14 DAY TRIAL // Canadian mobile phone maker Research In Motion announced today the launch of BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express, a new server software delivered for free, which provides wireless and secure synchronization of BlackBerry smartphones with Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft Windows Small Business Server. According to the company, the new solution will be delivered for free so as to address a series of key market opportunities.
RIM notes that the new software solution comes with a range of economical advantages for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) looking for enterprise-grade security and manageability features that the BlackBerry Enterprise Server can offer. At the same time, the company says that, considering the increased number of BlackBerry smartphones being used around the world, IT departments using the new solution can meet demand for connectivity from employees.
The BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express works with Microsoft Exchange 2010, 2007 and 2003 and Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008 and 2003, and can deliver secure, push-based, wireless access to email, calendar, contacts, notes and tasks. Moreover, users will be able to access various other business applications, yet the new server software is based on the same security architecture found in BlackBerry Enterprise Server, RIM adds.
The new BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express offers BlackBerry smartphone users the possibility to: - Wirelessly synchronize their email, calendar, contacts, notes and tasks - Manage email folders and search email on the mail server remotely - Book meetings and appointments, check availability and forward calendar attachments - Set an out-of-office reply - Edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files using Documents To Go - Access files stored on the company network - Use mobile applications to access business systems behind the firewall
In addition, RIM says that IT administrators can use VMWare ESX with BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express, and that the software is running on the same physical or virtual server as the Microsoft mail server. There are more than 35 IT controls and policies available for administrators, while the Web-based interface enables remote administration and easier installation of software or connectivity of BlackBerry smartphones.