Choosing a BlackBerry Software Platform

BES and Other Options for Completing the BlackBerry Solution

Jul 19, 2008

For BlackBerry users, selecting a smartphone and carrier data service is only part of the equation. Learn about the options for BlackBerry software to get data on the go.

Research in Motion (RIM), maker of the BlackBerry, sells not just a device but an entire solution. The BlackBerry solution includes the smartphone, carrier data plan, software for forwarding information, and their internal Network Operations Center (NOC), according to RIM. This article reviews the options for the software that must be installed on the user’s system to forward information.

Traditionally, the BlackBerry has been the device of choice for executives in enterprise. Therefore, most of the BlackBerry community was interested in accessing their work email from the device. The most common way to do this is by purchasing and installing BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) on the company network.

BES

BES enables email, calendar, contacts, to dos, and the personal journal to be synchronized down to the smartphone and is compatible with the three main enterprise email systems, Lotus Notes, Microsoft Exchange, and Novell Groupwise. The BES can be installed on the mail server for smaller organizations, however, a separate piece of hardware is recommended even for smaller organizations and would be required for larger user groups.

While the BES offers the most features, it can be pricey. Organizations must purchase the BES software, which retails for $2,999 and includes one Client Access License (CAL). Each BlackBerry user on the system must have a CAL purchased on their behalf, and additional CALs retail for $99 each. There are, however, discounts for bulk purchases (for example, a five pack or ten pack).

Additionally, organizations have the option to purchase T-Support. This allows organizations to receive new versions of the software in the future and to report bugs and get assistance from RIM. T-Support retails for $499 per server and $19 per user for Tx1, the lowest level, which includes support 5 days a week for 12 hours a day. Additional levels of support can also be purchased which allow for 24x7 support and other features for an additional charge.

BlackBerry Mobile Data Solution (MDS) is also included in the purchase cost of BES. MDS is a rapid-application development suite that allows programmers to quickly deploy custom applications to the organization’s user community.

For a large enterprise, the productivity gains of the BlackBerry solution may well outweigh the costs and time to set up the system. However, small businesses also have a need for mobile communications but may not need all the features, or be as able to bear the full cost of the BES.

BlackBerry Professional Software

BlackBerry Professional Software has the core functionality of the BlackBerry Solution – it allows road warriors and executives to see their email real time from the smartphone. It is much more affordably priced, at $499 for the server and 5 CALs or $849 for the server and 10 CALs. T-support as described above can be purchased for the same price.

Once an organization exceeds the 30 user limit for BlackBerry Professional, they can purchase an upgrade and move to full BES.

While the cost savings of starting with BlackBerry Professional Software are very appealing, there are a few drawbacks users should be aware of. Unlike full BES, BlackBerry Professional Software does not allow for over the air synching of contacts, calendar, to dos, and the journal. Additionally, it does not include MDS. However, most users are primarily interested in seeing email from outside the office, and this feature is included; therefore, for organizations getting started with the BlackBerry solution, MDS can be a great fit.

The BlackBerry Enterprise Server or BlackBerry Professional Software can be purchased from RIM or from a BlackBerry Alliance Member. The best value, though, can often be obtained from the carriers, who may be able to bundle the software with the devices and data plans at the time of purchase at a discounted rate.

BIS, BlackBerry Desktop Manager, and Other Options

The copyright of the article Choosing a BlackBerry Software Platform in Cell Phones is owned by Lisa Duke. Permission to republish Choosing a BlackBerry Software Platform in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.