Newbie questions about BES-E activation

[bbking78]

Hi guys,

I am exploring the possibilities to run Zarafa and BES-Express with our BBs currently. The setup of Zarafa (some kind of groupware server) and BES-E is fine, we have one test device working. On this device the enterprise-activation was done by the network carrier.
Now we wanted to get the other devices activated, but the carrier wants to charge us the full BES-fees, which is about 23 €/month/device. Other carriers are offering BES-E functionality for the price of the BIS data plan.

I heard (and also read in this thread: http : / / forums.crackberry.com/f50/minimum-os-besx-548711/thread, post #5) that you can do a wired activation of the BIS-only devices by connecting them to the server physically.

Can you please shed some light on this stuff? We'd like to use BES-E and have also put some serious effort into installation. We also just renewed 3 contracts and have 3 Bold 9700 lying around....if the wired activation is not possible, we would switch to Nokia or Android, those support wireless sync without extra fees natively.

Thanks a lot in advance!

[bbking78]

Come on guys, 145+ views and nobody's got an answer?

Is it possible to activate BIS-only devices by connecting them to the server physically?

Cheers

[Tiassa]

I was told that was the case, but I haven't done it yet as I'm still in the planning stages of my BESX upgrade.

[bbking78]

Thanks, I just found this in the docs (http : / /blackberry.com/btsc/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=KB21 124):

Option 4: Activate a BlackBerry smartphone using the BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager (Wired)

Requirements: The BlackBerry smartphone must have an active BlackBerry Enterprise Server and/or BlackBerry Internet Service data plan with the wireless service provider.

BlackBerry smartphone users can activate BlackBerry smartphones by connecting them to a computer using a USB cable or Bluetooth® connection and logging in to the BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager. During the activation process, the BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager prompts users to associate the BlackBerry smartphone with their email accounts and to generate encryption keys. Once the activation process has started, the BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express begins to reconcile email messages and synchronize organizer data through the wired connection. If the wired connection is interrupted, the activation will continue over the wireless or Wi-Fi network.

To activate a BlackBerry smartphone using the BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager, complete the following steps:

1. Log in to the BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager.
2. Connect the BlackBerry smartphone.
3. Generate an encryption key when prompted to start the activation process.

I'll just give it a try on friday and keep you posted!

[Moeyyy]

This is how I do all my activations. I have a BESX server setup, we only pay for the standard internet on our phones, not paying any extra for whatever the BES plan is (can't think of the name off the top of my head).

Create the new user account on the Blackberry Server (I do no activation password). Then I take the users phone and connect it to their PC via usb, then I load up the Blackberry Web Desktop Manager in IE (I tried to post the generic web address for it, but I need 10 posts first to post address...). I have them log in with their domain credentials. It will ask to install some stuff, click OK. Website will think for a little and show the phone as connected. From there you are good to go.

Once that's done I normally tell the user it will take about an hour to get everything synced up. Easy as pie.

Any questions just let me know.