BlackBerry vs vs Windows Mobile 6... · Web viewWhen connected to the PC, the BlackBerry can sync...

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Windows Mobile 6 and Windows Mobile 6 and BlackBerry E-mail Solution BlackBerry E-mail Solution Comparison Comparison for enterprise e-mail users (Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Service Pack 2, or later) January 1, 2008 © 2008 Marquis Mobile Solutions, Inc.

Transcript of BlackBerry vs vs Windows Mobile 6... · Web viewWhen connected to the PC, the BlackBerry can sync...

Page 1: BlackBerry vs vs Windows Mobile 6... · Web viewWhen connected to the PC, the BlackBerry can sync with Outlook, Outlook Express, ACT!, Lotus Notes, GroupWise, Lotus Organizer, ASCII,

Windows Mobile 6 and BlackBerryWindows Mobile 6 and BlackBerry E-mail Solution ComparisonE-mail Solution Comparison

for enterprise e-mail users

(Microsoft Exchange Server 2003,Service Pack 2, or later)

January 1, 2008© 2008 Marquis Mobile Solutions, Inc.

______________________________________________Marquis Mobile Solutions, Inc.

830 New Century Boulevard South, Maplewood, MN 55119

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+1 (612) 701-2019 www.MarquisMS.comThis is a pretty thick document for being a simple comparison of two e-mail solutions. The fact of the matter is that this really isn’t a simple comparison. A single page feature grid just can’t tell the story of the similarities and the differences between the BlackBerry and Windows Mobile e-mail solutions. To fully appreciate each solution, you will need to understand the comparison presented here. By the end of the document, you should recognize that both solutions have their strengths and weaknesses, and that both solutions are great solutions for right customers.

This comparison is based on the assumption that your company has already deployed Microsoft Exchange 2003, Service Pack 2, or later. This is required in order for Windows Mobile 6 to perform as it is outlined in the comparisons. For the sake of comparison; Exchange will always refer to Exchange 2003, Service Pack 2, or later, Windows Mobile will always refer to Windows Mobile 6, BlackBerry will always refer to a handheld with 4.2 or later operating system. BlackBerry Enterprise Server, or BES, will always refer to BES 4.0 or later.

SERVER ENVIRONMENT

Windows Mobile 6

If your company has already deployed Microsoft Exchange 2003, Service Pack 2, or later, no additional hardware or software is required in the server environment. This means that there will be no expenses for additional server hardware, server software, solution software, or installation services. However, this does not mean that there are no server side costs to the Windows Mobile 6 solution. If your company out-sources its server support, there is a chance that they may need to pay someone to configure the server properly for this solution. And, while this solution is part of the overall Microsoft Exchange environment, adding functionality to the system can lead to additional costs of maintaining and administering the added functionality. This impact will be dependent on the size of the deployment. Adding a lot of wireless users will require more administration than adding just a few.

Windows Mobile handhelds allow you to work with several e-mail accounts on one handheld. This means that you can monitor your work and personal e-mail accounts while you are on the go. Each account also gets its own “mailbox” on your handheld so you can keep each account separate from the others. While Windows Mobile only checks for new e-mail on consumer e-mail accounts periodically, Exchange based accounts synchronize e-mail, calendar, contacts, tasks and notes in real time, as changes occur.

Windows Mobile supports sending, receiving and saving an unlimited number of attachment formats. The ability to create or edit these formats is dependent on the type of Windows Mobile handheld (Professional or Standard) and the software that is installed on the handheld. More information will be presented on this under Handheld Formats.

BlackBerry

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The BlackBerry solution requires that a BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) be installed. This software can be installed on an existing server in the network, including the Exchange server itself, or on its own dedicated server. It is important to recognize that the BES software is going to require some learning curve as well as ongoing administrative resources. While the investment in hardware, software and administrative resources can be significant, the security and control capabilities of the BES often justify the expense. It should be noted that there are BES flavors for Lotus Domino and Novell GroupWise environments as well. This is an important factor for customers who may have already deployed one of these e-mail solutions. For the sake of this comparison we will restrict our focus to the Microsoft Exchange 2003, SP2 and later environments.

BlackBerries can send, receive, and view several attachment types (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Acrobat, WordPerfect and some image formats), but you cannot edit, create or save these documents on the BlackBerry without third-party software. While some BlackBerries are capable of capturing photos, video and sound, all BlackBerries are capable of attaching these formats to an e-mail and saving these attachments to the BlackBerry itself.

Like Windows Mobile, BlackBerries also support multiple e-mail accounts on one handheld. On the BlackBerry, e-mail forwarded from your Exchange server will be displayed in the BlackBerry’s main e-mail folder. Consumer e-mail is displayed in separate folders for each consumer e-mail account as well as the main e-mail folder. This gives you the choice to view consumer e-mail accounts separately or alongside your work e-mail in one consolidated e-mail folder.

Summary

If the customer has deployed Microsoft Exchange 2003, Service Pack 2, they can save a lot of money by going with a Windows Mobile 6 solution. They will also have a more flexibility with e-mail attachments. If the customer has deployed Lotus Domino or Novell GroupWise, they will need to consider a BlackBerry solution as Windows Mobile is not supported on these platforms. The customer should also consider the BlackBerry solution first if security and device management are more than just a passing concern.

SECURITY

Windows Mobile 6

By default, Windows Mobile 6, in conjunction with the Exchange Server, uses Username and Password credentials for access authentication. These measures can be strengthened with root certificates that not only authenticate the user’s access to Exchange, but are also applied to each and every message transferred between the handheld and the server.

Microsoft uses SSL encryption to protect all content being transferred between the handheld and the server. S/MIME security is also supported. This brings a popular feature of desktop e-mail security to the handheld.

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Microsoft offers several methods to protect information that resides on the handheld. Users can set password protection on the handheld that will require the user to enter a password when they want to access programs and information. Exchange administrators also have the ability to wirelessly manage handheld passwords as well as a dozen other IT policies. Exchange administrators also have the power to “remote wipe” the handheld if the user reports it lost or stolen.

BlackBerry

Security is the hallmark of the BlackBerry solution. Where Microsoft transports your important information in an armored car with armed guards, Research In Motion transports your information in a tank, escorted by the Army’s First Armored Division. Both security solutions will be more than adequate for most customers. Where security is more than just a concern, but a deciding factor, the following BlackBerry information should be considered.

Where Microsoft uses Username and Password credentials to authenticate a user, RIM uses a secure key and handheld PIN number for authentication. Like Windows Mobile, the BlackBerry will also allow for root certificates to strengthen its authentication.

Where Microsoft uses 128 bit SSL encryption to secure your information between the handheld and the server, RIM uses either 164 bit 3DES for older handhelds or 256 bit AES for newer handhelds. RIM also supports S/MIME security for enterprises that require it.

The BlackBerry can be password protected, just like a Windows Mobile handheld, but the most recent BlackBerries can also encrypt the information as it sits on your handheld.

The biggest differentiator between the BlackBerry and Windows Mobile security solution lies in the control placed in the administrator’s hands. BES administrators are not only able to wipe the information off of the handheld, they can also remove the operating system. This means that even though the information is wiped from a Windows Mobile handheld, the handheld is still as usable as if the thief took it off of the store shelf. The BlackBerry solution gives administrators the tools to render the handheld completely useless to anyone who may recover it. BES administrators do have quite a few policies that they can choose to administer. In fact, the BlackBerry IT Policy Reference Guide contains over 200 policy rules that can be administered wirelessly. Of those, almost half are security specific.

Summary

The majority of customers are going to be well served by the security features of both solutions. If security is a hot button issue, you should look at the security aspects of the BlackBerry solution.

SYNCHRONIZATION

Windows Mobile 6

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Windows Mobile 6 allows for wireless synchronization of E-Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and Notes to the Exchange Server. These applications can also be synced to a PC, along with Favorites, Files and Media, using an application called ActiveSync or Windows Mobile Device Center on Microsoft Vista computers. ActiveSync is found on a CD that comes with the handheld. E-Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and Notes can only be synced to Exchange or Outlook. Favorites are only synced with Internet Explorer. Other synchronization pairings are available with 3rd party applications.

BlackBerry

The BlackBerry allows for wireless synchronization of E-Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Memos with the Exchange Server. When connected to the PC, the BlackBerry can sync with Outlook, Outlook Express, ACT!, Lotus Notes, GroupWise, Lotus Organizer, ASCII, and Netscape. PC synchronization is handled by BlackBerry Desktop Manager which is found on a CD accompanying the BlackBerry. Password Keeper, Saved Messages, and other features of the BlackBerry are not “synchronized” per se, but they are backed up onto the server. If the user loses their handheld, these features will be restored when a new handheld is activated on the server.

Summary

Again, both products are going to serve the customer well. BlackBerry adds a few more personal information management (PIM) applications that it is compatible with. If you customer is using something other than Outlook, and it is listed above, this may be a deciding factor.

HANDHELD FORMATS

Windows Mobile 6

There are several different formats to Windows Mobile 6 handhelds on the market. Microsoft puts them into two categories.

Windows Mobile 6 Professional – These handhelds include Pocket Outlook for E-Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Memos; Office Mobile for Word, Excel and PowerPoint; an Acrobat viewer; Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer. Manufacturers and carriers may add additional applications on the handheld or an accompanying CD. Users are able to create and edit documents using Word Mobile and Excel Mobile on Windows Mobile 6 Professional handhelds.

These handhelds will have a touch sensitive screen with a stylus. Other features that are optional to the design include an integrated QWERTY keyboard, camera, speakerphone, WiFi, Bluetooth and a memory card slot, just to name a few.

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AT&T Tilt Verizon Wireless Palm Treo 700wx

Windows Mobile 6 Standard – These handhelds include Pocket Outlook for E-Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Memos; Office Mobile for Word, Excel and PowerPoint; an Acrobat viewer; Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer. Manufacturers and carriers may add additional applications on the handheld or an accompanying CD. Users are able to edit, but not create, documents using Word Mobile and Excel Mobile on Windows Mobile 6 Standard handhelds.

These handhelds are usually smaller than the Pocket PC Phones and will have a directional “D-Pad” instead of a touch sensitive screen with a stylus. Other features that are optional to the design include a camera, speakerphone, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a memory card slot, just to name a few.

T-Mobile Dash Verizon Samsung SCH-i760

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BlackBerry

While several companies are licensed to manufacture handhelds that use the BlackBerry operating system, Research In Motion (RIM) is the only manufacturer who’s handhelds are available in the United States at this time. While RIM has several models to choose from, they also fall into two categories; Handhelds and Business Phones. All BlackBerries include the following applications; Messages, Address Book, Calendar, Tasks, MemoPad, Media and BlackBerry Browser.

BlackBerry Handhelds – These handhelds have a full QWERTY keypad and a trackball for interacting with the handheld. While all current handhelds include Bluetooth, speakerphone and a memory card slot, some units also include a camera, GPS, or even WiFi.

T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve (8320) Sprint BlackBerry 8830

BlackBerry Business Phone – The Business Phones are more “phone-like” in size and feel. These handhelds have a SureType QWERTY keypad and a trackball for interacting with the handheld. The keyboard is laid out in a QWERTY organization, but has 2 letters to a key. While all Business Phones include a camera, Bluetooth, memory card slot and speakerphone, some also include GPS.

Sprint BlackBerry Pearl (8130) T-Mobile BlackBerry Pearl (8100)

Summary

Between Windows Mobile handhelds and BlackBerries, users have a plethora of styles and formats to choose from. From a functional standpoint, Windows Mobile 6 handhelds tend to be

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a bit more robust. Unlike BlackBerries, they support the ability to create and edit some e-mail attachments as well as support more third party media applications. Users who have used Windows Mobile and BlackBerry handhelds tend to find the BlackBerry easier to use.