Frequently Asked Questions
Does Exchange Direct Push require any additional server hardware?
A. No. Direct Push runs straight off your Microsoft Exchange Server; you will not need to purchase any additional middleware or hardware.
Are there licensing costs involved in deploying Exchange Direct Push?
A. No. The only licensing costs you will incur will be the cost of licensing Microsoft Exchange itself. There is no additional per user licence fee you will need to purchase from your software vendor.
What version of Microsoft Exchange do I need to run Exchange Direct Push?
A. You must be running Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 with Service Pack 2.
Which devices are compatible with Exchange Direct Push?
A. Any mobile device running Windows Mobile 5.
What is the Messaging & Security Feature Pack?
A. The Messaging & Security Feature Pack (MSFP) is an additional patch required to run on Windows Mobile 5 devices to make them Exchange Direct Push compatible. Any Windows Mobile 5 device released since summer 2006 should already have the MSFP built in to its operating system.
Can devices set up on Exchange Direct Push be activated wirelessly?
A. Microsoft claim devices can be deployed wirelessly but this is only partially correct. While you enter a users’ mailbox details on the device to set it live (which involves no local synchronisation with a users desktop), you may need to install a certificate on the device first. To get the certificate on the device you will probably need to plug the device in to a desktop computer to copy the certificate across.
Can devices set up on Exchange Direct Push be disabled remotely?
A. Yes. You can send a ‘kill’ command from the server to wipe a Windows Mobile 5 device, however, the remote wipe must be user initiated. What we mean by this is that when you try to deactivate a device, a message will display on the handheld prompting the user to accept new updates. If they chose ‘Yes’ then the device will wipe, if they chose ‘No’ the device will no longer send or receive email, but the individual in possession of the device will have
access to all the data on it. If you want total server control over securely deactivating devices, BlackBerry Enterprise Server may be a more suitable solution for your business.
How advanced are the Exchange Direct Push administration features?
A. At the moment they are very basic. Microsoft are still new to mobile email and therefore the only administration you can perform is to wipe a device if it’s lost or stolen. From the server you have access to no device statistics such as which networks your devices are running on, the last time the devices contacted the server, any applications users may have installed, etc.
Can I lock down Windows Mobile 5 devices via IT policy, for example to prevent web browsing?
A. Unfortunately not yet. If you are concerned about what your users may use their devices for and want to control this, then BlackBerry Enterprise Server is probably a more suitable product for you. BlackBerry provides over 200 separate IT policy features which can be deployed to users’ devices.
I’m confused as to whether I should deploy BlackBerry Enterprise Server or Exchange Direct Push. What would you advise?
A. Contact us. We will discuss your technical requirements with you and analyse your existing systems to see which solution would best fit your business from both a technical and financial perspective. We can help you make the right decision for your business.
Adam Phones are fully licensed Service Providers for both Vodafone and O2