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Removing user from BES - what happens to the handheld?

Exchange 2003 and Blacckberry Enterprise Server 4.0 environment, with handhelds using wireless sync.

If I remove a user from BES, what happens to the data on the handheld? Will it stay there indefinitely? Will the mailbox/data/contacts self-destruct when they're not able to sync? If not, is there a way to remove the enterprise data/mailbox without wiping the handheld completely?

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jdera

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pc3000

ASKER

Thanks, that's what I thought.

Gary Cutri

If you delete a user from the BES the data does stay on the handheld (it will just no longer send\receive any updates) if you didn't perform a "Erase Data and disable handheld" from the BES, or manually perform a wipe on the handheld.

pc3000

ASKER

Yeah...depending on who I'm removing, sometimes I want the data to stay on the handheld, sometimes I want it erased. Just wanted to have my ducks in a row before I committed to an action.

Gary Cutri

What I do for our users that need to keep data when they are removed from the BES is:

1. Change the users IT policy to a blank policy (this is so all restrictions are removed)
2. Delete the user from the BES
3. Backup the device using Desktop Manager
4. Wipe the handheld
5. Use Desktop Manager > Backup and Restore > Advanced and only restore the data they require (e.g. calendar, contacts and SMS)

I do this to ensure the device is clean of any BES settings and IT polices and only contains the information they require.