I have owned an O2 XDA for a while and I currently use an XDA II (Himalaya). I have now found myself supporting 8 XDA IIs devices and 15 XDA IIi devices, in addition to 6 Blackberries.
We are currently running Blackberry Enterprise Server and although I do not like the software or the devices very much I can't deny their impressive features. For the XDA devices we have a contract with O2 and provide wireless Active Sync and OMA using MS Exchange over both WiFi and GPRS, however management for the devices is a bit lacking. I am forever setting up devices for users who have hard re-set their devices or let them go flat.
With the Blackberrys the BES software can manage the fleet of devices, push software to them, define policy etc.
My question is, has anyone else used software that can manage PDA devices in an organization. I have been reading about MS System Management Server and its Device Management Feature Pack. Has anyone used this, is it any good, reliable etc.
I have looked into Blackberry software for the PDA's and it seems possible, but I would rather integrate with active directory and group policy if I can.
Also what are the possibilities of cooking ROMs and deploying them, such as getting rid of that damn O2 software and installing the GPRS monitor? While I am at it can I automatically collect log files in any way, such as the GPRS software or Active Sync errors (coz I get that allot of them). It would beet setting up all this stuff by hand. I will go ahead and give this a try anyway I think but I would be interested in talking to any one that has done this before.
In return I have noticed that there is not much information here on these subjects, and I would be happy to share my experiences in this area if it is needed.
Thanks for the advice.
I think you scared everyone off. What a scary thought, having to support that many devices. Just one is enough of a pain for most on here!
Well I have managed to configure the ExtROM of the blueangle deviced, and i am happy to say that my users can now take there xda IIs devices on the road, if they go flat, or hard reset, all is ok. I installed the demo version of Microsoft SMS server on my test network at home and i love it. Using this I created cab files that configured activesync, GPRS, VPN and browser settings that now mean my users only need to set the time, and put in the username and password and the hole thing is up and running, GPRS sync and all (my boss is very happy). All I need to do now is convince them to buy the software.
I am looking in to useing WMI to collect device information, and perhaps a .NET app to gather loggs etc.
Thanks for all your help. I could not have done this without this forum, cooking up my ExtROM and geting rid of the O2 software and even puting on a company splash screen are all very cool. (oh and i upgraded my xda 2 to 2005 while i was at it )
Some thougts
a cab to configure WiFi ? (registery patch?)
will the XDA IIi be as easy?
could i install tom tom useing the ExtROM ? to many prompts ?
and my origanl plee for help stands,
thanks again guys
Running 40 XDA2, some on a BES server, all using a flaky bespoke software requiring a BT connection!
Need some help on the MKROM stuff as I'm fed up of activsync 10+ times a day
Related
I've been running a project on mobile computing at work which obviously means that I get loads of cool toys to play with.
So today I connected my XDA II to a server (via D-Link router) running MS Exchange and MS Sharepoint.
Limited success with Sharepoint, it renders ok but you lose a fair bit of functionality which must be down to advanced IE features not present in the mobile version.
Exchange Web Access worked like a dream though (albeit, a dream where the browser window is too small and the wrong form factor!)
However I was doing 3 things at once and ticked "remember password" when initially logging on to the server and the damned thing just bypassed authentication from then on meaning I couldn't try different accounts.
So to the "does anyone know" bit, Firstly anyone have any ideas about clearing the "remember passwords" nightmare, tried stopping explorer, clearing cache and cookies and even a soft reset with no joy.
The main idea of the project is to give our key mobile workers (mainly our Directors) access to this technology, now I would never suggest that Directors are thick (and some of ours are anything but) however the process for selecting and connecting to networks seems bloody fiddly at best, anyone know of any decent software that makes this a bit more intuitive?
Gonna try and make time to try my BTOpenzone account out with the XDA II tomorrow, any thoughts?
For the auto authenticate part, why not just change your account password on your exchange server, youll get a refused connection and asked for password and username again.
I've tried owa on the xda2 and found it very unwield, so I use imap into pocket outlook instead check it just like you would pop3, infact you could use pop3 aswell / instead.
Forgot to mention, have you had a play with remote admin using the xda yet? I'm looking for a better way than the admin website (same problem as owa)
Good idea on the password, owa is being as we have an existing (large) corporate Exchange set up and want a relatively seamless mobile experience. When using notebooks etc away from the office we'll be using OWA so using it on the Xda's too makes it easier for our high powered thinkers!
Might just have to get some iPaq 4150's for the landscape mode while waiting for Xda III!
Not touched remote admin and probably not likely to, the final system will likely be installed in a fully supported datacentre.
Sounds like a fun setup, love to get my hands on a rig like that (probably bring the whole system down!!! LOL).
I think that owa uses editable html pages, so you could maybe create a more pocket pc friendly layout, I would think that you could redirect clients by browser type so that pc users got the standard layout, and xda's got the modified one.
I've found that if you keep the possible number of connection options down the auto select works pretty well.
Long time lurker, first-time poster.
I'm after some advice concerning using Windows Mobile in a corporate environment. My company is currently dishing out Blackberry RIM devices to anyone who needs email on the go, but we've got a really stable and secure AD infrastructure, and are going to go with WM ASAP for email, contacts, web etc etc etc.
Anyway, I've been tasked to bring these devices into the company properly; making sure the devices are fit for purpose, making sure that there's hardware support, and...making sure that they can be managed from our Service Desk, which is where I need some input.
I've used SOTI's Pocket Controller in the past and immediately had this in mind to deal with remote management. MobiControl takes this several steps forward and really does tick every box. I've scoured the 'net for other remote management/administration apps, but have more or less hit a blank. The only one that can be considered close is IntelliSync, but seems to fall over in several areas. Does anyone know of any other remote admin apps out there that can operate over wireless/cellular data connections? At the very least, I cannot deliver a choice of one to choose from, although I can't imagine anything else coming close to MobiControl.
Thanks, and well done everyone - top top site!
H
Do you use Exchange 2003? Either standalone or as part of SBS2003?? If so, Exchange 2003 SP2 has the MSFP (Messaging and Security Feature Pack) included, which allows remote administration - and remote wipe - of Windows Mobile devices (especially if they run Windows Mobile 6.0!!).
Another product from MS is the new System Center Configuration Manager (replacement for SMS) - this includes mobile device provisioning. There's a 120-day trial available, but I'm not sure when/if the product has been released yet. See this link for more details.
My company will be looking into SCCM in the new year as, at last, some of our senior execs are just getting wise to the possiblility of getting their email on the move (We won't be touching those "dark coloured fruit" devices with a long stick!!).
Cheers,
Mark.
Thanks Mark,
Yep - we're running Exchange 2K3 but I'm not sure what service pack we're on. I think our Exchange team are in the process of upgrading to 2007 - hopefully, this will also include some Windows Mobile goodies.
Most of our devices are WM5; I'm the only one running WM6, but most of the devices we're looking at are WM6.
One of my colleagues were talking to our Orange account manager a couple of days ago, and they mentioned Mobile Device Manager 2008. I will check out System Centre - thank you for the pointer.
Just out of interest, what line of business is your company in? From my converations with the other Groups within my company, the scope of this "investigation" has become rather large! Initially, it was going to be a straight swap for the PIM functions of the Blackberry, but I'm also now looking at GPS navigation via longitude and latitude co-ordinates, barcode scanning, printing via Bluetooth AND across the cellular data link, and a few other small (but useful) functions.
Can of worms...pop!
H
Is anyone able to tell me if Blackberry is going to work on a Polaris? And what's the difference (if any) between Blackberry Service & Blackberry Connect.
Basically I want to be able to use the Polaris with my corporate BB server.
Thanks in advance for any help with this.
speakeasy said:
Is anyone able to tell me if Blackberry is going to work on a Polaris? And what's the difference (if any) between Blackberry Service & Blackberry Connect.
Basically I want to be able to use the Polaris with my corporate BB server.
Thanks in advance for any help with this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plz, dont ask anything concerning BB in this forum... u r really off topic.
HTC has push email (and contacts, pim, etc...) like BB. Just check here:
https://secure.europe.htc.com/en/htcmail/index.html
So the answer is: YES, u can act your HTC like u can do on a BB
Anyone still using HTCmail after the trial period? I can't seem to find how much it costs.
answer:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=1823333#post1823333
ps. wrong forum!
Abbsta said:
Anyone still using HTCmail after the trial period? I can't seem to find how much it costs.
answer:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=1823333#post1823333
ps. wrong forum!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it cost 11 euro per month (12 months subscription)
wonderiuy said:
Plz, dont ask anything concerning BB in this forum... u r really off topic.
HTC has push email (and contacts, pim, etc...) like BB. Just check here:
https://secure.europe.htc.com/en/htcmail/index.html
So the answer is: YES, u can act your HTC like u can do on a BB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the question is valid. I have had a PDA for years and have moved through different version of device and OS. I love the features you get (including stylus/touchdrive screen) the ability to add many applications/themes and even upgrade to new roms etc not to mention Tomtom/GPS and push email from exchange.
I love the exchange push but my company are against it as they have been blackberry for a while and are worried about security/viruses and control of devices.
I recently was given a Blackberry from work which just turns out to be a basic phone with email...they work great but i cannot do much else. I have no memory expansion, MP3 player, not much decent addon applications, rubbish themes and no touch screen.
I would love to take the sim with its data tariff and put it in my Wizard or Universal or even my old XDA2 and use it for the blackberry service. I cant use it for excahnge push a it is disabled at the corporate end and if it was available would cost a fortune as the blackberry GPRS tariff charges extra for any data not going over blackberry.
I am stuck with 2 devices where I would dearly like to have one. That one would not be a blackberry but a fantastic WM6, touch screen, Satnav, Audio player, Camera, media viewer, media streamer from my home PC, media streamer from the internet over Wifi or GPRS, web browser, bluetooth stereo headset, voice dialing.....oh, and email from blackberry connect with my company SIM would be nice.
I think I am getting a bit bitter about this.........Sorry for the rant....I realy want Blackberry Connect V4 on my wizard.
Sorry if this is the wrong thread (mods, feel free to delete/move or tell me where I *should post), but . . .
HTC Mail is no good for me as it costs money. My company wants to give me a Blackberry but, like OhtwoXCDA2, I want a 'real' device. So, I'm hoping that the free BB Connect will allow me to get mail from my corporate Blackberry Enterprise Server to the Polaris.
And, to answer my own post, a friend who knows about this stuff assures me that you can simply install BB Connect on a WM6 device, enter the PIN fom the BES and everything will be rosey.
Confirmation from anyone else would be nice.
p.s. there's also a thread going on here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=360114
Blackberry Mobile definitely works with the Kaiser, so I can't see any reason (by looking at the specification comparison to the Polaris) why it would not work on the Polaris.
OhtwoXDA2 said:
I think the question is valid. I have had a PDA for years and have moved through different version of device and OS. I love the features you get (including stylus/touchdrive screen) the ability to add many applications/themes and even upgrade to new roms etc not to mention Tomtom/GPS and push email from exchange.
I love the exchange push but my company are against it as they have been blackberry for a while and are worried about security/viruses and control of devices.
I recently was given a Blackberry from work which just turns out to be a basic phone with email...they work great but i cannot do much else. I have no memory expansion, MP3 player, not much decent addon applications, rubbish themes and no touch screen.
I would love to take the sim with its data tariff and put it in my Wizard or Universal or even my old XDA2 and use it for the blackberry service. I cant use it for excahnge push a it is disabled at the corporate end and if it was available would cost a fortune as the blackberry GPRS tariff charges extra for any data not going over blackberry.
I am stuck with 2 devices where I would dearly like to have one. That one would not be a blackberry but a fantastic WM6, touch screen, Satnav, Audio player, Camera, media viewer, media streamer from my home PC, media streamer from the internet over Wifi or GPRS, web browser, bluetooth stereo headset, voice dialing.....oh, and email from blackberry connect with my company SIM would be nice.
I think I am getting a bit bitter about this.........Sorry for the rant....I realy want Blackberry Connect V4 on my wizard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are looking for this then:
http://www.asia.htc.com/resource/sea/bbc_web/index.html
BlackBerry® Connect™ for Microsoft® Windows Mobile® enables Windows Mobile-based devices to leverage the benefits of BlackBerry® wireless services, including BlackBerry® Enterprise Server and BlackBerry® Internet Service. Now, Pocket PC and Smartphone users can connect with email and other data applications and enjoy a familiar Windows® user experience.
Mi HTC Touch works like a charm with Blackberry Connect 4.0.0.92.
Yo can download the different versions here:
http://www.sems.org/entry.asp?entry_id=276
See also this page for downloading manual and Desktop connect:
http://www.sems.org/entry.asp?ENTRY_ID=225
Regards
speakeasy said:
Is anyone able to tell me if Blackberry is going to work on a Polaris? And what's the difference (if any) between Blackberry Service & Blackberry Connect.
Basically I want to be able to use the Polaris with my corporate BB server.
Thanks in advance for any help with this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi all,
I just bought an HTC Universal. Till now I had an old Wallaby and I thought it would be time to get up to date and join the great new future of mobile devices. Since the Xperia X1 is not on the market yet I decided to buy this Universal for the meantime. I didn't want to wait anymore.
Now I think I'll have go back to the old times
I couldn't believe it but it seems to be completely impossible to keep some files in sync without a cable these days!!!
Am I the only person on the world who wants to edit a simple Word document while I'm on the road?! Shouldnt that be the most basic mobility you would expect from such a device these days?!
Is it possible that even with the expensive evel Exchange Server you can't sync files, only contacts, calenders and appointments?!
If anybody has a solution or alternative or workaround PLEASE tell me! I was searching for days now and didn't find anything
Bluetooth is always a possibility.
1.: When I say "on the road" I'm not talking about 10 meters away from my Workstation. To walk around in a circle of ten meters is not mobility for me
2.: Bluetooth (XP)+Activesync doesn't work with Ranjus last ROM. Only with other ROMs which then don't allow to run Skype. So I had to decide: Skype or Bluetooth.
Hi there,
I think you got something wrong;
1. Exchange Active Sync is ONLY Exchange Active Sync.
So need to put your word document in an email as attachment. This is NOT Filesync. Never was ...
What you need to do is accessing your network via GPRS/UMTS ... (e.g. vpn) and browse a network share, get a document and edit it. Beware, this means an enourmous amount of data to be transfered. Be sure to have a mobile flatrate.
2. Though Bluetooth isn't an option for you, you should not complain about roms you decided to use on your own. Go and get the original rom. You can use Bluetooth AND Skype with it.
BTW: Xperia will NOT solve your problem, you definitely need vpn for what you want to do. Or, sync your files via bluetoth while in the office and edit on the road. Send back to the office by mail ...
Best regards,
Yea, use a VPN or use a FTP or use another HostingTool.
I use my own FTP with ssl, works well fine with Resco Explorer+FTP Plugin,TotalCommander Mobile,Orneta FTP,....
Hello everyone,
Eventhough I have BB Conn on my AT&T 8525, my company would not help me get it paired with our BES, so I had them get me an actual BB. Now I'd like to just pull the SIM card put it in my 8525 and use BB conn. From what I have read, this should not be an issue; but I understand that the device type will show up on the BES. Now I doubt they have someone monitoring with such a fine comb, but since They will not let personal devices on, oh yeah, nor would they let me get a TILT as a BB, is there a way to spoof the device type on the BES or is this something someone would be interested in looking into as my programming skills are long gone. Thanks in advance for all your replies.
As far as i know there is no way of spoofing the BB device so that the BES sees your WinMo device as a BB.
Also i think it would be necessary for you to redo the Enterprise Activation anyway, as from the BES's point of view you would be a new device, this would require the assistance of your BES Admin.
This same solution worked for me.
But I am using BBC 2 on my Wizard.
All I had to do is to get a good (that is: BBC compatible) ROM version(I hacked it) and AKU value in the registry (hacked that as well).
I was then able to connect my WM device to the BES using the BBC desktop software. The BBC desktop software seems to push the device PIN (which is different on the WM device than on the BB device) to the BES.
Works flawlessly. BBC has some drawbacks BTW: I cant cope with big mail or calendar archives, so you have to clean up your Exchange account once in a while. BBC 2 is a memory hog as well (and it seems to have a memory leak). But a weekly / bi-weekly softreset fixes hat.
I am still curious to get BBC 4 on my device. This new version seems to have more difficult catches.
A how to guide on hacking the OS in order to rum BBC is in the development & hackng forum.....
That's as maybe, but if the BES admin has set it up so that only an allowed list of devices are allowed then BBC will not connect.
Also as there is an existing embargo on personal devices could it be against company policy and thus disciplinable to circumvent things?
As a BES Admin I can confirm that non BBs show up as something different. We have a Nokia Communicator running BBC on our BES and it shows as a Nokia RA-6
jrosaly said:
Hello everyone,
Eventhough I have BB Conn on my AT&T 8525, my company would not help me get it paired with our BES, so I had them get me an actual BB. Now I'd like to just pull the SIM card put it in my 8525 and use BB conn. From what I have read, this should not be an issue; but I understand that the device type will show up on the BES. Now I doubt they have someone monitoring with such a fine comb, but since They will not let personal devices on, oh yeah, nor would they let me get a TILT as a BB, is there a way to spoof the device type on the BES or is this something someone would be interested in looking into as my programming skills are long gone. Thanks in advance for all your replies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ended up doing exactly what you have done due to corporate policy. However I have never even unboxed the BlackBerry they posted me. I had to call the helpdesk to get them to create a password for the Enterprise Activation but that was it. I then installed BBC (4.0.0.97) and just did the activation and it all worked.
I tried version 4.0.0.100 but it didn't work for some reason so I ended up using the slightly older version as I had seen various reports of it working. I think our IT department must know I am using a HTC Kaiser, however I think as long as I don't start asking for support they are OK with it.
When they created the password for enterprise activation it lasts for a day or so and then can't be used and you have to request another activation. I can see this being a pain if you want to play about installing new ROMs.
HTH
Andy