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June 2007 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

Sorting Out Mobile Email Systems

Mobile devices are becoming indispensable to a large number of business users. The ability to access your Email, contacts, calendar and the internet while on the road makes for a very powerful solution and could make the difference between a sale because of your quick response or a no-sale because you didn’t get your message until you were back at your desk.

If a Mobile Solution sounds like an option you might want to explore, then finding out some mobile basics is the next order of business to pursue. Today’s newsletter will look at the basics of mobile Email systems, help you gain a better understanding of mobile solutions, and how ABCS can help you get the wireless freedom you seek.

 

What do you need?:

  • An activated mobile device with a voice and data plan from a wireless provider (T-Mobile, Verizon, etc) running Windows Mobile 5.0 and up or Research In Motion from Blackberry.
  • Access to the mail server where your email is hosted. This may be as simple as asking for internet mail settings from your wireless provider or network administrator.
  • Software to connect Email Servers with Blackberry wireless devices.  (NOTE: Windows Mobile devices do not require additional software to send or receive Email. These devices only require that internet Email like POP3 or IMAP is available)

 

Where is your Email hosted?:

  • Company Email Server
    If your Company has its own Email Server, then your network Administrator will provide you with the guidelines for using your device on the Network.  (NOTE: Firewall, device and software configuration will be necessary)
  • Wireless Email Server
    If you are using the wireless provider’s Email server, make sure you get it provisioned (configured) at time of purchase.  Depending on the company, different configuration settings may be necessary and the wireless provider should have the details on that configuration.  It’s recommended that you have the wireless provider configure the device at the time of purchase to ensure correct setup.
  • Internet Service Provider or other Internet Email service

If your Email is hosted with your ISP, similar settings to your wireless provider’s Email server are necessary in order to get your Email to your phone.  These settings are widely available and with a little knowledge, fairly easy to setup.  If you have a free Yahoo! account or similar, you may need to purchase an upgraded account to allow access to your message from a software client.

Types of Mobile Email Clients:

Although there are other solutions available, such as the Palm One Treo, Research in Motion Blackberries and Windows Mobile devices currently lead the industry in mobile Email software.  Both types of devices provide wireless access to Email, contact, calendar information, and the internet while providing the highest level of compatibility to existing networks and file types.
 
How does your data get to your device?:

Whether you choose a Blackberry or Windows Mobile Device, your device will use your Wireless Providers Network to send and receive both voice and data packets.  As you might expect, there are separate charges for voice and data and it is important that your wireless provider explain the plan and the amount of data transfer you are allowed.  Similar to how voice is based on minutes, data is based on megabytes or amount of data downloaded.  Most wireless providers offer a monthly allotment of data transfer for an additional monthly fee.  Overages beyond this allotment will add up quickly (even more so than your voice plan).  If you are planning on downloading and viewing Email attachments, the 5 MB per month plan probably would get burned up in your first few usages.  Wireless providers have different pricing models and it is important that you choose one that will allow you the freedom to access data as you need it. 

After you have the data plan, software or settings on your mail server will send out your messages and data to your wireless provider’s network and are then forwarded to your phone.  In some cases, “Push Technology” is used, where messages are automatically forwarded to your phone.  In other cases, you may have to initiate a connection to get your messages and data.

Does your device need additional Software to Communicate?:

As mentioned above, Wireless Devices running Research In Motion’s BlackBerry devices require Desktop Software or the Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) to allow a connection to Email servers from wireless networks.  In addition, the BlackBerry Enterprise Server requires its own administration program to manage Blackberry users and devices, while Microsoft’s Mobile interacts directly with the Internet for sending and receiving Email messages. User administration is built into the Windows and the mail server administration programs.

While Wireless providers tend to simplify the process to make a sale, it is evident that additional administration and configuration (firewall settings, server configuration for internet Email, etc.) may be necessary. 

Advanced Business Computing Services has the experience and know how to help you get the most out of you mobile device.  Contact us today to find out more.

     
Advanced Business Computing Services :
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