BES 5.0 is finally here and the Brightpoint GB Tech Blog have installed it in their test lab. In this post I shall run through some of the new features you can expect to find in this release. The solution has been re-engineered considerably 'under the hood', with support for Windows Server 2008 included and all server administration now being web-based. Major changes have been made the individual component services that make up the BES solution allowing for a wide range of deployment topologies as well as fault-tolerance, making it an attractive solution for both the Enterprise and SMB markets.

Server Features

Web-based Administration

The first and most apparent change in this release of the software is how the solution is administered. The MMC-based BlackBerry Manager application has been replaced with a web-based admin tool which enables the BlackBerry domain, user accounts, devices and device features to be managed from any PC with access to the BES.
The Mobile Data Service (MDS) and the Software Configuration areas are also managed via this web-based tool.
The Admin tool is accessed by browsing to https://(server)/webconsole/app/
The MDS Admin tool is accessed at https://(server)/mdsisconsole/app/
Internet Explorer 6 or later is required to access the tool.
Separate administrative logins to the web-based tool with varying permission levels can be configured.

NOTE - on my fully patched Server 2008 installation, which includes IE8, the Admin tool did not display until I enabled the Compatibility View mode.

BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager

The Web Desktop Manager has been available as an optional download for BES 4.1.x, which I posted about here (http://blog.brightpointuk.co.uk/node/95). This feature is now built into the BES 5.0 release and enables users to manage their BlackBerry devices from a web browser. This tool removes the need for the BlackBerry Desktop software to be installed on users' PCs and allows users to activate and deactivate their own handhelds, set their own activation passwords as well as install, update or remove applications on the handheld. Email filters can be applied, governing what mails are pushed to the handheld.
The entire contents of the device can also be backed up to the server and restored at a later date by the user via the web interface, or an automatic scheduled backup can be configured.
Finally, users can also edit the default signature via the web interface, rather than having to do it on the device.
The above features can be restricted by the administrator if desired, or made available or on a per-user or per-group basis.
The Web Desktop is accessed by browsing to https://(server)/webdesktop
Internet Explorer 6 or later is required to access the tool.
When logging into the Web Desktop Manager for the first time, the web site will prompt users to download and install a client application which contains the required handheld USB drivers and the BlackBerry Device Manager application which is used to install applications and certificates onto handhelds. Local administrative rights on the PC will be required to install this component.
Alternatively, the component is available in an MSI package, "RIMWebComponents.msi" that can be installed onto client PCs separately or via Active Directory Group Policy.

BlackBerry Enterprise Server High Availability

This is a new deployment scenario supported by BES 5.0 which provides for 2 BES servers to be deployed in a clustered environment with the BlackBerry database replicated between both servers, meaning that no single point of failure exists in the solution. When running the solution in an Active / Passive cluster, failover can be configured to occur automatically based on pre-defined thresholds which are continually monitored by the BlackBerry Monitoring Server (see below).

Support for Microsoft Windows Server 2008

BES 5.0 can now be installed on Windows Server 2008, both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

Support for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition

BES 5.0 now uses Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition as its default database back-end rather than the older Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine (MSDE). SQL Server 2005 Express Edition will be installed automatically during the BES installation unless you specify an alternate database server manually.

BlackBerry Monitoring Service

The Monitoring Service records up to 57 weeks worth of performance information on specific individual BES components as well as the connection status of the solution which can be reported on by the administrator. Thresholds and alerts can also be configured.

Support for IBM Lotus Domino 8.5 and Lotus Notes 8.5

BES 5.0 now supports the latest versions of both Lotus Domino and Lotus Notes. Lotus Notes Links are also supported. In Lotus Notes, users can include document links, view links or database links (also known as application links) in their email messages. Any links received in email messages on the BlackBerry handheld can be viewed in the BlackBerry handheld browser. Users may be prompted to enter the username and password if the target document is stored in a secure area.

Handheld Features

(When using device software v5.0 in conjunction with BES 5.0)

• Calendar
  • Ability to forward calendar appointments and view attachments saved to meeting invitations
  • Pop-up reminders containing conference call information will enable users to dial the number directly from the reminder
• Contacts
  • Ability to view subfolders of the personal Contacts folder
  • Ability to specify which subfolders of the Contacts folder should be synchronised to the device via the Web Desktop Manager
  • Ability to view contacts within Public Folders
  • Ability to specify which Public Folder contact lists are synchronised to the device via the Web Desktop Manager
• Browser
  • Support for Google Gears
  • Support for in-line video streaming
• Miscellaneous
  • Support for email follow-up flags
  • Support for the .wma audio file format
  • Ability to add, remove, move and rename personal folders
  • Improvements to BlackBerry Maps performance
  • Ability to set default download folder, wallpaper and icon layout from 'Homescreen Preferences'
  • Access the Application Switcher by pressing and holding the Menu key