[cswarr]

I heard this somewhere. Is it true? When and what version of BES will support it?

[NJBlackBerry]

I have not heard this and very much doubt it.

[jsconyers]

I agree with NJBB.

[CanuckBB]

Considering that BES interacts with the device via the PIN, I just don't see it

[Dubdub]

BBM might be able to, but I cannot see that BES will.

RIM is already giving away much of its advantage and differentiation to capture the consumer market. I think they are not looking at their strengths and trying to capitalize on them.

[rambo47]

The OP is confusing BES with BBM.

To the cswarr:
BES = BlackBerry Enterprise Server. Corporate data connection.
BBM = BlackBerry Messenger. IM program that has always been BlackBerry-to-BlackBerry only. The talk is that RIM might release a version for iOS and Android.

[akosnitzky]

Thank you Rambo. There will be BBM but do not expect it to be of the same quality.

[mrzitro]

Yes, My boss showed me this this morning: "Monday at BlackBerry World 2011 RIM announced plans for a multiplatform upgrade to BES that will allow it to also support and manage iPhone, iPad, and Android smartphones and tablets." google it.

[jsconyers]

Yes it is true.

RIM Adds iPhone, Android Support -- InformationWeek

[NJBlackBerry]

"RIM noted that select features will remain exclusively available to BlackBerries, however. Some of them include RIMxxx8217;s push technology, network and data usage efficiency, behind-the-firewall access to enterprise applications and systems, and many of the BES' 550 IT policies."

[rambo47]

This isn't RIM opening up their apps to function on iOS or Android. It is RIM expanding BES so iPhone users and Android users can get their data through a corporate BES and be subject to the same IT Policies as BlackBerry users.

Rumors usually have half truths in them. Perhaps this expansion of BES is what has made folks believe they'll get BBM on their iPhones. All it means is that in a BlackBerry-only shop you'll soon be able to connect your iPhone to the BES data plan and enjoy at least *some* of the functionality enjoyed by BlackBerry users.

[NJBlackBerry]

I personally think it will give us (shops that run BES and ActiveSync) the ability to do minimal support (very few policies) on the iThings, which will allow us to shut down any ActiveSync appliances and exposed Exchange services.

[rambo47]

Originally Posted by blackberrybigdaddy

It is good but it wont have the functionality like it does for blackberry

No, it won't. I think what it may do is give RIM a way to incorporate iPhone/Android users into their BES and stem the tide of companies migrating completely away from their BES. It will no longer be an either/or situation. This breathes new life into corporate BES systems that were in danger of being abandoned for iOS or Android.

Life getting a little easier for admins who were going to have to deal with dual environments is just icing on the cake.