Ever since BlackBerry smartphones became the handset of choice for enterprise business users, RIM’s BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) has been the preferred solution for device management and secure access to business email.
However, in March of this year, RIM pushed out its new BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express (BES Express) in direct response to the challenges that the iPhone presented. Since its release, BES Express has received rave reviews from small to medium businesses that are now able to access most of the security, management and functionality of BES, at no further cost beyond their existing Microsoft servers; the download is completely free.
This fact has irked some firms who have previously spent large sums of money on BES software and CAL’s. They have now been left with the decision whether or not to abandon their old infrastructure and migrate to the new lower cost version moving forward. Of course, the download and install of BES Express itself requires a certain degree of in-house knowledge in order to run it successfully which may deter outsourced IT support who have traditionally been embedded in the benefits of MS push email.
From the end user’s perspective, BES and BES Express are very similar. Both solutions offer wireless synchronisation of email, alongside access to calendars, contacts and files stored behind the main server firewall. Both editions also place users in control of device management, reducing the need for further help desk recruitment, whilst application control and management is a feature listed on both solution specifications.
Conversely, there are also some distinct differences between the two BES formats, allowing companies to choose the best fit solution for their particular business needs.
Whilst BES Express offers more than 35 controls and policies, including the ability to remotely wipe a smartphone and enforcing the use of passwords, the solution allows the basic ability to enable or disable a particular feature. BES allows a user to prohibit the use of a particular feature as well as the advanced ability to control exactly how the feature is used.
BES also offers high availability features that BES Express lacks, configuring primary and standby servers, allowing downtime to be kept to a minimum if there is a hardware issue or during server upgrades.
Both BES and BES Express are able to automate operating system and application updates, although BES is equipped to make the entire software management process more reliable and user friendly. In both solutions application and IT policy updates can be delayed to minimise user disruption. Whilst BES allows devices to be activated and de-activated over the air, this is a manual process in BES Express.
It is fair to say that the majority of businesses will be satisfied with the controls and features available in BES Express, while larger organisations in need of precise fine tuning will be better equipped with BES as their chosen solution.
Whichever solution is preferred, it is clear that RIM have been able to go above and beyond the call for secure mobile working for all businesses, regardless of size.
I think your blog post was actually a solid kick off to a potential series of articles about this topic. Most users pretend to know what they’re talking about when it comes to this area and really, nearly no one actually get it. You seem to know about it though, so I think you should run with it. Thanks!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jake Petersen, Erica Jones. Erica Jones said: Since its release in March BES Express has received rave review from SME's – is it the right solution for your business? http://ow.ly/1MX5N [...]
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