Google Apps Connector For BES

Wed, Aug 26, 2009 Posted By:Eric Friedman

As you may know I have been exploring Google Apps Premiere edition for an email solution.

Recently Google finally completed the final step necessary to move over to a pure Google Apps Email environment called Google Apps Connector for Blackberry Enterprise Server for an office that uses BlackBerrys.

Get the benefits of Google Apps with the BlackBerry experience you’re already accustomed to. Integrate the Google Apps messaging suite with BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES), letting employees use built-in BlackBerry applications for access to their Google Apps email, calendar, and contacts.

Some people have explained to me that you can get all the benefits of Google Apps today without a BES connection. I patiently agree, but this is a stop gap at best to true native BlackBerry support. I explained I wanted native email inbox drops, native calendar support, and native contacts management – now I can with the Google Apps connector. The ideal solution allows the ability to get a brand new blackberry and sign into the enterprise activation area and have a working synced device ready to go in as much time as the initial sync. takes.

That is where we run into trouble.

You see, most enterprise configurations have either an onsite Exchange Server and BES running, or a hosted Exchange Server with BES. Under a local scenario we could simply leave the BES running and use Google Apps.

For this to be a truly redundant, backed up, and fail safe option (I know this is impossible – but less of a problem than onsite) I am looking to have a Blackberry Enterprise Server hosted in the cloud – then use the Google Apps Connector.

So far nobody has the answer – but I have made some progress.

Option 1: AWS – Amazon Web Services
Setup an EC2 instance running Blackberry Enterprise Server and run the Google Apps Connector that way

Option 2: Hosted solution (RackSpace or some other provider)
This would be a managed host that sets up BES and then allows me to run Google Apps Connector

Option 3: Google
They come up with some solution

I think there is an opportunity here to setup instances of servers running BES that allow people the customizations they want. Right now, all managed email hosting solutions want to sell you a white label email solution or an MS Exchange box. These are both options I am looking to avoid.

Conclusion:
I need a hosted server able to run BES, that allows control to put on Google Apps Connector. This seems to be uncharted territory, even for seasoned Google Apps transfer providers. I hope that someone comes across this post and can provide some insight into this problem.

Enhanced Gmail Plug-in for BlackBerrys arrives, but only syncs one way (engadget.com)
Link your BlackBerry with your Google Apps (geardiary.com)
Why Push Gmail for Blackberry Is a Big Deal (readwriteweb.com)

blackberry, BlackberryEnterpriseServer, Google Apps, Google Apps Connector, Microsoft Exchange Server

This post was written by:

Eric Friedman - who has written 671 posts on Eric Friedman – Marketing.fm.

Directof of Client Services at Foursquare - formerly the analyst at Union Square Ventures, blogger at www.marketing.fm You should follow me on twitter @EricFriedman

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View Comments to “Google Apps Connector For BES”

Gopal Patel Says:
August 29th, 2009 at 6:35 am

I too am looking for a BES / GAPS hosted solution!

EricFriedman Says:
August 29th, 2009 at 8:57 am

I think companies have to catch up to the demand and create a new offering.

jsteig Says:
August 29th, 2009 at 9:36 am

Absolutely: providers like Sherweb (which we use), Intermedia and Mailstreet or someone else needs to create a new offering that drops Exchange out of the equation. Unfortunately, I haven't seen it yet anywhere.

EricFriedman Says:
August 29th, 2009 at 9:40 am

We use Intermedia and they are not there yet.

I can also confirm that RackSpace does not have this configuration. They will do an Exchange box or their own email, but not BES only.

Tony Graziano Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:34 pm

VMWARE. Create the VMGUEST and take the image and upload it to your hosted VMWARE HOST. Then login to your BES server with RDP to administer and make changes.

I did two last week all from a chair remote from the HOST, and they were both Google Apps connected..

You still need a somewhat competent BES admin though.

And no, BIS does not get you the same thing. You can't wipe the system and lock it with BIS if it is lost. BIS does not push apps to your device with no user interaction. BIS does not sync calendar and contacts, nor does it make changing your device easy.

Ideally EC2 is up to the challenge only when you get to a large environment, because of the processor time, etc. EC2 would easily cost 150.00 per mo. just to keep running due to the constant nature of email. AWS is promising for BES 5.0, but google is not going to support that for some time.

angelia110 Says:
October 6th, 2009 at 9:10 am

<h2 align=”center”>Costs For Uggs–What It Costs?</h2>

–>Are you lusting after a few (or even more) Uggs (UGG Australia) boots and if so, you're in good company, as girls and women of all ages, especially with the simple, slipper-like design of these sheepskin ugg boots, which are relatively easy and very comfortable to wear. And they appear to be affected. Some men are also jumping on the trend and luxury UGGs? Australia, the brand also offers a range of contemporary styles for them.

–>Could you mind giving everyone loves from ugg-boots? There are so many types of uggs, ugg bailey button,ugg classic tall, ugg classic short, ugg classic cardy. How to choose your favorite? Or do you really want to one uggs regardless its style? Despite their design is awkward and slipper-lile, Uggs is one of the few stations that are of general interest, have argued that cross generational lines.

–>Young people, students and young mothers and the Middle Ages, the original Black Ultra Tall UGG Boots, seem pulled the fleecy-lined boots that are manufactured in Australia, with the best materials. Are you sure that your feet warm in winter without socks, and cool in summer so that is more versatile too? If no, hurry up to take one ugg boots on goodugg uk sale ! That's why we see people wear them in schools, supermarkets, on the slopes and even in the most popular beaches in the United States and abroad. Many surfers also use uggs to keep their feet warm.

–>What do you really care about? Is its price or quality, or you just following the general trend? You know what are you thinking in your heart!

Kevin Says:
October 13th, 2009 at 4:04 pm

I would love to find a hosted BES solution that allows me to use the Google Apps Connector and my Google Premier Account.

EricFriedman Says:
October 13th, 2009 at 4:10 pm

Me too! I hope some hosting companies are reading this and recognize there
are paying customers lining up for this…

Jonathan Marshall Says:
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:49 pm

I found a hosted solution here: http://www.exchangemymail.com/google-apps-conne...

EricFriedman Says:
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:50 pm

Will check it out – thanks.

EricFriedman Says:
October 26th, 2009 at 11:09 am

This looks like it might just work. Do you know of any other alternatives to check comparison pricing?

mikerowan Says:
October 30th, 2009 at 8:32 am

I was able to convince a hosting provider we had for Exchanges services to install a vps along with BES and connect this to our Apps environment. All worked well (set this up 1 week after the release of Google BES connector). But, shortly after we realized this was a painful model as the provider was unable to allow us access to the BES admin, and we needed to go through them to add/remove/del etc, and although we were ok with this at first, it proved to be a slow process. Also, we experienced some downtime with them, and the 3 way support model between us, Google > us > the hosting provider was not ideal. We ended up installing a server in our Amazon environment and installed BES and Google Apps connector in about 30 mins, and we off an running. We are even running some accts form the vps/bes at the old hosting provider as well as our new amazon/bes, both connected to Google Apps while we transition all… Also, the hosting provider even has an official plan now which I think is great and I am confident if they push this model it could be a better overall service offering for them versus the struggles they face with Exchange management and support. Unfortunately the model they have now with this offering is just to early for us to continue to use it – (http://www.exchangemymail.com) – Mike

EricFriedman Says:
October 30th, 2009 at 2:48 pm

Thanks for the information – I have considered running an Amazon EC2
instance but then we are left managing a server. I would rather pay
slightly more to have a managed hosting environment in case of downtime or
updates. After, with email being mission critical we cannot have things go
down. The other alternative is to switch to Google Apps without BES – which
is not a great option. I think tons of people would gladly switch if Google
hosted a BES for people.

Was the provider you used in the beignning exchangemymail.com or was that
who you switched to?

winter123 Says:
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:58 am

In this welcoming atmosphere, customers will discover the new and the renowned in Tiffany design and the option to experiment with it all, mixing different looks to play up personal style and individual expression tiffany jewelry online shop sells varieties of tiffany & co jewelry silver products, including tiffany bracelet, tiffany necklace, tiffany ring, tiffany earrings, tiffany pendant and various other tiffany replica jewelries. We are one of the biggest suppliers of tiffany jewellery company store in the globe.Tiffany translates the allure of it all in classic style with the new Tiffany Notes collection.

winter123 Says:
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:07 am

Louis Vuitton Matsuya Ginza Store done renewal and displays their “speedy” archives over past years tiffany jewellery online shop sells varieties of tiffany jewelry products, including tiffany bracelet, tiffany necklace, tiffany ring, tiffany earrings, tiffany pendant and various other tiffany replica jewelries. We are one of the biggest suppliers of tiffany jewellery sale
,Louis Vuitton has been welcomed by many louis vitton handbag lovers. I think there is no cheaper louis vuitton handbags than you in the world. “speedy” is known as Louis Vuitton’s iconic line. Every arranged bags were very interesting.

Brad Says:
November 4th, 2009 at 1:58 pm

its available here: http://www.exchangemymail.com/google-apps-conne...

EricFriedman Says:
November 4th, 2009 at 2:05 pm

Any experience using or setting up with this vendor?

Tony Graziano Says:
November 17th, 2009 at 1:24 pm

We're doing this also.

http://blog.myitdepartment.net/?p=82

EricFriedman Says:
November 17th, 2009 at 1:26 pm

Do you have customers using this yet?

David Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 6:01 pm

Eric,

I wanted to let you know we offer this service you are looking for. We call it Hosted BES for Google Apps. For more information, visit our website.
http://www.exchangemymail.com/google/index.html

EricFriedman Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 6:03 pm

Thanks – definitely looking into all options.

David Says:
December 15th, 2009 at 12:01 am

Eric,

I wanted to let you know we offer this service you are looking for. We call it Hosted BES for Google Apps. For more information, visit our website.
http://www.exchangemymail.com/google/index.html

EricFriedman Says:
December 15th, 2009 at 12:03 am

Thanks – definitely looking into all options.

Gopal Patel Says:
August 29th, 2009 at 6:35 am
I too am looking for a BES / GAPS hosted solution!
EricFriedman Says:
August 29th, 2009 at 8:57 am
I think companies have to catch up to the demand and create a new offering.
jsteig Says:
August 29th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Absolutely: providers like Sherweb (which we use), Intermedia and Mailstreet or someone else needs to create a new offering that drops Exchange out of the equation. Unfortunately, I haven't seen it yet anywhere.
EricFriedman Says:
August 29th, 2009 at 9:40 am
We use Intermedia and they are not there yet.

I can also confirm that RackSpace does not have this configuration. They will do an Exchange box or their own email, but not BES only.
Tony Graziano Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
VMWARE. Create the VMGUEST and take the image and upload it to your hosted VMWARE HOST. Then login to your BES server with RDP to administer and make changes.

I did two last week all from a chair remote from the HOST, and they were both Google Apps connected..

You still need a somewhat competent BES admin though.

And no, BIS does not get you the same thing. You can't wipe the system and lock it with BIS if it is lost. BIS does not push apps to your device with no user interaction. BIS does not sync calendar and contacts, nor does it make changing your device easy.

Ideally EC2 is up to the challenge only when you get to a large environment, because of the processor time, etc. EC2 would easily cost 150.00 per mo. just to keep running due to the constant nature of email. AWS is promising for BES 5.0, but google is not going to support that for some time.
angelia110 Says:
October 6th, 2009 at 9:10 am
<h2 align=”center”>Costs For Uggs–What It Costs?</h2>
–>Are you lusting after a few (or even more) Uggs (UGG Australia) boots and if so, you're in good company, as girls and women of all ages, especially with the simple, slipper-like design of these sheepskin ugg boots, which are relatively easy and very comfortable to wear. And they appear to be affected. Some men are also jumping on the trend and luxury UGGs? Australia, the brand also offers a range of contemporary styles for them.

–>Could you mind giving everyone loves from ugg-boots? There are so many types of uggs, ugg bailey button,ugg classic tall, ugg classic short, ugg classic cardy. How to choose your favorite? Or do you really want to one uggs regardless its style? Despite their design is awkward and slipper-lile, Uggs is one of the few stations that are of general interest, have argued that cross generational lines.

–>Young people, students and young mothers and the Middle Ages, the original Black Ultra Tall UGG Boots, seem pulled the fleecy-lined boots that are manufactured in Australia, with the best materials. Are you sure that your feet warm in winter without socks, and cool in summer so that is more versatile too? If no, hurry up to take one ugg boots on goodugg uk sale ! That's why we see people wear them in schools, supermarkets, on the slopes and even in the most popular beaches in the United States and abroad. Many surfers also use uggs to keep their feet warm.

–>What do you really care about? Is its price or quality, or you just following the general trend? You know what are you thinking in your heart!
Kevin Says:
October 13th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
I would love to find a hosted BES solution that allows me to use the Google Apps Connector and my Google Premier Account.
EricFriedman Says:
October 13th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Me too! I hope some hosting companies are reading this and recognize there
are paying customers lining up for this…
Jonathan Marshall Says:
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I found a hosted solution here: http://www.exchangemymail.com/google-apps-conne...
EricFriedman Says:
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Will check it out – thanks.
EricFriedman Says:
October 26th, 2009 at 11:09 am
This looks like it might just work. Do you know of any other alternatives to check comparison pricing?
mikerowan Says:
October 30th, 2009 at 8:32 am
I was able to convince a hosting provider we had for Exchanges services to install a vps along with BES and connect this to our Apps environment. All worked well (set this up 1 week after the release of Google BES connector). But, shortly after we realized this was a painful model as the provider was unable to allow us access to the BES admin, and we needed to go through them to add/remove/del etc, and although we were ok with this at first, it proved to be a slow process. Also, we experienced some downtime with them, and the 3 way support model between us, Google > us > the hosting provider was not ideal. We ended up installing a server in our Amazon environment and installed BES and Google Apps connector in about 30 mins, and we off an running. We are even running some accts form the vps/bes at the old hosting provider as well as our new amazon/bes, both connected to Google Apps while we transition all… Also, the hosting provider even has an official plan now which I think is great and I am confident if they push this model it could be a better overall service offering for them versus the struggles they face with Exchange management and support. Unfortunately the model they have now with this offering is just to early for us to continue to use it – (http://www.exchangemymail.com) – Mike
EricFriedman Says:
October 30th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Thanks for the information – I have considered running an Amazon EC2
instance but then we are left managing a server. I would rather pay
slightly more to have a managed hosting environment in case of downtime or
updates. After, with email being mission critical we cannot have things go
down. The other alternative is to switch to Google Apps without BES – which
is not a great option. I think tons of people would gladly switch if Google
hosted a BES for people.

Was the provider you used in the beignning exchangemymail.com or was that
who you switched to?
winter123 Says:
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:58 am
In this welcoming atmosphere, customers will discover the new and the renowned in Tiffany design and the option to experiment with it all, mixing different looks to play up personal style and individual expression tiffany jewelry online shop sells varieties of tiffany & co jewelry silver products, including tiffany bracelet, tiffany necklace, tiffany ring, tiffany earrings, tiffany pendant and various other tiffany replica jewelries. We are one of the biggest suppliers of tiffany jewellery company store in the globe.Tiffany translates the allure of it all in classic style with the new Tiffany Notes collection.
winter123 Says:
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:07 am
Louis Vuitton Matsuya Ginza Store done renewal and displays their “speedy” archives over past years tiffany jewellery online shop sells varieties of tiffany jewelry products, including tiffany bracelet, tiffany necklace, tiffany ring, tiffany earrings, tiffany pendant and various other tiffany replica jewelries. We are one of the biggest suppliers of tiffany jewellery sale
,Louis Vuitton has been welcomed by many louis vitton handbag lovers. I think there is no cheaper louis vuitton handbags than you in the world. “speedy” is known as Louis Vuitton’s iconic line. Every arranged bags were very interesting.
Brad Says:
November 4th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
its available here: http://www.exchangemymail.com/google-apps-conne...
EricFriedman Says:
November 4th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Any experience using or setting up with this vendor?
Tony Graziano Says:
November 17th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
We're doing this also.

http://blog.myitdepartment.net/?p=82
EricFriedman Says:
November 17th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Do you have customers using this yet?
David Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Eric,

I wanted to let you know we offer this service you are looking for. We call it Hosted BES for Google Apps. For more information, visit our website.
http://www.exchangemymail.com/google/index.html
EricFriedman Says:
December 14th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Thanks – definitely looking into all options.
David Says:
December 15th, 2009 at 12:01 am
Eric,

I wanted to let you know we offer this service you are looking for. We call it Hosted BES for Google Apps. For more information, visit our website.
http://www.exchangemymail.com/google/index.html
EricFriedman Says:
December 15th, 2009 at 12:03 am
Thanks – definitely looking into all options.

Click here to cancel reply.

Eric Friedman – Marketing.fm