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Developed by a Canadian company, Research In Motion (RIM), Blackberry is without doubt the most successful business oriented mobile data service with more than 3 million users worldwide.
Quite simply, Blackberry ensures that a copy of any email message is "pushed" to your (suitably enabled) mobile data device. Since the service operates using GPRS technology, this means that you can send and receive emails from virtually anywhere in the UK and in dozens of countries worldwide if you are prepared to pay for the "roaming" option.
Two levels of service are available, Internet Mail or Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES):
- Internet mail
Allows a user to have copies of messages from typically up to 10 Internet Service Provider email accounts forwarded to their Blackberry device. The user can reply by compiling messages on their Blackberry. - Blackberry Enterprise Server
Specifically developed for the corporate user, software on a dedicated server (that is located behind the company firewall) ensures that all of the communication facilities available at a users desk are replicated when the user is out of the office.
Copies of incoming messages are instantly sent out to the Blackberry device, attachments can be viewed, diary entries can be updated and all messages can be fully managed whilst out of the office. Clearly this can save an enormous amount of time and make sure that any opportunites are maximised. Blackberry is a secure method of working since is supports Triple-DES encryption.
As a guide to pricing, Internet mail will cost typically £12.77 per user per month, apart from buying the handheld Blackberry enabled
device there are no other set-up costs.BES costs are dependent upon the number of users, the customer must provide the requisite server and may need to pay for software and licences. Monthly service costs are typically £28 per user per month.
Mobile phone handset manufacturers frequently claim that a model supports Blackberry (or other push email solutions). Care needs to be exercised since this usually refers to Internet mail only and not the full BES Blackberry service.
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