We are looking at getting a couple of handhelds for around the office for 2 types of users. We need to rule out Blackberrys first, as we use nextel for cell service, and blackberrys would fit in the group plan. Nextel doesn't offer treos. I have used a Treo in the past with much success, and am partial to the Palm solution, but need to make sure I do my homework..

The two types of users


* Mobile exec. Just needs to check email while traveling / conferences. Basically as an alternative to a laptop. Nothing time critical, 'push' not required.
* IT Needs email (preferably 'pushed'), text messaging from monitoring hardware, ssh access. (me)



We use Postfix/Courier IMAPS/POPS for our email so BES is out of the question (I think). Either way it's out of the question for budget reasons.

We use Thunderbird on the desktop with IMAPS, so I believe the blackberry redirector is out of the question.

As far as I can tell, that leaves us with either webmail or forwarding our mail to the nextel supplied blackberry address. Does this seem accurate? Any reccomendations for Linux webmail software that works great with the blackberry browser. We use Couriers webmail right now, but could obviously run another one as well..

What about admin tools. I see that Idokorro offers an ssh client. That's really all I need (combined with text messaging). Anything else that I should be looking at?

thanks
Joe

As you have above you have Pop set up. If youa re able to hit your pop server ont he outside you can set up the BIS provided to you from nextel to check you users e-mail and when they respond to address show yours. This has a 15 minite LAG, or you can forward all there e-mail to the Blackbery e-mail address and just set there outgoing e-mail address to be the work one so the Blackberry address is never used. I would recomend the Blackberry it's OS is very much like a Plam but the servie is much better (Basies View).

To setup the device to do it this way will require a little over head, nto to bad but can be time consuming. This option is viable if they are all company bough and could be configed before the user gets them.

If you have any questions feel free to PM me. I have done a setup like this on Nextel Blackberry for a Family members hoem run Bussiness and they are VERY pleased with it.