Can’t hurt to have one more tool in the tool set.

I’ll do my experiment next week.

Thanks David,
Brian

1) Buy CAL ($99)
2) Install CAL on server
3) Use BES server software to select AD account that will be using Blackberry and generate password
4) Tell user to follow instructions in e-mail.

It’s truly a zero-touch deployment.

It’s worth learning how to manage both platforms. If your client hires a senior executive who is used to managing his or her life on one platform or the other, you probably don’t want to be in a position of having to say no. (If they’re addicted to Palm OS, screw ‘em!)

Good links.

Free is obviously better, but there will still be a deployment cost for the average user as it requires installation if SQL Express, configuration etc.

http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/server/offers/professional_express.jsp#tab_tab_requirements

One of my points from an earlier posting is that Microsoft SmartPhones are ready to go with zero configuaration on an existing SBS 2003 box. I can meet an existing client at the local AT&T store, help them pick out a phone and while they’re paying for the phone have their data syncing and by the time we walk out the door I’ve got Windows Live installed and I’m showing them how to:

1) Quickly dial someone by typing their name.
2) How to add a name to speed dial.
3) How to search their mailbox by sender/subject
4) How to use Windows Live as a GPS
5) How to use Windows Live as a complete Yellow Pages for every city in the US.

Pretty powerful.

I couldn’t deliver that level of service with a new Blackberry.

To make our deployments easy, we always install a 3-year GoDaddy certificate on every SBS box even if they don’t plan on deploying Windows Mobile.

Thanks,
Brian

I’m not a huge Blackberry fan but thought i’d share some things i’ve come across

Yes the blackberry software is expensive!

From a small business point of view you have two options

1) BES Express - http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/server/offers/professional_express.jsp

Software is free and you get to use ONE device (so i understand) and can then add extra licenses up to 30 devices….useful for that CEO/manager who picked up a blackberry on a whim

2) Blackberry Internet Service (BIS) - https://bis.na.blackberry.com/html?brand=mycingular

As far as i can tell this provided by the mobile phone comapny. Basically you get an online web account where you provide login details for them to login to your mailbox and forward any messages received to the device (IMAP usually best for SBS - it supports OWA but you have to turn off forms based authentication)

This is like a hosted version of BES

Hope some of this helps? I’ve recently used option two here and the client seems pretty happy with it

We’ve found that deploying the non-touch SmartPhones makes our lives easier, and our clients. We also choose specific phones that we use and are comfortable with.

Two-three years ago it was HTC, the 2125 and 3125. I was really looking forward to the HTC 720 then it was never released in the US, instead we got the crappy Pantech DUO. Now we really like the Motorola Q9 product across all vendors.

We stay away from Treo’s, like the plague, we stay away from the Tilt type phones as well.

I agree a restart every two-weeks helps, but I haven’t had problems of non-syncing for a week etc. I think based on your comments I’ll buy a Blackberry off of Craigslist and try it out for a week to see if I’m blowing smoke about Windows Mobile.

Thanks for the comments,
Brian

Everyone likes the first impression of being shown sold a Windows Mobile solution. What’s not to like? Mobile access to email, chat, view PDFs, edit documents and send them back in a flash, always stay in touch, even search the Exchange server? Are you kidding me? Thats AWESOME.

Fast forward two weeks later.

“My phone has not received any email in a week!”

“Everything is crawling on it, I keep on shutting it down and powering it back on, it just goes slower and slower.”

“The mobile web blows, everything looks broken”

See, the failure of Windows Mobile 3, 5, 6, 6.1 is that it shows great promise but falls so short of that actual promise that it leaves you with a black eye.

Thats also why people stick with Blackberry or jump to iPhones, as far as I can tell. They either want consistency or a shiny toy. Microsoft can’t seem to deliver either.

-Vlad

David has posted a link to his quote on your posting out of the SmallBizIT Yahoo group, I knew a number of folks would be heading over there and there would be some good dialogue on your comments.

Thanks again,
Brian