I will be returning my current 8700 for a new one. I have backed up my blackberry via desktop manager.

I have done some forum searches for restoring advise and see conflicting information. I think it works like:

1. hook up new 8700 to desktop manager
2. delete desktop sync service book
3. do a selective restore
4. disconnect and then reconnect to get the sync service book back

Does this sound right?

Will this restore replace my installed third party applications?

Also, I subscribe to a third party BES (exchangemymail) - will I need to do a new enterprise activation or will the restore put that info in place?

Correct,

3rd party apps will not transfer. For your BES, changing your PIN and IMEI should transfer all your account settings