Microsoft plans later this year to offer an upgrade for its Windows Mobile 5.0 handset software that will provide push e-mail
technology and improved security management, the company announced Monday at its Tech Ed conference in Orlando.
The Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5.0 is software based on wireless features that will be added to
Exchange Server 2003 in Service Pack 2 (SP2).
"One of the key components of the Messaging and Security Feature Pack is to enhance the Outlook mobile experience by pushing
e-mail from Exchange to handhelds equipped with Windows 5.0 using our new Direct Push Technology," said Jason Langridge, U.K.
mobility manager at Microsoft. "Another key component is to provide the ability to protect managed devices directly through
Exchange."
Outlook information, including e-mail, calendar and contacts, will be pushed through a direct connection between Exchange
and a Windows Mobile device, providing users with immediate access to Outlook information, without the need for a third-party
network relay service, according to Langridge. "Many enterprise users, in particular, are concerned about having their data
sent through a third-party source," he said.
Users will also be able to avoid the cost of using a third-party relay service with the new Microsoft technology, Langridge
added.
As for security, via Exchange Server 2003 with SP2, IT administrators will be able to remotely manage and enforce select corporate
IT policy over the air, Microsoft said. For example, administrators will be able to mandate a personal identification number
password to be set for every device, and set recommended and mandatory policies, as well as set exception lists for users
to be exempt from these policies.
In addition, the technology will give administrators the ability to remove all information from a device, over the air, and
reset it to its original state, allowing them to better manage sensitive information on a misplaced Windows Mobile device,
according to Microsoft.
The Messaging and Security Feature Pack will be available in October, according to Langridge.
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