I am deciding on the New Pearl or the 8703: Here are my requirements:

1) Good phone
2) Email machines
3) Camera is convenient
4) Would like to have GPS/Tethered modem

Also - my company does not have a Blackberry server,.Current employees, forward their corporate email adress to their Blackberry's. But when they reply from the Blackberry, it comes from the Blackberry.net email address? Is their a work around for this or a software program that will reply from the corporate email address?

Is theri a way to se up the Blackberry not to recieve emails aftert 5pm and not on the weekends? I do not care to get emails after 5pm and on the weekends.

Based on this, do I need the unlimited data package or the new $29.99 package that has 10mb???

Wirelessly posted (Verizon 8830: BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

You are asking a loaded question.
8703 doesn't have a phone and a bit older device. Pearl is brand new and does have a camera.
I think you should compare between the 8830 and the Pearl

"Doesn't have a phone?"

Wow. I've been talking to myself on my 8703e for the last year . . .

You really should be comparing the 8830 with the pearl.

1) I can vouch for the 8830's EXCELLENT voice quality and speakerphone. I assume the Pearl is just as good, if not better.

2) Email capabilities of both are almost the same.

3) Only Pearl has a camera on verizon.

4) Both will tether.

As for your problem that your co-workers are having, they must not know the BIS (Blackberry Internet Service) website very well. When you setup an email account, you can specify a DIFFERENT reply-to address. So, even the reply is technically coming from the vzw.blackberry.com address, if someone replies to the message (assuming their email client respects the reply-to field) then the message will go to your original email account.

No, you can not stop the device from receiving email, unless you shut off the device, or turn off the wireless radio (so the phone would be on, but not connected to verizon at all.) What you can do, however, is create a custom ringer profile, which would not alert you when you get new emails, but only from phone call and sms's. The ringer profile capabilities of the blackberry system is totally amazing once you see how powerful it can be.

As for the pricing plans, you'll want the 29.99 unlimited plan, as long as your using the BIS service. If your company gets a BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server) you can NOT use this plan, but will have to get the more expensive 44.99 plan.

I recommend you read the blackberry faq's which can be found on this site.

-Adam

Adam,

Thanks for the info. Couple quick Questions:

1) So if I get the $29.99 plan, I can set up the Blackberry to reply from my Corporate email address thru the Blackberry Internet Service?
2) My company does not have Blackberry enterprise Server, nor do we support it. We run Lotus Notes as Managers and the reps have Outlook.

How would I set up the reply to for emails? Will I also have to set up the Blackberry to forward emails to my corporate email that way?

I assume my Blackberyr will do many great things, such as connect to our Siebel CRM on Demand system.

Your help is appreciated on the set up.

Besides the data on the BIS, what is the advantage of this data plan versus the $49.99 plan?

1 more item I forget, does the Pearl have built in GPS?

The pearl has builtin gps, somewhat. You are FORCED to use verizon's vznavigator. 3rd party apps will not work with the builtin gps, only verizon's vznav will, of course there is an extra fee for that. Support for the 8830 is coming soon.

BTW, BES runs together with an already existing enterprise server. I refer you to here:
BlackBerry - BlackBerry Enterprise Server | Integrate Enterprise Applications, Data & Wireless Communication

BES is free(!) for a SINGLE user, haha. But they have various sizes of licenses, including options for small businesses.

As long as you are on BIS, there *is no advantage to the $45 plan.* I have no experience with "Siebel CRM on Demand system", but it may work on your blackberry if it has a web interface.

Finally, as for setup, you're on your own now. You'll learn a lot along the way.

Good luck,
-Adam

PS- The attachment will answer your email "reply-to" question. Draw your own conclusions.

What do you mena that support for GPS for the 8830 coming? Will it have GPS without Verizon's Navigator service?

No, VZnavigator only. Period. You have verizon, this should really come as no surprise. Also, please, search the forums.

-Adam

Is the BES for Lotus Notes free? Will this come in a CD whne I get either the Pearl or the 8830? Or is there a download on the web site when I go thru the install?

I am just learning, so I seeking if I install BES to grab my email if it is free to me and would I need my domain info aand all of that from my IT dept?

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

follow the link I provided before and select "lotus" select pricing, next.

Is this it?

BlackBerry Enterprise Server Software, QuickStart Edition v4.1 for IBM® Lotus® Domino®
Includes 10 user licenses
A maximum of 15 Client Access Licenses can be installed FREE

Just to clarify the reply part: the way some of my co-workers have their Blackberry's set up is: corp email is: jsmith @ abccompany.com - that forward to their blackberry, they reply, it comes from

I know you can change the signature, but can you change the reply from email address? Even with the low $29.99 data plan?

Also, with the low $29.99 data plan, can I still access the free BES server as you mentioned?