BES Express

RIM has recently released a new version of their Small Business Blackberry Enterprise Server called BES Express. We are strongly recommending that everyone start making plans to move to this platform for 2 major reasons. Previously, to utilize the Blackberry server, it was required to purchase an additional monthly plan on top of the basic unlimited data plan. They have now removed this requirement, meaning you can see savings of $10-20 per month per phone! The other savings comes from the addition of free CALs, which previously cost $99 per phone. Ask us about upgrading today.

Click here to read about some of the advantages BES can offer:

http://tech-pointe.blogspot.com/2009/10/blackberry-enterprise-server.html

Remote Web Workplace (RWW) is a feature of Small Business Server (SBS) 2003 and 2008 which allows you to connect to your computer at the office from any Windows computer with internet access. This lets you work as if you were sitting at your desk, with access to the exact same files, programs and emails.

The following directions are specific to SBS 2008. The steps for SBS 2003 are slightly different and will be outlined in a future article.
During this process, you may encounter errors relating to Microsoft Terminal services. If so, please contact our helpdesk. RWW often requires a few extra setup steps the first time you connect.

You will first need the web address to access RWW. It will be similar to: https://webmail.tech-pointe.com/remote. Once there, you may receive an error about a certificate. If so, just tell the computer to continue.

At the next screen (shown at the top of this article,) you will login using the same username and password you use to login to your computer at the office. After successfully logging in, you will be presented with the main RWW screen.

From left to right, you have the 3 options of checking your email via the web browser, connecting to your computer at the office, or accessing the companyweb site.
Upon choosing to connect to a computer, you may receive a prompt asking if you trust the connection. Make sure the clipboard and printers boxes are checked and then choose to connect.

After this, you will be presented with the login prompt as if you were sitting in front of your machine at the office.

Technology Pointe - More than just IT Support

What all can Technology Pointe do for you? We offer more than just technical support. We also have a variety of vendors we work with to get you the equipment and software you need.

• Dedicated, 24/7 helpdesk
• Dell reseller with Dell-certified technicians on staff
• Voice over IP (VoIP) Phone Solution provider – hosted or on premise
• Virtualized server hosting at our data center
• VMWare Partner – VCPs on staff
• Microsoft Gold Partner – MCSEs on staff
• Microsoft Small Business Specialist – Small Business Server certified
• Cisco SMB Select Partner
• Veeam Gold Partner

Here are some of the other products we support and have available:

• Microsoft Software
• Symantec Software
• ESET Antivirus
• Sonicwall Firewalls
• Cisco (authorized reseller)
• Microsoft Hosted Email with Outlook & Exchange
• Blackberry Internet Service

We offer a huge variety of other products – let us know what your needs are!

ESET NOD32 Antivirus

At Technology Pointe we recommend ESET NOD32. Offering excellent protection, it is constantly recognized among the elite of antivirus products, such as the AV Comparatives 2009 Bronze Award (http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/summary/summary2009.pdf) and a perfect 5 star rating by CNET (http://download.cnet.com/ESET-NOD32-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10185608.html?tag=mncol.)
Just some of the features you can take advantage of:

• No slowdowns – a common complaint with other products is that you are unable to work while they are scanning. NOD32 is one of the lightest users of system resources, and you can continue to work through the entire scan with little to no performance degradation.
• Infection Protection – ESET instantly scans any media you attach, such as CDROMs or USB drives, as well as all your downloads
• Centralized updates and monitoring – the corporate edition of ESET includes a management console which allows a single access point to manage all your computers from, saving you the time of having to go computer to computer

Running Windows Update

Windows Update is used to install the latest security patches to your computer. It is a very easy process and is a good idea to do on a regular basis. Please do not do this on your company computer - we manage those updates for you.

1. Go to the Start menu
   
2. Go to ‘All Programs’
   
3. ‘Windows Update’ should be located very near to the top


4. You may be prompted to download and install various components. If so, there will be directions on how to do so displayed.
   
5. After installing any required updates, you will reach a screen that prompts you to choose between ‘Express’ or ‘Custom’ upgrades. You will want to choose express.
   
6. There will be a delay as the update service scans your computer, then you will be prompted with an ‘Install Updates’ button and some info estimating how long it will take. Press the button to continue.
7. Depending on what is being installed, you may have to run updates multiple times, reboot multiple times, or reboot upon completion. Continue to run the updates until the service informs you that there are no more updates available.

Blackberry Enterprise Server

The advantages of having a Blackberry cannot be fully realized with the Blackberry Internet Service (BIS) alone. The BIS only provides simple email functionality. The Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES), when paired with Microsoft Exchange, offers the following:

· Calendar Synchronization – create, view and update appointments. Also accept and reject meeting requests right from your phone
· Address book synchronization – both ways. Look up your Outlook contacts right on your phone
· Remote lock & wipe – don’t risk your data falling into the wrong hands
· Painless – no more troubleshooting constant sync errors like with the desktop software
· Instant sync – email arrives immediately instead of in groups
· Backup of your important data – any contacts, appointments, tasks or memos you enter into your phone are synchronized with Exchange instantly, thus providing a constant backup mechanism
· Low price – the Professional edition of the server software itself is free, and comes with one free license. Each additional license is only $99. (Be aware that there is an increased monthly charge, similar to the Enterprise pricing of the iPhone and other models)

Ask us about getting your own BES server and start leveraging the full capabilities of your smart phone!

Setting up personal email on a Blackberry

If you get a Blackberry Smart Phone, there is an important step to take when first setting it up. Although there is a setup wizard that will let you associate your personal accounts, this will create frustrating problems later on. Instead, setup your Blackberry Internet service using the website. Each carrier has their own site which can be found by going to http://www.google.com/ and searching for “bis (carrier name)”. Here are a few common ones:

AT&T: http://bis.na.blackberry.com/html?brand=mycingular

Verizon: https://bis.na.blackberry.com/html?brand=vzw

Sprint: https://bis.na.blackberry.com/html?brand=sprint

Tmobile users can access BIS by logging into their Tmobile account.

When you first access the page, use the “create new account” button. After this, you will need your phone’s PIN and IMEI #s. You can find these by navigating to the options/settings screen, and then selecting status. After you successfully associate your device, you will be able to setup your personal accounts such as Yahoo! Or Gmail. This is not where you configure your work email.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions regarding this process or anything else about your Blackberry.