Freebie BlackBerry bonanza kicks off
Host your own BES for nowt
Regcast training : Hyper-V 3.0, VM high availability and disaster recovery
BES Express launches today, offering free software for those who want to host their own BlackBerry servers but lack the budget to do so.
RIM has started giving away copies of its BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express, which will integrate with Microsoft Exchange to sync up BlackBerry devices as well as offering the most important functions of its $4,000* big brother, in an attempt to sell more hardware as well as smoothing the migration path.
The new version was announced during Mobile World Congress last month, but is available to download this morning from RIM's servers. Also now available is a complete list of the 35 functions supported by 'Express (pdf), a subset of the 400+ available on the full blown BES but one that includes such important things as remote wipe, control of third-party applications and even the device camera.
RIM provides a useful comparison chart (pdf) for those becoming confused by the four ways in which a BlackBerry can be connected these days, but basically the Express version is aimed at BOFHs who've spotted more than a few BlackBerrys around the office and want to exert a little control without having to fill out lots of budget-request forms.
RIM is hoping that once indoctrinated, companies will decide to upgrade to the full version. If not, the company can make some money selling a few more handsets - the joys of owning both ends of the value chain! ®
* RIM has been in touch to remind us that the list price for their full version is $3299, so not quite four grand then.
Regcast training : Hyper-V 3.0, VM high availability and disaster recovery
COMMENTS
And why
does one still need /the worst excuse for an email server on the planet/ to run this stuff?
I know why...
Because the worst excuse for a mail server still has probably one of the better calendar/resource sharing setups out there, and people have been using it for years.
Personally, I've *love* to see an Free/Open Source product that handles calendaring, shared resource management (i.e. conference room booking), corporate address books, as well as Exchange/Outlook.
Besides, any sane corporate administrator has a separate mail gateway to filter out the spam/malware/phishing crap and provide a firewall to exchange.
Living in the real world
Because RIMs paying customers have apparently decided that MS Exchange is far more productive for them than the alternatives.
The full-fat paid for version supports Lotus Notes or Novell GroupWise as well as Exchange.
IT infrastructure monitoring strategies
Agentless Backup is Not a Myth
Steps to Take Before Choosing a Business Continuity Partner
Requirements Checklist for Choosing a Cloud Backup and Recovery Service Provider
Data control in the cloud
