ActiveSync vs. BES - Email, Calendar and Contacts on your Phone
- By Melissa Smich
- Published 01/12/2011
- Unrated
Gone are the days when a USB, infrared, or Bluetooth was needed to hook up a network-connected computer and a hand held device. The two most popular technologies allowing emails to be sent from the given server through the handheld smartphone or tablet are the Exchange ActiveSync and the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). Each comes with its own set of pros and cons.
The BES allows for complete logging of SMS messaging, phone calls, and PIN on its server. Remote lock, wipe, and unlocking of the device are supported. Synchronization of email, notes, Calendar, contacts and other tasks is supported, as is controlled internet surfing. This means that internet access is routed out of the corporate network with an in-house proxy server. Lastly, it carries the ability to access intranet sites along with any applications which may be available.
The Exchange ActiveSync, like the BES, allows remote lock, unlock and wipe. Also, like BES, the synchronization of Calendar, notes, emails, contact and other tasks is supported. Unlike the BES, however, is the ability to view all old emails. The BES has a limitation on this. Large attachments can be downloaded easily with ActiveSync, whereas with BES there is a 5MB limit. The ActiveSync only works with Exchange Server2003 Service Pack 2 or later.
As far as the security factor is concerned, it is about the same for both technolo
gies. To date, there has not really been any known cases of BlackBerry Enterprise Server or ActiveSync being hacked. Cost is a major consideration when choosing these technologies. To be able to install the BES, a blackberry server is needed along with the license and if a number of people are going to be using it, then additional licenses are going to be needed. Furthermore, the BES only works with Blackberry devices.
Additionally, a technical staff to manage the server will be needed, the enabling of each device has to be carried out by Blackberry Enterprise services, and the cost of GPRS for faster email sync will be added. The ActiveSync requires no additional licenses as it come with the package, though excessive mobile use may require additional licensing. There may be a need to upgrade exchange server so enhanced policies and securities can be accessed. Any Windows phone or ActiveSync supporting phone can be used. No additional server hardware for installation is needed. The Exchange administrator manages the ActiveSync.
The bottom line is that ActiveSync is cheaper and improving with each version, while providing more freedom when it comes to choosing a mobile unit. It also delivers more of the basic email push requirements. While the impression is that BES is easy since it is a black box, in reality there is equal amount of work in terms of setup and management. So the real deciding factor has to do with the individual needs and not really what the technology provides at this point.
The BES allows for complete logging of SMS messaging, phone calls, and PIN on its server. Remote lock, wipe, and unlocking of the device are supported. Synchronization of email, notes, Calendar, contacts and other tasks is supported, as is controlled internet surfing. This means that internet access is routed out of the corporate network with an in-house proxy server. Lastly, it carries the ability to access intranet sites along with any applications which may be available.
The Exchange ActiveSync, like the BES, allows remote lock, unlock and wipe. Also, like BES, the synchronization of Calendar, notes, emails, contact and other tasks is supported. Unlike the BES, however, is the ability to view all old emails. The BES has a limitation on this. Large attachments can be downloaded easily with ActiveSync, whereas with BES there is a 5MB limit. The ActiveSync only works with Exchange Server2003 Service Pack 2 or later.
As far as the security factor is concerned, it is about the same for both technolo
Additionally, a technical staff to manage the server will be needed, the enabling of each device has to be carried out by Blackberry Enterprise services, and the cost of GPRS for faster email sync will be added. The ActiveSync requires no additional licenses as it come with the package, though excessive mobile use may require additional licensing. There may be a need to upgrade exchange server so enhanced policies and securities can be accessed. Any Windows phone or ActiveSync supporting phone can be used. No additional server hardware for installation is needed. The Exchange administrator manages the ActiveSync.
The bottom line is that ActiveSync is cheaper and improving with each version, while providing more freedom when it comes to choosing a mobile unit. It also delivers more of the basic email push requirements. While the impression is that BES is easy since it is a black box, in reality there is equal amount of work in terms of setup and management. So the real deciding factor has to do with the individual needs and not really what the technology provides at this point.
Melissa Smich
myhosting.com provides cost-effective VPS Hosting designed to help enhance productivity and maximize resources. With over 12 years of experience, myhosting.com provides a full suite of services from shared web hosting, to Hosted Exchange Email and Virtual Private Server Hosting services for SMBs and businesses of any size.
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