I have a client that has 3 BlackBerr(ies?). They are using Small Business Server 2003 R2. They want to be able to sync Email, Calendar, and Contacts wirelessly with Exchange.

My question is what (if anything) do they need to purchase to make this possible on their wireless networks? They don't need any advance administration, just email, calendar, and contacts.

If they could do this for free (as it would be with Windows Mobile 5 or 6 with DirectPush), that would be ideal.

Thanks,
Matt

For three users they can't do this for free, per se. You need BES (BlackBerry Enterprise Server). This comes in various guises, but you could install the free one-user BES Express version and upgrade the licenses. Note that it is not recommended to install BES on the same server as Exchange itself, although I understand it works.

I gather the new BlackBerry Professional is setting itself up as a cut-down BES which is good for a few BBs. There is an introductory offer to get this free with the purchase of 5 BBs.

One other point: assuming you are already using the BBs: you may need to change your service plan to an enterprise type plan to allow syncing with BES, rather than just the BIS.

Don't be too discouraged by this. Personally, I found BES for a small business (also running SBS 2003 R2) to be an absolute pain to set up, but once going it has been rock solid and has worked faultlessly.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry 8700g: BlackBerry8320/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

They could also work with a hosted BES service such as ExchangeMyMail. This service allows for the wireless synch of the aforementioned items, but the administration of the BES server is done by a separate company. They would pay a monthly fee (I believe about $10 a month after a $39 setup fee) and they would receive the benefits of BES service. Like tobyw said they would need to enable the BES capabilities of the BlackBerry via the carrier first.

For just three users, I agree that the hosted solution would be the better option, at least initially.

However, perhaps they need to look at the need for wireless sync for calendar and contacts. They could use BIS for email, which comes with the BB plan and sync calendar and contacts using Desktop Manager. My guess is that many who think they need the wireless calendar and contacts really don't need it, at least initially. Plus it will save a few bucks too. The BIS dataplan is cheaper as well.

Do you know the name or websites for those hosting services?


Thanks for your replies.

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A previous reply to you mentioned ExchangeMyMail which you'll find on the list above as well as others.