Research in Motion (Rim) has unveiled the latest version of its
Blackberry Enterprise Server platform, optimised for large
enterprise roll-outs for Blackberry devices.
The new version now supports high-availability, web-based
management. Rim has also introduced BlackBerry MVS Server for Cisco
Unified Communications Manager, which allows employees to provide
call routing to Blackberry devices. MVS connects calls through the
PBX, which calls the user back as a local call, reducing the cost
of international roaming on mobile phone networks. RIM said this
allows people to take calls from anywhere without having to give
out their mobile numbers, which can be a security risk.
For end-users, Rim said it has improved e-mail management by
allowing users to flag e-mail items, allowing then to manage e-mail
threads more easily. The server also enables Blackberry users to
access shared drives on the corporate network.
Other features includes the ability for applications to push out
alerts in the same way that e-mail servers push messages down to
Blackberry devices. According to Rim this could be used to send an
alert from a SAP system to staff in manufacturing facility to warn
them that a certain widget is running low. or alert employees that
the company is having issues from a certain supplier.
In terms of management, Rim has replaced the Windows-based
management console with a web-based admin tool, to simplify
management of devices. IT departments can set 450 policies covering
what users can do on their Blackberry devices, organised by group
membership. This could be used to enable anyone in sales to access
certain applications and access certain web sites. As user moves
from one group to another the applications are installed or
removed.
Rim said Blackberry provides over the air software installation,
controlled by IT. IT can set policies so the download only happens
when the device is on a Wi-Fi or corporate network.
Thanks to its acquisition of a company called Chalk Media, Rim
said Blackberries can now run multimedia, which businesses can use
to distribute training and keep staff informed. This can be used
for instance by field service engineers who could run a video on
their Blackberry device of how to repair equipment when they are
on-site.