Making Exchange ActiveSync Work

More and more users are realizing the benefits of mobile email access, as evidenced by the popularity of wireless messaging devices such as Research In Motion (RIM) BlackBerry handhelds, Windows Mobile smart phones, and Pocket PCs. Though the number of these devices that are deployed remains relatively small, Microsoft clearly expects the number to rise significantly: In 2002, the company decided to integrate the functionality of its Mobile Information Server (MIS) product—code-named Airstream—into Exchange Server 2003. When it was released, Exchange 2003 almost instantly became the most widely deployed mobile messaging–capable solution, though many sites aren't yet using the mobility features.

Obviously, mobility-enabled email is important to Microsoft. Not only has the company included the Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) engine in Exchange 2003, Microsoft has also taken the unusual step of licensing its EAS AirSync protocol to companies whose products compete directly with the Windows Mobile OS—while at the same time working with selected partners, such as Good Technology and Intellisync, whose solutions complement Exchange's built-in mobile messaging functionality. In that light, I'd like to talk about what EAS is, what it can and can't do, and how it can help you offer mobile messaging functionality to your users. . . .