I'm currently using BIS to OWA to access my corporate e-mail.

Works fairly well. I get the e-mail of my BB 8830 (Sprint) within a few minutes, typically. However, if I delete mail on the server, I don't see an update on my BB until I mark the BB message as read AND wait 30 minutes-2 hours. Not a huge deal.

My employer has approved me for BES, but I'm wondering what I'll gain. As far as I can tell, moving to BES will give me: wireless and real-time sync of calendar (I current sync via cale), access to intranet web sites, and access to corporate directory. On the downside, I'm subject to their IT policy and, as they say, they now "own" my BB.

If all I get is calendar sync (what about address, task, and memo?) and access to corporate websites/directory, it doesn't seem worthwhile to switch to BES because of the "we own your BB" and IT policy.

Or is there more that I'm missing out by using BIS to OWA?

While the lack of wireless calendar sync annoys me, I've been a Palm user for 8 years and I'm used to doing a wired sync. On the other hand, if the ability to wirelessly sync (even if not in real-time) calendar WERE available via BIS, I might go for it. Yes, I know that there are 3rd party companies that will charge me, monthly, for this.

Thanks.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

yep they will "own your BB"

Maybe a hosted BES is viable option

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

Thanks. But what would hosted BES get me that I don't already have with BIS? Hosted BES won't get me my corproate directory or intranet.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

That's tru.

I guess it boils down to do you want your company to "own your bb" or not.
Do they pay for your service?

I'm not super familiar with BES I was just throwing that out as an option.
I'd also ask what the IT policy restricts

They don't pay for service, nor did they pay for the phone.

Not really looking for how to get around BES, but what it offers me. If little, then I'll stick with BIS. If there's something significant, I'll bit the bullet and give in to my IT department.

Thanks!

Off the top of my head, you will get contacts and calendar wireless sync. You will also get full two-way reconciliation of mail which is quicker than BIS. Furthermore, you will be able to access your sub-folders in your inbox.

You really have to weigh up whether you think these benefits are worth handing over to your IT department. Putting any privacy issues aside - which you can find out lots about with a search - consider the IT Policy that they push to the device as has been detailed above. As an example, if IT Policy doesn't allow keystroke injection and you want to use a bluetooth keyboard you will be out of luck (unless they change it for you). With good reason a lot of corporations lock down devices relatively tight so you need to take this into account if it is the case with your company.

A final point is that you may have to change service plan. With some carriers you must have an enterprise plan to use BES as opposed to the consumer/prosumer plans that only allow BIS.

Thanks. I think this says it.

And thanks for pointing out the issue with service plans. I currently have a Sprint plan that allows BES, but part of the reason for my question is whether or not I'm going to drop down to the cheaper plan that doesn't support BES.

I would say go with the more expensive plan that gives you BES access, you have to figure you can still have a personal email set up on your phone. And the calender feature is very useful I've found. Also on the BES they can do alot of remote tools that are useful (reset handheld password/resent services books) and alot of the time some companies have dummed down default IT Policies.

Take my advice and find out ahead of time the details of the policy your company will put on your device.

I had a BES setup done recently only to find my WAP, SMS, MMS, Wi-Fi browser and BIS access all disabled, even though I was told the only impact I would experience was having to enter a password now and again.

For what it is worth, I have been mulling the same questions OP, and I came up with the following solution:

Downloaded todoMatrix and ideaMatrix to do my tasks/calendar (kind of)/notes and I use the BB native address book for contacts (todoMatrix allows you to import a contact in sort of using their delegates).

As for email, I am on TMo BIS, added my accounts to the BIS (GMail IMAP and Yahoo Biz account). I pay nothing, except for what I originally paid for the 3rd party apps, plus I dont have to worry too much about IT owning me!! You can get fancy and forward your corporate email to your BB, but you will have to remove it from your device and your email account (OWA or desktop).

I like this way because I can stay connected but dont have to pay monthly fees for something that works - half a**ed though (IMHO), dont have to give someone else control of my device and have apps specially built to not eat the hell out of your already minimal device memory. Downside is you are vendor dependent though on enhancements, but at the rate folks are cranking apps out nowadays, if you ask nicely, you'll probably get what you need and want feature wise. Just my dub-pennies...