Forward Compatibility with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007

Forward compatibility of the BlackBerry® Enterprise Solution with Microsoft® Exchange Server 2007 is an important priority for RIM. The following Q&A has been prepared to assist customers in understanding how their BlackBerry® deployments may be affected by an upgrade to Exchange Server 2007, what resources are available to assist in that migration, and to provide answers to specific, frequently asked technical questions.BlackBerry Enterprise Server Support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2007

What has RIM done to prepare the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution for Microsoft Exchange Server 2007?

• RIM and Microsoft maintained a committed working partnership through Microsoft's Technology Adoption Program (TAP) for Microsoft Exchange. TAP provided RIM advance access to beta versions of the Microsoft Exchange release and granted dedicated Microsoft development support to address any issues identified during the BETA program. The objective of this effort was to ensure the highest standards of software compatibility and quality. It's through TAP that RIM collaborates with Microsoft to develop RIM certified releases of BlackBerry® Enterprise Server that guarantee product compatibility with Exchange Server 2007.
• RIM and select customers that were early adopters of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 worked together to validate product compatibility in an "in-field" setting.
• RIM's internal verification teams also performed functional and load testing in an "in-lab" setting.

How is the BlackBerry Enterprise Server supported with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007?

RIM has planned for and now certified support of Exchange 2007 with BlackBerry Enterprise Server. This initiative involved an update in software to the following product release:

• BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.3 for Microsoft Exchange  The mode of full support and certification as it relates to compatibility with Exchange 2007. Please be advised that with this release, RIM has issued the software with all of the acceptance criteria being met, thus deeming the software certifiably compatible.

This service pack release, comprehensive product documentation and related Knowledge Base Articles are available for download from the BlackBerry website.

Who is eligible for the maintenance release that supports Exchange 2007?

All existing BlackBerry Enterprise Server customers running v4.1 are eligible for these maintenance releases at no cost, as per standard maintenance practice. The download for BlackBerry Enterprise Server for Microsoft Exchange v4.1.3 can be found here:
http://www.blackberry.com/support/downloads

How will the maintenance releases be distributed to customers?

This and other maintenance releases are available for download at www.blackberry.com/go/softwaredownloads

To receive notifications about the availability of maintenance releases, please ensure you are registered to receive product notifications by sending an email to: join-softwarenotifications@lyrislist.rim.com

Additionally, updated information regarding Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 will be published in the monthly BlackBerry Connection IT newsletter. Sign up now for the BlackBerry Connection newsletter.

What has RIM done to help customers prepare their BlackBerry environment for Microsoft Exchange Server 2007?

RIM's documentation specialists have captured and reflected any environmental configuration specifics required to support Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 in your BlackBerry deployment.

To assist in pre-deployment planning, specific resources have been created, including, but not limited to, a BlackBerry Enterprise Server for Microsoft Exchange Version 4.1.3 Upgrade Guide (PDF). View all documentation available for the BlackBerry Enterprise Server for Microsoft Exchange v4.1.3

It is known that Microsoft is changing some fundamentals in Exchange Server 2007. How are these affecting the design or implementation of the BlackBerry Enterprise Server?

No fundamental architectural changes are anticipated in order to upgrade your BlackBerry Enterprise Server to support an upgrade to Exchange Server 2007. Further information will be available in posted Knowledge Base Articles.

What is the supportability stance for BlackBerry Enterprise Server and Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 SP1?

BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.4 (SP4) for Microsoft Exchange : Supported where Customer Support Operations has the standard path in place for issue escalation. Be advised that with this release, RIM is supporting the software with limited acceptance testing completed.

BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.5 (SP5) for Microsoft Exchange  : Planned as supported where Customer Support Operations has the standard path in place for issue escalation. Furthermore, a statement of certified by quality assurance and performance testing teams. Be advised that with this forthcoming release, RIM will issue the software with all levels of testing and acceptance criteria being met, thus deeming the software certifiably compatible. 

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