nz geek girl

BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express (BESX) is a new product from Research in Motion that offers a low cost solution for businesses of any size, with an existing Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft Small Business Server, to quickly and easily get started with the BlackBerry solution. It provides advanced BlackBerry smartphone business features with no additional per user or software fees.

End Use Features

BES Express delivers the latest end user features including:

• Follow up flags
• Mail folder management and remote email folder viewing
• Out of office set up
• Efficient use of data
• HTML email
• Attachment opening & editing
• Wireless firmware updates

Security Features

BES Express offers BlackBerry’s trusted, proven security features including AES & 3DES encryption, IT Policy control and built in protection against malware. BES Express comes with 35 Security Policies, allowing customers to enforce password protection, enable media card encryption, and disable features including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and IP Modem.

Remote Management

The BES Express management console delivers simple remote smartphone management including:

• Wiping stolen phones
• Resetting passwords
• Deploying and managing applications
• Managing wireless firmware updates
• Setting IT Security Policies

System requirements

BES Express integrates with Microsoft Exchange 2003, 2007 & 2010 and can be run on the same hardware as the messaging platform including Microsoft Small Business Server versions 2003 & 2008. In this scenario BES Express is certified for up to 75 users and an additional 1.5 Gb of system memory is recommended.

BES Express can run up to 2000 users when installed on separate server hardware. The system requirements for BES Express can be reviewed here.

Click here to download BES Express free from Research in Motion

Upgrades

Customers already running a BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) or BlackBerry Professional Server (BPS) wanting to install BES Express on their existing server hardware will need to uninstall the old version first; alternatively BES Express can be installed on new hardware with its own configuration database, along side the existing BES. Client Access Licenses purchased for BES or BPS cannot be reused on BESX.

BES 5.0 vs. BESX

The full BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 5.0 offers the same features as BES Express. In addition BES 5 offers an enhanced feature set including:

• High Availability
• Monitoring
• Enterprise Messaging (Lotus Sametime, Microsoft Office Communicator)
• Mobile Voice System
• Chalk push cast software integration
• Over 450 IT Security Policies

BES 5.0 remains a licensed product, with software and Client Access licensing to be ordered via your carrier.

Telecom New Zealand has released new functionality enabling BlackBerry firmware updates over the mobile network. This functionality provides customers an alternative to the traditional method of updating BlackBerry firmware using the BlackBerry Desktop Manager software.

Firmware is only made available on the Wireless Updates menu (Under Options, Advanced Options) once certified as fit for purpose by Telecom New Zealand and is only available for Telecom NZ Sourced BlackBerry Smartphones connected to the Telecom New Zealand XT network.

The firmware update process can take up to two hours to complete, during which time the BlackBerry is not able to be used for voice calls or data sessions. It is important customers read through the Minimum Requirements before commencing the firmware update process.

By default, device initiated Wireless Firmware Upgrades are disabled when the BlackBerry Smartphone is activated on a BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). BES Administrators are advised to review the Wireless Software Upgrades IT Security Policy for guidance on how to enable this service for connected devices.

Alternatively it is possible for a BES Administrator to manage and push the Wireless Firmware Update via the BlackBerry Enterprise Server Management Console. Please contact the Telecom NZ BlackBerry Helpdesk (0800 227 877) for documentation on how to configure this.

Additional Information

 The update package size will be dependant on the amount of changes between the software versions.
 The download will display a progress bar/status indicator during the update.
 All user data and installed third party applications are preserved through the upgrade using a backup/restore process over the network.
 After the upgrade process the BlackBerry Smartphone will be fully functional – no additional Enterprise Activation will be required.
 The upgrade process is robust and will handle interruptions (power loss, coverage loss).
 The process requires the BlackBerry to meet certain criteria (see Minimum Requirements section).
 The BlackBerry will automatically rollback to the previous version if the upgrade fails, a manual rollback is also possible if issues are found post a successful upgrade.
 Wireless Updates are not available whilst roaming overseas. Wireless Updates are only available whilst connected to the Telecom New Zealand XT Network within New Zealand.

Minimum Requirements for Device Initiated Wireless Firmware Upgrades
 The device must be a Telecom NZ sourced BlackBerry connected to the Telecom NZ XT Network in New Zealand
 The Vendor ID for Telecom NZ Sourced BlackBerry Smartphones is 255. This can be checked by typing ALT+ESCR from the main screen of the BlackBerry Smartphone
 The device must have 3G connectivity with BlackBerry data services enabled
 The BlackBerry Smartphone must be running firmware v4.5 or higher
 The BlackBerry Smartphone must have at least 64MB of available memory.
 The battery power level must be at least 50%
 For customers connected to a BlackBerry Enterprise Server, the software must be version 4.1 Service Pack 5 or higher
 The BlackBerry will be unavailable for voice and data services during the update period. The update can take up to 2 hours to complete.

RIM have released a version of their App World for NZ customers. You can download and install the App World icon onto your Berry via the BlackBerry Homepage bookmark on your BlackBerry Browser (or browse to http://mobile.blackberry.com from your BlackBerry Browser) Once installed, a BlackBerry App World Icon will display on your device.

The NZ version of the App World only has free applications for download at this stage but there are still loads to choose from.

There are some fun things to download including games, tools and themes – I am enjoying the theme ‘Tranquil Garden’ which has a motion background.

I have been using the new Bold 9700 as my primary BlackBerry for a couple of weeks now so here’s my verdict:

The main thing I was hoping for was increased battery life – it delivers. I am getting double the time out of it than I was the Bold 9000.

I am also enjoying the optimised browser – pages load super quick making it far more usable.

The trackpad I am still getting used to. I liked the trackball and never had any issues with it jamming. The trackpad behaves in the same way as the old trackball except when editing emails – the finer scrolling between characters with the trackpad is challenging. I have just turned down the sensitivity (Under Options, Screen/Keyboard) and think this has helped.

Last but not least, the camera and video camera are pretty good, I am managing to get good crisp shots from them.

For the past year I have worked with Gen-i’s finest Messaging Engineers to design and deliver a BlackBerry Enterprise Service Management offering. Customer’s can mix and match a variety of services to build the managed service that suits their needs, allowing them to focus on core business deliverables and goals.

If the mobile strategy is to deliver efficiency and system mobility using BlackBerry Smartphones then a zero touch support model make sense.

Using smart ICT as a tool to deliver successful results. Whether the successful results allow nursing staff to assist more patients in a day, or digitalizing long arduous paper based forms in order to free precious resource. Small businesses can grow bigger faster, Government agencies can meet their efficiency objectives in a sustainable manner, finance able to keep their finger on the pulse at all times.

Good skills. Smart decisions. Positive times.

Switching to a new BlackBerry Smartphone Demo

Just came across this Switching to a BlackBerry Smartphone demo by Research in Motion

they fit perfectly on a female head
they have a fabric cord that doesn’t tangle

they play decent sound

they have a microphone and call answer button
they have a fabric cord that doesn’t tangle

they are lightweight and comfortable

someone was thinking!