The solutions can involve purchasing mail applications (like Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server) to be operated in-house, or outsourcing mail delivery in an ASP style solution, or combinations of the two. To deliver a type of ‘always on’ mail experience, other products use software called desktop redirectors. These solutions don’t require any server side installation, but do need a computer with internet connection.

So how do they work? The always on email is represented in this diagram: Fig 1.0: A new email (1) is sent to a user’s account (2). The email server (or the solution server if it’s separate software) notifies the mobile device sending a notification message (3) to the SMSC (4) which is the piece of hardware/ software on the mobile network that communicates to the mobile device via SMS. The Pocket PC Phone Edition or Smartphone client then starts a synchronisation action using the available connection, either GPRS or CDMA (5).

Fig 2.0: The email redirector solution is a little different. When a new email is sent (1), it’s stored on the email server (2), and special software running on a client machine with access to the user’s email server (3) will pick it up. The redirector then connects to a relay server, outside the user’s network (4), bypassing firewalls by using a standard port. All new emails received are sent to the relay server, using high grade encryption to secure these messages. The email client software on a Pocket PC or i-mate Smartphone will then check the relay server at regular intervals to retrieve any new messages, using GPRS, CDMA, Wi-Fi or any other connection. Some solutions open a permanent connection to the relay server, being instantly notified of any new messages, giving the impression of ‘always on’ push email.

The question of security
At this point many readers are probably saying ‘But I can configure my Pocket inbox to check my IMAP or POP3 server in regular intervals. Why would I need these solutions?’ The answer is security. While most ISPs provide POP3 or IMAP servers, and allow them to be freely accessed by mobile devices, this is not the case for enterprise mail solutions. Most companies have their email server housed within a security perimeter, not visible on the internet, and some do not have VPN access in place. It’s in this type of scenario that the email redirector solution is often applicable.

A range of options
So, what solutions are available? BlackBerry from Vodafone and Office Online from ICONZ are a couple of examples of mobile business email solutions. The BlackBerry Enterprise Solution is a mobile email service designed for businesses with existing Lotus Domino or Microsoft Exchange email environments. It enables staff to view their company email, electronic calendar, tasks list and contacts list on a BlackBerry device, when they’re away from their desks.

The BlackBerry Enterprise Server is installed by Vodafone in-house at the client organisation, alongside Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Domino servers – providing users with email security based on end-to-end triple DES encryption – and IT departments with simplified management and centralised control. When an email addressed to a company user is received by the company’s corporate server, it is redirected to the users desktop (this is the standard email distribution process for most corporate email servers).

At the same time, the BlackBerry server software copies, compresses and encrypts the message and forwards it via the internet (using Vodafone’s GPRS network) to the user’s BlackBerry handheld. When it arrives the message is decompressed and decrypted and the user is alerted that it’s there. The Mobile Data Service feature of BlackBerry Enterprise Server supports access to a range of back-end corporate data. Things like diary appointments and emails are all synchronised wirelessly and Vodafone say many other corporate applications are being developed for the BlackBerry, including CRM (Customer Relationship Management) solutions and SFA (Sales Force Automation) tools.

For organisations looking for a mobile email solution they don’t have to manage or install in-house, options like ICONZ’s fully hosted ‘Office Online’ are something to consider. ICONZ Office Online is built on top of Microsoft Exchange 2003 and allows users to view, edit and send emails, manage their calendars, task lists and contacts, and access shared information in public folders while away from their desktops.

The system delivers enterprise grade email without the associated enterprise grade set up and management costs. Office Online users can retrieve messages away from their desks with a computer or laptop connected to the internet – or a wireless internet enabled device like a Pocket PC or the i-mate Smartphone.

“One of today’s most important business attributes,” says ICONZ’s John Russell, “is having an email account associated with your business, with your own domain name. With a solution like this, small and mid-size businesses can have the same professional look to their communications as large enterprises, for example john@housemovers.co.nz rather than john@hotmail.com.”

Both the BlackBerry and Office Online solutions operate on the Vodafone network. For organisations with an existing relationship with Telecom, its ‘Onebridge’ product may suit (this is the product package advertised in the Telecom ‘space invaders’ advertisement). Onebridge works on the 027 Mobile JetStream platform, enabling users with PDAs operating the Palm, Microsoft Pocket PC, Handheld PC, Symbian or SyncML operating systems to access, read, reply to, send, forward and store email messages on the move. In addition they can also work with Excel, Word and other applications (provided the handheld supports them). Onebridge synchronises with Lotus Notes/Domino and Microsoft Exchange 5.5 2000.

Further Reading

• How to get email to your mobile

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For more on business uses of Mobility, visit the Mobile Business research pavilion on iStart.

November 2004