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Blackberry on SBS2008

Hi experts

Looking for some advice/info around Blackberry integration with SBS2008.

I have picked up a client who has a SBS2008 server. They currently don't have any users accessing email etc from a mobile device, although they do have OWA & RWW setup & configured for remote access.

They now have a user who'd like to trial a blackberry device & sync it with their exchange account.

The telephone rep that manages their account has advised them they need to install BES enterprise on the SBS server to be able to sync to the device.

My knowledge of BES is limited, so i guess i'm looking for basic guidance on the interaction/compatibility of BES with SBS2008.
Do i need to install it on the SBS box, or can/should it be installed on a dedicated client/server?
Do i actually need BES or can it work with active sync? etc.

Thanks in advance.

Mike Sullivan

Hi cuadmin,

You can either access the email through BlackBerry using the BIS service and OWA or you can configure a BES installation on the SBS. It rather depends on what you want to achieve. The first solution will give you emails only. The second solution will give you full integration with email, calendar and contacts. The first solution requires very little configuration, the second solution requires a lot of planning and configuration.

For info: BES Express is a free download and doesn't require licenses so the only cost to install it is implementation time. It is designed to sit on an SBS provided you aren't planning on deploying to more than 75 users. The server does have a hardware overhead to consider, though.

If you want to have a go at installing BES, let me know and I'll point you to the most useful resources to get it installed with a minimum of fuss.

Regards,

Mike

cuadmin

ASKER

Hi Mike

Thanks for the quick response.

I'll need to talk to the client further about their needs, however they only have approx 20 staff in total, so BES express should suffice, although the rep i spoke with said i'd have to install the enterprise version. ( i don't believe he's a blackberry specialist, more a data/phone reseller).

If they're only after email, then syncing via OWA sounds like the best approach, particularly as they are only really trialling it's usage.

I'll post back when i know a bit more.

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David Atkin

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Tony Giangreco

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cuadmin

ASKER

The client has advised to go with accessing only email on the Blackberry device, so no contacts or calendars.

Does this mean i just need to configure server's owa address in the device?

Sorry if i'm a bit naive, but first time for me, so any links or info you can give me, i'm happy to do the reading.

Thanks for your help so far.

Tony Giangreco

Here is a link to the Blackberry installation docs
http://docs.blackberry.com/en/admin/deliverables/14347/

David Atkin

That link is for the express installation. You don't want the Express installation for just email. You just want BIS.

Look here:
http://supportforums.blackberry.com/t5/BlackBerry-Curve/How-to-setup-BIS-accounts/td-p/49729

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Mike Sullivan

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cuadmin

ASKER

Now i'm a little lost ;(

If i want to use the address of remote.domainname.com/owa, what exactly do i need to do?

Sorry.

cuadmin

ASKER

oops, sorry Mike, cross over of posts.

This is the info i was looking for, thanks heaps.

cuadmin

ASKER

Thanks for all the help.