| Microsoft attacks Blackberry with Windows Mobile data push |
Jun. 06, 2005
Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer announced enhanced messaging and security support for Windows Mobile 5.0 based devices, today at TechEd 2005. The enhancements include "direct push" of email, calendar, contacts, and tasks to the devices, through direct connection with Exchange Server. The capability will eliminate costs of third-party "push" solutions, Microsoft said.
The new "push" support leverages wireless features in the upcoming Exchange Server 2003 with Service Pack 2 (SP2), and will be implemented by means of the Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5.0.
Outlook data sent between Exchange Server and a Windows Mobile device is "significantly compressed," according to Microsoft, with initial tests showing network bandwidth savings ranging between 35 percent and 50 percent.
Streamlined security management
The Messaging and Security Feature Pack also aims to streamline management of device security policies through functionality offered in Exchange Server 2003 SP2. According to Microsoft, IT administrators will be able to manage Windows Mobile-based devices the same way they manage PCs and servers, through new features such as: - Remotely enforced IT policy -- corporate IT policy can be remotely managed and enforced over the air using the Exchange Server 2003 console. For example, IT administrators can mandate a personal identification number password to be set for every device and set recommended and mandatory policies, as well as set exception lists for users to be exempt from these policies.
- Local and remote "device wipe" -- gives IT administrators the ability to remove all information, over the air, and reset a device to its original state in case it is lost or stolen. The administrator can also choose to have the local memory on a device erased if the correct password is not entered after a designated number of attempts.
- Certificate-based authentication -- this feature is said to enable users to gain access to a corporate network without using a separate password and eliminates the need to store corporate login credentials on the mobile device.
Not the end of the world for RIM
According to a related news item at eWEEK, Microsoft's feature pack won't work with older versions of Exchange or with competitors' email servers, leaving some advantages to wireless push email services such as Research In Motion Ltd.'s Blackberry.
However, eWEEK quotes Peter DeNatale, vice president of IT for Boston-based Mentor Network, as saying: "If, in fact, it is as seamless as they're marketing it to be, it would significantly reduce some of our support costs. RIM is very expensive to support." Mentor Network is moving to Exchange 2003.
Availability
The new data "push" and security management capabilities will be available in the fall, according to Microsoft.
Related stories:
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