BES Server

[Money$hit]

Blackberry Enterprise Server. Has anyone implemented one of these? We are debating implementing one, and are trying to decide btw open source and Research in Motion's stuff. I just need the pros and cons of each, what you've experienced, etc...

My initial reaction is to bite the bullet and pay for the RIM software. Scale is about 30 users at the moment.

[scabzzzz]

What are your options?

And do you like support, or can you do everything on your own?

[Money$hit]

Id rather have some type of support. I cannot waste tons of time effing with the server or someones device all day.

[scabzzzz]

Do you run exchange?

[Money$hit]

Not currently, I will be the owner of that too.


*edited*

Are you asking if we have exchange?

[scabzzzz]

Ok. Well basically, you'll need 2 servers. One for exchange, and another for BES.
They cant be on the same server. They could be virtuals however if you only have 1 server.
I've had to deal with RIM's support before, and they are usually pretty good.
As far as others, I dont know what else is out there as far as a management push email software.

If most of your users are using Blackberrys, then BES is the way to go. I know James Crivellone likes Windows devices, and prefers Exchange style push email to devices, which is good for iPhones and Windows Mobile devices 6 +. I personally like Blackberry. My up keep is slim. Its farely predictable. Hardly requires a reboot (but its on a schedule).
Does that answer your question?

Licenses are slightly expensive, and the maintenance contracts are kind of pricey. Its an ordeal, but theres nothing that compares to Blackberrys and their reliable. Thats why they are a corporate standard for the worlds largest companies. If you're going to do Exchange anyways, you could kill two birds with one stone and just utilize the functionality of the Exchange Direct Push or whatever its called.


Edit again: Sorry my engrish is so jacked. Im working :)

[Money$hit]

our ceo, cto and cfo have blackberry... so i think were not moving to a microsoft push method. i wont argue w them... I liked my blackberry too when i had it.

We would be running a virtual machine, but regardless, we have the physical capacity to put it elsewhere.

[Kruzen]

well for one, the RIM one is fucking expensive, I think each user you add on the server has a 120$ fee or something

[scabzzzz]

Oh yeah, do your research like everyone else.

;)

[scabzzzz]

well for one, the RIM one is fucking expensive, I think each user you add on the server has a 120$ fee or something

$70 per user CAL
And you can buy them in packs and they get cheaper.

[scabzzzz]

Not currently, I will be the owner of that too.


*edited*

Are you asking if we have exchange?

Yes, Im asking if you run an exchange environment currently.

[Money$hit]

$70 per user CAL
And you can buy them in packs and they get cheaper.

they list $99 per CAL, right now. And we dont have the scale to get a huge price break, at least not for the foreseeable future.

[Money$hit]

Yes, Im asking if you run an exchange environment currently.

Yeah.

[Money$hit]

well for one, the RIM one is fucking expensive, I think each user you add on the server has a 120$ fee or something

It is, but Id rather build a strong argument to pay for it, instead of some open source jalopy project that will inevitably blow up in my face right when it doesnt need to.

[scabzzzz]

Yeah.

Just go with a BES server man.
Dont fuck with open source bullshit. In this case, different is bad.
If your higher ups have Blackberrys, appease them. Microsoft cant even touch RIM push email anyways.

My Blackberry gets emails almost 4-5 seconds before they even hit my Inbox. On my laptop, Outlook is setup for RPC over HTTP and its almost 20 seconds before emails hit my box. Just sayin...