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BlackBerry Enterprise Server Splits Work, Personal Data

Date: Jul 08 2010
Author: Adam Dickter
Article ID: 1922

Bolstering its lead in the business smartphone space, Research In Motion launched an upgrade for its BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) Wednesday that allows more controls for companies whose employees combine work and personal data on their devices. The company said its upgrade offers "enhanced operational efficiency and cost savings."

Controlling Personal Use

The 5.0.2 upgrade, presented in an animation with its own fast-paced soundtrack on the company's web site, will allow users to access some personal calendar, e-mail and voice-mail features on phones that are locked for company use via the Individual Liable Devices Policy, but still block social-media access.

It will also allow IT managers to change passwords, lock a device, or surgically remove company data like e-mails and business programs from an employee's (or ex-employee's) phone without erasing personal contacts, all via self-service options.

Users can configure Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions encryption so they are no longer required to turn it on when using the Enterprise Server. Both users and administrators can use a single sign-on to access the BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager and Administration Services.

While the server update is available immediately, some features will not work without the BlackBerry 6 platform to be available later this year,

Canada-based RIM's BlackBerry still dominates the U.S. smartphone market with a 35 percent share, and is particularly popular among business users. Touchscreens are expected on the next generation of devices to stay even more competitive. The 5.0.2 server features, with their focus on security and attention to the increasingly blurred lines between business and personal use, are aimed at helping RIM maintain market share even as Google's Android, Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 Series, and Apple's iPhones add more business features.

"No doubt RIM offers the best-of-breed security for enterprises," said Michael Gartenberg of the...Read the entire article...

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