BlackBerry® Client Support for OCS R2

I have been asked several times recently about the BlackBerry® client support for OCS R2 (RIM makes a BlackBerry client that works with OCS. You can read more about it in my original post: Mobile Options for OCS).

The short answer is that OCS R2 is not supported, however there is a workaround that amounts to leaving an OCS R1 CWA (Communicator Web Access) Server for the BlackBerry client to use after upgrading to OCS R2. Trying to install an OCS R1 CWA after upgrading to R2 will not work. You must leave an OCS R1 CWA server intact before upgrading. My understanding is that OCS R2 Active Directory changes will not make it possible to install an OCS R1 CWA after the fact.

The official workaround is described in more detail here: BlackBerry Enterprise Instant Messaging is not functional with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2.

The issue is that the BlackBerry client uses the Web API used for R1 Communicator Web Access (the Asynchronous JavaScript® and XML (AJAX) API) and Microsoft no longer supports this API in the OCS R2 version of CWA.  There are no current plans at this time to re-release or support this API in future releases.

(BlackBerry® is a registered trademark of Research in Motion Limited).

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Mobile Options for OCS

With mobile device usage (including phones) becoming the de-facto communication device, extending the reach of Office Communications Server 2007 to information users on their mobile devices is powerful.

Below I summarize the available options for many popular devices.

 

Blackberry

If you are running a Blackberry Device with software v4.1 or higher, and BES Server v4.1 with Service Pack 6 or higher, a BlackBerry Client for use with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 is available here: http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/server/exchange/ocs2007.jsp.  

I have been told that the older Blackberry client (for LCS) still works against OCS 2007.

Also, for a good write-up on how to install and configure your BES server to support OCS on your Blackberry read this Joachim Farla’s blog post.

 

Microsoft Windows Mobile or Java Enabled Phone

In addition to the specific information below, Microsoft has recently (May 2009) made available an easy-to-remember website to dowload the appropriate version of Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile for a Pocket PC, SmartPhone, or Java Enabled Phone: http://getcomo.com.

 

Pocket PC or SmartPhone Running Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 or 6.0

A version of Communicator Mobile running against an OCS 2007 server can be found here.

A version of Communicator Mobile running against an OCS 2007 R2 server can be found here.

 

Java Based Phones (Nokia S40/S60 series and Motorola RAZR v3 Devices)

Microsoft makes a version of Office Communicator Mobile R2 available that is optimized for Java. There are different versions available depending on your phone (listed below). OCS 2007 R2 must be running on the backend.

a) Office Communicator Mobile 2007 R2 for Java (Nokia S60 320X240 resolution)

– Supported Phone Models: E51, E66, N95;   Supported Telecom Network: Vodafone and Orange networks in Europe, Airtel and Vodafone networks in India.

b) Office Communicator Mobile 2007 R2 for Java (Nokia S60 240X320 resolution)

– Supported Phone Models: E51, E66, N95;  Supported Telecom Network: Vodafone and Orange networks in Europe, Airtel and Vodafone networks in India.

c) Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile 2007 R2 for Java (Nokia S40)

– Supported Telecom Networks: Vodafone and Orange networks in Europe, Airtel and Vodafone networks in India;   Supported Phone Models: Nokia S40 – 5th edition phones including: 3120 Classic, 3600 Slide, 5220 XpressMusic , 5310 XpressMusic , 5610 XpressMusic, 6212 Classic, 6300i, 6301, 6500 Classic, 6500 Slide, 6600 Fold, 6600 Slide, 7210 Super Nova, 7310 Super Nova, 7510 Super Nova, 7610 Super Nova, 7900 Prism and 8800 Arte

d) Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile 2007 R2 for Java (Motorola Razr V3xx – U.S.)

– Supported Telecom Network: AT&T (US);  Supported Phone Models: Motorola RAZR V3xx

Additional Information about the Java Client

Microsoft Office Communicator for Java Frequently Asked Questions

Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile for Java Getting Started Guide

Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile for Java Testing and Troubleshooting Guide

 

Other Devices

For all other devices with decent Internet access and a browser, if the OCS 2007 deployment you are connecting to has deployed Communicator Web Access, you can try using the Communicator Web Client. Ask your IT services department for the Web Address (URL) and give it a try.  I would be interested in hearing feedback from anyone who have tried this on an Apple iPhone.

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