloadable version of BES 5.0 on their website...
but there is a Price $$$$.$$ you have to pay as well.
- I should be able to move over my existing SRP and SBE Cals to BES 5.0
with an upgrade kit.
- SBE Cals will still be available so if I need to add more/move over to full Enterprise I can then use the Upgrade CAL (which I presume will also still be available)? once on BES 5.0 you will have to buy BES 5.0 CAL's

voda_black · 04-24-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knottyrope

Answers in bold:

- RIM will post a downloadable version of BES 5.0 on their website...
but there is a Price $$$$.$$ you have to pay as well.
- I should be able to move over my existing SRP and SBE Cals to BES 5.0
with an upgrade kit.
- SBE Cals will still be available so if I need to add more/move over to full Enterprise I can then use the Upgrade CAL (which I presume will also still be available)? once on BES 5.0 you will have to buy BES 5.0 CAL's

Thank you

lawdogg · 04-24-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IloveMyPu$$yCat

SBE and BES are very similar cept SBE is limited to 15 users and SP 6 with MR5 is avail for both

BPS is a bit different and only 4.1.4b is available.

Thanks! That clears it up.

Now I get to wait and see if RIM is REALLY gonna charge me $999 to upgrade to 5.0. Not worth it for only 2 users

knottyrope · 04-24-2009, 11:36 AM

BPS upgrade to BES is usually $2800.00 USD.

Knot sure what they will charge for BES 5.0 yet.

lawdogg · 04-24-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knottyrope

BPS upgrade to BES is usually $2800.00 USD.

Knot sure what they will charge for BES 5.0 yet.

Just re-read the email they sent me about a month ago. They're offering BES 5.0 free ("a $999 software upgrade") if I sign up for Tx2 support.

Since Tx2 will cost me "only" $675 for a one year subscription, it's almost worth it - assuming, of course, they honor the offer for a guy with only 2 users.

knottyrope · 04-24-2009, 12:15 PM

If they honor the upgrade then go for it, its a steal.

lawdogg · 04-24-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knottyrope

If they honor the upgrade then go for it, its a steal.

Seriously thinking about it. I doubt I'll ever use 99% of it's capabilities - but hey, it's 5.0

knottyrope · 04-24-2009, 12:34 PM

same thing goes for current OSes and office suites, most never even use most of its functions, but they have to have it.

Let us know when you are on 5.0

lawdogg · 04-24-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knottyrope

same thing goes for current OSes and office suites, most never even use most of its functions, but they have to have it.

Let us know when you are on 5.0

Will do. Just pulled the trigger on Tx2 support. RIM sales rep says 5.0 should be available for download "middle of May"

voda_black · 04-29-2009, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawdogg

Just re-read the email they sent me about a month ago. They're offering BES 5.0 free ("a $999 software upgrade") if I sign up for Tx2 support.

Since Tx2 will cost me "only" $675 for a one year subscription, it's almost worth it - assuming, of course, they honor the offer for a guy with only 2 users.

Following on from this, I have also signed up for Tx2 support. I have six users at the moment - and they verified to me also that the BES 5.0 upgrade will be free. I think this is a good deal!

Supra Edd · 05-06-2009, 10:30 AM

sorry im being blind, but have heard that BPS is no longer supported by RIM, is this correct?

knottyrope · 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supra Edd

sorry im being blind, but have heard that BPS is no longer supported by RIM, is this correct?

It has knot been removed from their website yet.

BlackBerry - BlackBerry Professional Software

also their support page exists.

BlackBerry - BlackBerry Professional Software

There is no development on a new service pack.

newtobes · 05-14-2009, 09:16 AM

Anybody can tell me which is Tx2 support?

na.blackberry.com/eng/support/programs/technical/business.jsp#tab_tab_compare

or something else? Thanks.

knottyrope · 05-14-2009, 11:08 AM

Yep they changed it, knot sure if advantage covers it,(look at 2 on bottom) but if you call them up, let us know.

Software Updates 2: With Advantage Support, your Named Callers can access full and feature version software updates from the BlackBerry Expert Support Center as they become commercially available for any BlackBerry software components covered under your subscription

2 For solutions being covered and paid for as part of the support subscription only.

nobody7290 · 06-05-2009, 07:07 AM

Does someone know, if I can upgrade from a BES SBS 4.1.x to Version 5 - and how ?
I just talked to a sales rep in Europe, and, they said, I first have to buy an unlock key to bring the Server Software to a full BES, and then, I could buy the TS support which will bring me the "free" update to 5.0.

This might be true, but from what I read on the US blackberry site, it rather sounds like I could just buy the TS support, get 5.0, and still stay at the 15 User limited BES Version.
Actually, I have 3 Users, and, ist unlikely I ever will go beond 10.

Does anyone else knows this exactly, who has a BES SBS and already updated ?
Thanks.

knottyrope · 06-05-2009, 10:28 AM

Old T support you might have been able to get BES 5.0 at a steal.

T support has changed a lot.

You get support on the version that you have and upgrades for that version only.
You have to purchase a BES Enterprise upgrade first then T support for BES.

I even called up RIM inquiring about it for a friend on BPS and same thing goes.

nobody7290 · 06-06-2009, 09:06 AM

knottyrope,
Thanks for your explanation.

voda_black · 06-18-2009, 06:59 PM

QQ: Does it matter where grographically I buy BES licences from?

If I buy them online (from a site based in the US - and pay in Dollars), I get electronic delivery of the licenses and it works out cheaper for me than buying in the UK.

Any suggestions?

hdawg · 06-18-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voda_black

QQ: Does it matter where grographically I buy BES licences from?

If I buy them online (from a site based in the US - and pay in Dollars), I get electronic delivery of the licenses and it works out cheaper for me than buying in the UK.

Any suggestions?

Buy from the least expensive place that allows you to remain legal.

voda_black · 06-19-2009, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdawg

Buy from the least expensive place that allows you to remain legal.

Tks. I interpret this as - best to buy in UK - but not necessarily from Vodafone...

nobody7290 · 06-19-2009, 05:50 AM

I alway bought my licenses in US, even If I am located in Germany.
A representative from RIM UK told me, "Rim would refuse to sell me a license in USA if I am in Germany, but, If I have a postal adress in US to send a letter, then it will be possible".

Translation:
The Licenses bought from other Countries are ok - of course, they must be real licenses.

voda_black · 06-19-2009, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobody7290

I alway bought my licenses in US, even If I am located in Germany.
A representative from RIM UK told me, "Rim would refuse to sell me a license in USA if I am in Germany, but, If I have a postal adress in US to send a letter, then it will be possible".

Translation:
The Licenses bought from other Countries are ok - of course, they must be real licenses.

Now thats interesting. Because that in a way means that as long as you have a valid CAL - doesn't matter where you bought it from, RIM would support it. Of course, CALs in the US being about 66-75% the price of UK CALs makes it feasible to buy from the US!

nobody7290 · 06-19-2009, 07:41 AM

However, I never had contact with RIM regarding support. Dont know,what would happen if I do.
Also, my inital Server was the $0 bes enterprise SBS.
Now I updated to a full enterprise version.
For other clients of me I bought Cals and an update from 4.0 to 4.1.
Everytime i had a strange feeling when tranferring the money, but it worked in all cases.

DJS1234 · 06-26-2009, 02:18 PM

If you have a BES Express install with it's one free cal, could you add a 5 cal SBE license code to it or do you have to only use BES express single user cal's?

Cheers!

nobody7290 · 06-26-2009, 02:24 PM

regardless of the official rim license procedures, which I do not know about,
you can add single CALS which came with other BES Express servers,
or other 5 Pack cals,
however not BES Professional CALs.

DJS1234 · 06-26-2009, 02:33 PM

nice one thanks, they'd be SBE cals so hopefully will work with Express. I'm still yet to do a BES Professional install, I've read the stories about people struggling with BES on a Microsoft SBS server so I don't really want to try it anytime soon

voda_black · 06-27-2009, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJS1234

nice one thanks, they'd be SBE cals so hopefully will work with Express. I'm still yet to do a BES Professional install, I've read the stories about people struggling with BES on a Microsoft SBS server so I don't really want to try it anytime soon

SBE license will work - even if you started off with a BES Professional Express install.

christina2009 · 08-13-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdawg

I hate licensing; but I love this thread!

thanks for your suggestion