Traditionally Blackberry users have needed either Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) or Blackberry Internet Service (BIS) to connect to Microsoft Exchange email accounts, however with the launch of Blackberry 10 this has all changed. Blackberry users on the latest version of the OS will be able to use built-in ActiveSync support to access their Microsoft Exchange service. This brings the latest Blackberry handsets (such as the Z10, pictured) on-par with iOS and Android devices; which offer Exchange ActiveSync as standard.
Whereas BES and BIS both required extra licenses and often come with additional charges (though Simply Mail Solutions have always provided Blackberry sync free for Hosted Exchange customers) ActiveSync is a standard feature of Microsoft Exchange and provides full syncing of business email, contacts, calendars and reminders without extra licenses. Setting up an Exchange account can be done straight from a Blackberry 10 handset, without the IT department having to worry about any extra configuration.
