Can someone explain very briefly the way Blackberry's email functions. I'm not looking for nuts and bolts, just answers to some very basic questions:
- Does a Blackberry check with an Exchange server directly, or does it always/ever use an intermediate server?
- If it uses an intermediate server, is that server managed by RIM, or the customer's mobile network operator?
- To configure Exchange email on a Blackberry, do you enter the settings on the phone itself, or via a web interface?
- What other email protocols can Blackberry devices use, and do they (also?) use an intermediate server?
You have a few non-exclusive options for email on Blackberries:
Notes:
There are two ways of using a Blackberry. You can use BIS (Blackberry Internet Service) which will talk to your email system via POP or IMAP. Your handheld will talk to this service to grab email. This is done on a phone-by-phone basis and cannot be centrally managed.
The other way is by installing BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server). This is an intermediate service running on your network. It attaches to Exchange and monitors the email accounts of whatever users are configured in it. In the BES console, you key the PIN of the device you want to link, and the settings are sent down. From this console, you can adjust folders that are available to each handheld, brick phones, change security settings, etc. You do have to pay licensing on this software in addition to changes to your Blackberry plan. BES integrates almost all the features found in Outlook into the Blackberry; contacts, tasks, calendar, email, notes.
Personally, if you have more than a few Blackberry devices and run your own Exchange server, I would opt for the BES system. It's flexible and much easier to manage.
I am not an expert in this area but I do have some knowledge.
As far as I understand it, it will always need a piece of middleware, the Research In Motion software ties with exchange and pushes data to the phone. In most cases, if you manage your exchange environment yourself, then you would also manage the server/software for blackberry connectivity yourself. Blackberry and/or your mobile provider might offer some sort of managed services for this, but you would have to check with them.
As for the settings, this is done remotely, you do not need to enter them onto each handset manually.
Blackberries can use most common email protocols, not only exchange. Such as POP and IMAP.
Two updates to this question:
Blackberry Enterprise Server Express (BESX) is now free, available from here.
BESX no longer requires an expensive BES data plan.