BlackBerry gets OCS 2007 support

BlackBerry users can now link to Microsoft's OCS 2007 messaging platform

Research In Motion has announced support for Microsoft's Office Communications Server 2007, enabling BlackBerry users to link into corporate messaging infrastructures based on the OCS messaging platform.

RIM's new software builds on its existing BlackBerry connectivity for Live Communications Server 2005, and requires organisations to have BlackBerry Enterprise Server 4.1.6 or higher and a new version of the BlackBerry IM client on user handsets.

The solution enables BlackBerry users to see the status of, and exchange instant messages with, Windows PC users running Office Communicator 2007, as well as other colleagues with a BlackBerry.

"BlackBerry support for Microsoft OCS 2007 brings the latest advances in enterprise IM and presence into a seamless user experience on BlackBerry smartphones for businesses and government organisations," said RIM vice president of marketing Mark Guibert.

Key features of the new BlackBerry IM client include support for one-to-one or multi-party messaging sessions, and the ability to view presence information on a contact in the BlackBerry Address Book and get an alert when that person becomes available.

Users can click on a name in the contact list to initiate a phone call, email, MMS or SMS. They can also control who can see their availability status.

For IT departments, administrators can deploy the new BlackBerry IM client over-the-air from the corporate BlackBerry Enterprise Server, and determine new settings and control access by individual users or groups as well as specific functionality.