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
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
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
So guys, I had a BB Bold and it fell and the screen broke. The next day I got the X1 as a gift and I was wondering what features I could put on it. The application that came to my mind was BB Connect and I went through this forum for hours got the application and installed it but I had the pin pending issue so i forgot all about it and got the BB Storm, fixed the BB bold and gave it to my girlfriend.
Recently my storm fell and the screen went bad so I went back to my X1 determined to fix it. Well, the R3A rom was just released so i updated my "vodafonised" x1. Just a note, the vodafone rom was crap. I'm in Nigeria and i could not do anything with it. i couldn't even hook it up to wifi. The GPRS settings were not configurable.
The R3A ROM is perfect. No vodafone crap, and I installed BB connect version 4 and it worked like a charm. I use the MTN Nigeria BIS service.
No Pin pending! The browser works perfect.
My advise, if you need to unleash the power of the x1 then you need to get the ROM fixed.
Please see links I used below.
OPTION A
The R3A ROM and update procedures can be found here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=446070
Note: The procedures above didn't work for me. So if you are having the same problems, please check out the procedures below.
OPTION B
R3A ROM here:
http://rapidshare.com/files/163578806/ruu_signed.zip
Update procedures here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=445662
Option B worked for me like a charm
Blackberry Connect here:
http://www.sems.org/entry.asp?entry_id=276
I hope this helps someone.
Very interesting! First, I am new to Blackberry.
Blackberry Connect is an application for Windows Mobile which enables WinMo users to have Blackberry Service? Am I understanding this correctly?
If so, my friends which use and show off their Blackberries gonna be stunned!
can somebody confirm that is working ? We had an "almost running blackberry" thread in this forum.
Confirm: Working
Hi Guys,
It's finally working. When I installed versions .103, .92 and .90 I got the "pin pending" story. Drove me nuts.
I tried the Sems .106, and this works on R3A for me
I noticed that R1A and R2A have a device OS ID which is "HTC-Kovsky"
(this is different to what you can set in the "About", it is the ID embedded in the OS - you need a hex editor to change it, before flashing the OS file back to the phone. See here post 302: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=294218)
R3A has a device id of SEMC-X1, and this seems to validate against the BB network and supplies a Pin to your device. I have read on SEMS comments that v.103 and previous don't work. So I reckon use .106..
Steps:
1) install .106
2) select sync options
3) install complete, restart
4) upon restart, connect to BB network
5) you might have to wait a few hours, because for me it connected, then disconnected, then after a few hours I went to the status tab in BBconnect, and clicked "disable" and then "enable" to kick start the connection again. Then after a few tense seconds it obtained the Pin..
Default Confirm: Working
Hi Guys,
It's finally working. When I installed versions .103, .92 and .90 I got the "pin pending" story. Drove me nuts.
I tried the Sems .106, and this works on R3A for me
I noticed that R1A and R2A have a device OS ID which is "HTC-Kovsky"
(this is different to what you can set in the "About", it is the ID embedded in the OS - you need a hex editor to change it, before flashing the OS file back to the phone. See here post 302: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=294218)
R3A has a device id of SEMC-X1, and this seems to validate against the BB network and supplies a Pin to your device. I have read on SEMS comments that v.103 and previous don't work. So I reckon use .106..
Steps:
1) install .106
2) select sync options
3) install complete, restart
4) upon restart, connect to BB network
5) you might have to wait a few hours, because for me it connected, then disconnected, then after a few hours I went to the status tab in BBconnect, and clicked "disable" and then "enable" to kick start the connection again. Then after a few tense seconds it obtained the Pin..
Reply With Quote
I can also confirm that works!!!! Finaly...
Mailing works great, but i cant make to internet browse by bb connection. Any advice?
This is probably something related to the BIS Service - I can't use internet also, but at my company it's not enabled for our devices.
Sapa13 said:
Mailing works great, but i cant make to internet browse by bb connection. Any advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not see any reason why Internet browser should not work. If you are on the BIS package, you will have a new internet explorer specifically for your blackberry connect. It should be in the blackberry folder. I don't know anything about BES>
If you have access to your providers blackberry page, you can try resending your service books. That should send all your settings back to your phone.
netsurfz said:
Very interesting! First, I am new to Blackberry.
Blackberry Connect is an application for Windows Mobile which enables WinMo users to have Blackberry Service? Am I understanding this correctly?
If so, my friends which use and show off their Blackberries gonna be stunned!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you are correct. It is for WinMo users.
Now you can show off your WinMo with BB capabilities to your friends and even greater apps.
raduci said:
can somebody confirm that is working ? We had an "almost running blackberry" thread in this forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Working !!!
damola said:
yes you are correct. It is for winmo users.
Now you can show off your winmo with bb capabilities to your friends and even greater apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you very much!
Calvin H said:
Hi Guys,
It's finally working. When I installed versions .103, .92 and .90 I got the "pin pending" story. Drove me nuts.
I tried the Sems .106, and this works on R3A for me
I noticed that R1A and R2A have a device OS ID which is "HTC-Kovsky"
(this is different to what you can set in the "About", it is the ID embedded in the OS - you need a hex editor to change it, before flashing the OS file back to the phone. See here post 302: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=294218)
R3A has a device id of SEMC-X1, and this seems to validate against the BB network and supplies a Pin to your device. I have read on SEMS comments that v.103 and previous don't work. So I reckon use .106..
Steps:
1) install .106
2) select sync options
3) install complete, restart
4) upon restart, connect to BB network
5) you might have to wait a few hours, because for me it connected, then disconnected, then after a few hours I went to the status tab in BBconnect, and clicked "disable" and then "enable" to kick start the connection again. Then after a few tense seconds it obtained the Pin..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
but i dont see .106 in the list provided with the link. Should I look elsewhere? A link?
jorao said:
Hi,
but i dont see .106 in the list provided with the link. Should I look elsewhere? A link?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi got it on the updated site. well i actually had to google it, and found it there:
http://www.sems.org/entry.asp?ENTRY_ID=338
http://www.sems.org/entry.asp?ENTRY_ID=338
btw,
1. Is it this particular version u guys are talking about?
2. Do i have to get my network activate blackberry service before i install it?
Sorry if these have already been discussed earlier, but those forums, it didnt work
BTW, i have tried, but havent got BB serv activated yet. I did noticed my phone was behaving weirdly, like screen will turn on at times, a bit slow. i finally removed it.i think it kwwp trying to connect to BB server or something.
Am using ITJE's rom ver 10.3, and device id is SEMC-X1.
cheers
Here it is...
http://www.sems.org/entry.asp?ENTRY_ID=338
By the way, my service provider explained that cannot use it for browsing.... There is in the BB folder BB browser but when i try to use it it opens Opera, and cant establish connection... Any way, mailing is my priority...
But one more thing, i have limited attachment only 60 kb?????
1. Is it this particular version u guys are talking about?
2. Do i have to get my network activate blackberry service before i install it?
!1. yes
2.yes
I had same problems until activated network service, and once when it establish connection and register with BB, everything back to normal...
I'm on custom rom R3A....
Sapa13 said:
1. Is it this particular version u guys are talking about?
2. Do i have to get my network activate blackberry service before i install it?
!1. yes
2.yes
I had same problems until activated network service, and once when it establish connection and register with BB, everything back to normal...
I'm on custom rom R3A....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thnx!!!!!! it works!!! i contacted orange uk first, they activated it. i reinstalled the bb connect ver 4.0.0.106 ... after abt 2 reboots, i got my pin no!!!
now the silly part ... is there bb messenger that i can use? i only managed to get my email working.
Will I be able to use Blackberry Messenger with BB Connect? Use PIN to text my friends such a thing.
Can someone make a tutorial for this application for newbie. And yeah same question does it mean we can get bbpin with this bbconnect program
I'm wondering also if once we obtain a BB Pin, could we then use BB messenger on our Xperias...this would finally allow me to mock all of my BB-lovin friends, as I would truly own the world
Installation is very simple. But be sure that you have new rom, on R2a and R1A want work.
Activate with your service provider BB service, download 4.0.0.106 cab from here http://www.sems.org/entry.asp?ENTRY_ID=338, install and wait until reeboot. In my case it immediately connected, but if not try to suspend then resume BB connection in BB folder that will be in bottom right corner on yzour today screen. And thats all folks. Other settings i did on internet site that my provider gave me. ( you can do it on the phone also BB folder-utility click on email settings)
thnx!!!!!! it works!!! i contacted orange uk first, they activated it. i reinstalled the bb connect ver 4.0.0.106 ... after abt 2 reboots, i got my pin no!!!
now the silly part ... is there bb messenger that i can use? i only managed to get my email working.
yes, go to programs folder,blackberry, inside is Internet browser.
and please, inform me do you have limitation on sending attachment, mine is only 60kb