BlackBerry Details ActiveSync Features for Each Version of Microsoft Exchange (BlackBerry 10)

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I have had a few people ask me about why certain features are not available on BlackBerry 10 connected to Microsoft Exchange using ActiveSync. I have been using this relatively updated list on Wikipedia for awhile but turns out there is a document directly from BlackBerry detailing the features. The features are all based on the version of ActiveSync available in each version of Microsoft Exchange. For example, on Exchange 2003 you will not have access to server side email searching. Or even more common of a question is the fact that you need Exchange 2010 for free/busy lookups.

Check out the listing below:

Microsoft ActiveSync 2.5 with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 SP2

Functional limitations and known issues exist when BlackBerry ActiveSync client in BlackBerry 10 smartphone utilizes ActiveSync protocol connection to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 SP2.

BlackBerry Compatibility Matrix lists BlackBerry ActiveSync client for Exchange ActiveSync 2.5 as limited support only. See Compatibility Matrix guide page 11 for details – Mail servers for BlackBerry 10 OS compatibility matrix guide.

Features:

  • Direct Push
  • Email sync
  • Calendar sync
  • Contacts sync
  • Tasks Sync
  • Remote wipe
  • Sync multiple folders
  • GAL lookup
  • SSL encrypted transmission

Policies:

  • 4131
  • 4136
  • AEFrequencyValue
  • DeviceWipeThreshold
  • MinimumPasswordLength
  • PasswordComplexity

Although compatible, it is recommended to upgrade Exchange ActiveSync server to 12.0 or higher to utilize added functionality and avoid synchronization issues with Exchange ActiveSync 2.5 connections.


Microsoft ActiveSync 12.0 with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007

Features:

  • User started remote wipe (server side)
  • HTML email
  • Server Search
  • Set Out of Facility/Office (OOF)
  • Follow-up flags
  • Meeting attendee information
  • AutoDiscover
  • Bandwidth reduction

Policies :

  • AllowAttachementDownload (client side)
  • Maximum attachment size
  • Allow simple password
  • Password expiration (days)
  • Enforce password history
  • Encrypt storage card

Microsoft ActiveSync 12.1 with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 SP1

Features:

  • Bandwidth reductions (compressed/removed headers) Partial
  • S/MIME13 Only supported through BDS

Policies:

  • Allow device encryption
  • Require device encryption
  • Minimum number of complex characters
  • Include past email items (Days)
  • Include past calendar items (Days)
  • Require manual sync while roaming


Microsoft ActiveSync 14.0 with Microsoft Exchange Server 2010

Features:

  • Conversation View
  • Free/Busy lookup
  • Notes sync

Policies:

None


Microsoft ActiveSync 14.1 with Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 SP1

Features:

  • Block/Allow/Quarantine List (device info)

Policies:

None

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