Introduction to Blackberry
What is Blackberry?
Blackberry is an 'always connected' wireless email setup that allows the sending and receiving of corporate emails directly to a Blackberry phone (a portable handheld device.) The Blackberry package includes everything the mobile user needs to keep in touch via email wherever they happen to be. Users can use Blackberry devices to send and receive email as if they were at their desk. All the usual tasks are available, reply, forward, delete, compose, open and view attachments. Blackberry is fully integrated with corporate email systems and can work in over 30 countries abroad. As Blackberry is fully integrated into the corporate email setup, users keep their single email address and IT people can securely administer and control the full setup. Push technology is used to send incoming email from the mail server to the handheld device. Using a seamless virtual GPRS connection allows people to send, reply and forward email whenever it is convenient.
The new BlackBerry Enterprise Server and new handheld software (V. 4.0)
Early this year (2005) a new version of software for the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and new software for handheld devices was launched, enabling end users to do even more with their devices than before. One main feature of the new software means companies who use Novell Group Wise can now implement Blackberry and offer these devices to their employees. Typical users of NGW are in the government sector, universities and the NHS. Key benefits of the new software: Wireless PIM synchronization. BES 4.0 allows two way synchronization of all PIM (Personal Information Management) of all PIMs so contacts, tasks, memos and calendar are always up to date.Blackberry can be used all over the UK wherever there is mobile signal and in any country that has a data roaming agreement with the UK network used.
- Automatic user data back up
- Device settings are automatically stored to the server - no manual configuration necessary
- Adding a new user is as simple as adding a device to the BES, giving the new user a password and entering this onto the device. All secure exchange of information is then done automatically OTA. All user data (Email, Claendar, Address book, etc) is automatically is sent directly to the Blackberry device
- Wireless email settings - Allows users to edit signature, filters, email re-direction and Out-of-office replies from the handheld device.
- Advanced attachment viewing - Users can open and view GIF, JPG, BMP, TIFF and PNG attachments. Users can also view graphics and tables within MS Word and PDF documents that are received.
How Does Blackberry work?
Blackberry integrates fully with Microsoft exchange and Lotus Domino, providing enterprise users with additional features including: corporate data access, wireless calendar synchronization, simplified management and centralized control. Receiving mail
The email is then decompressed, decrypted and stored on the Blackberry device and an alert signals its arrival. Sending email
- A new email is received at the ME/LD server.
- The BES is immediately notified and retrieves a copy of the email.
- The email is compressed and encrypted by the BES Software.
- The BES software forwards a copy of the encrypted message to the handheld device via the GPRS network.
This results in all sent messages residing in the 'sent messages' folder on your PC and will originate from your company email address. Blackberry redirect solution Blackberry redirect works without the need for any server software. Instead it uses software supplied on a CD which comes in the box when you purchase a single Blackberry handheld device. Simply install the software on your PC to begin using wireless email. Up to 10 email accounts can be added to work with the Blackberry handheld. Blackberry will pull email from these accounts into the Re-direct inbox. These are then re-directed to the Blackberry handheld. Messages sent from the handheld device can be configured to appear as if they have been sent from your main email address by changing the sent from address on the handheld device. It is also possible to limit the number of messages received on the device by setting filters that monitor for keywords. Blackberry is a wireless extension to your existing work email address. It allows you to send, receive, forward and reply to messages whilst you are on the move, out and about. The Blackberry redirector solution integrates with various email accounts including Microsoft Outlook (Exchange Server.) Limitations Redirection does not support all BES functions. You will lose:
- Compose the email on your Blackberry device.
- The email is automatically compressed and encrypted on the handheld before it is sent.
- The email is sent over the GPRS network to the BES software back at the main office.
- The BES software decrypts and decompresses the email, then forwards it on to the specified recipients.
- Wireless Email Synchronisation
- Wireless Calendar Synchronisation
- Attacment opening
- IT control tools
- Redirection can run only one unit. BES can run 500+
Why Choose Blackberry?
Using Blackberry allows you to have one single device for all your voice and data needs. The Blackberry devices offer full data integration, i.e. open a web page from a link within a new email, dial a phone number from a web page, send an email from your address book, etc. Key features of Blackberry:
- Fully integrated email - Access your existing email account wherever you are. View attachments, respond to time critical email communication promptly and efficiently.
- Phone and SMS - The Blackberry devices are fully functional mobile phones, able to make voice calls and send text messages as you do with a normal phone
- Organizer - The Blackberry product has a fully featured calendar and address book, which constantly synchronises seamlessly with your PC OTA. This ensures that all appointment schedules between the PC and handheld device are always up to date.
- Integrated browser - The Blackberry devices come with a fully integrated web browser allowing you to view HTML and WAP pages on your phone. This gives you access to the World Wide Web whilst you are on the Move.
