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Systems and Technologies

ITS BlackBerry Enterprise Services - Overview

What is a BlackBerry?

A BlackBerry is a wireless data hand-held device for sending and receiving email, placing and receiving phone calls, accessing the internet and numerous other functions. It is marketed and sold by Canadian-based Research in Motion (RIM). The device operates on cellular and wireless networks, and interoperates with major e-mail applications to enable wireless e-mail forwarding.

The BlackBerry Service

BlackBerries work by redirecting a copy of your mail and calendar information from your Exchange account to the wireless network. In summary, you can set up a program on your desktop computer to redirect mail, or the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) that ITS provides can do it for you.

If you choose to use the ITS BES service, keep in mind that there are charges involved above and beyond the charges for the hardware and the fees for the wireless airtime. The actual amounts will vary, but you will need to pay for the following components:

  • The device: This includes the BlackBerry handheld unit itself and associated hardware. You pay at the store or through the vendor of your choice when purchasing all hardware.
  • Wireless network access: This is money that goes to the wireless provider (e.g., Verizon, Sprint, Cingular, or T-Mobile). When you purchase a data plan through your cellular carrier, the additional charges will be reflected on your monthly billing statement.
  • BES activation: There is a $70.00 fee for activating an ITS BES redirection service.

Welcome to ITS BlackBerry Service

Are you away from your desk frequently? Do you need to receive and respond to your Exchange e-mail no matter where you are? Would immediate remote access to your calendar, contacts, task list, and notes make your day run more smoothly? Then the ITS BlackBerry Service is a good solution! Blackberry is an end-to-end wireless e-mail solution that provides quick, easy access to your e-mail, contacts, calendar and task list wherever you go.

"Because I travel a fair amount and need to stay in touch while on the road the Blackberry has become indispensable to me! I know people appreciate it when I'm able to get back to them on important matters while I'm away. I'm trying hard, however, to make sure I don't become a 'CrackBerry addict'."
- Manny Contomanolis, Associate Vice President and Director of RIT Co-op and Career Services

Benefits

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  • Easily access your email without lugging around your laptop or being tied to your desktop.

  • Receive and respond to time-critical e-mail messages immediately, even in a meeting or on the road.

  • View and edit e-mail attachments.

  • Manage meetings in your calendar and receive instant notice of new or rescheduled meetings.

  • Look up contacts and task lists remotely.

  • Enjoy the security of knowing that, if your BlackBerry is lost or stolen, ITS can remotely disable the device and erase your sensitive data.

ITS BlackBerry Service is available to any RIT student, faculty, or staff member who subscribes to MS Exchange.

Requirements

ITS BlackBerry Service requires:

  • A BlackBerry device running version 4.0 or better of the BlackBerry OS (available from Research in Motion or from your wireless service provider)

  • A data package from your wireless service provider (such as Cingular, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.). Note: a voice package is optional and not required to use ITS BlackBerry Service.

  • An Exchange account from ITS.