Microsoft Exchange Server ActiveSync Web Administration Tool Released

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e6851d23-d145-4dbf-a2cc-e0b4c6301453&DisplayLang=en' target='_blank'>http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e6851d23-d145-4dbf-a2cc-e0b4c6301453&DisplayLang=en</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The Microsoft Exchange Server ActiveSync Web Administration tool enables administrators to manage the process of remotely erasing lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised mobile devices."</i> <br /><br /> <img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Kris-Dec05-RemoteWipe.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />Microsoft has released a critical component that enables the <a href="http://smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9561">remote wipe</a> security feature on the new Windows Mobile 5.0 devices. This component was for some reason not bundled with the Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 and Microsoft had promised that it would deliver it as a separate download in the Q4 of 2005. Looks like they have kept their promise. :-) Now all we need is a Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone with Microsoft Security and Feature Pack (MSFP), so that we can take advantage of the features advertised in this <a href="http://smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9716">white paper.</a>

[OSUKid7]

Nifty. The whole Exchange and MSFP thing sounds pretty neat, and I'm even considering getting hosted Exchange at some point. Do you think a hosted Exchange provider would allow its customers to use the web admin tool to do a remote wipe of their device as admins would in most Exchange settings?

[Mike Temporale]

Nifty. The whole Exchange and MSFP thing sounds pretty neat, and I'm even considering getting hosted Exchange at some point. Do you think a hosted Exchange provider would allow its customers to use the web admin tool to do a remote wipe of their device as admins would in most Exchange settings?

I'm sure they will provide a means for you to do it. But I think it might be a little more controlled. Like you have to notify them and they'll do it. Just my thoughts. I'm sure it will be available one way or another.

[MitzEclipse]

Hi, is it possible to remote-wipe WM5.0 devices that are NOT on an exchange server? ie: if I'm a non-corporate user that has a GPRS connection?

[possmann]

Hosted Exchange? Where can I get that service (personal use is what I was thinking about)? I would love to stay connected in this fashion - death to RIM long live Exchange 2003 SP2.

I read somewhere that due to the current legal issues that RIM is facing here in the USA (patent infringement) that Gartner has gone so far as to NOT recommend using RIM for businesses (in the USA) looking to adopt that type of a feature - WOW.

[Mike Temporale]

Hosted Exchange? Where can I get that service (personal use is what I was thinking about)? I would love to stay connected in this fashion - death to RIM long live Exchange 2003 SP2.

There are lots of places. The one that comes to mind is http://www.4smartphone.net

I read somewhere that due to the current legal issues that RIM is facing here in the USA (patent infringement) that Gartner has gone so far as to NOT recommend using RIM for businesses (in the USA) looking to adopt that type of a feature - WOW.

Yup. I've got that in my inbox, and I was hoping to get it posted later today or tomorrow.

[Mike Temporale]

Hi, is it possible to remote-wipe WM5.0 devices that are NOT on an exchange server? ie: if I'm a non-corporate user that has a GPRS connection?

No, I wouldn't expect it to do that. You need the connection that Exchange offers.

[mimitche]

It just kills me that many of the features promised with the Exchange 2003 SP2 and MS Mobile 5.0 combo are still vaporware until a Mobile 5.0 phone is finally released with the Messaging &amp; Security Feature Pack. Until then direct push sync is just a dream and they're missing a huge opportunity with the RIM patent issue and threatened shutdown.

For individual users it may not be a big deal but for corporate use the following features are critical for acceptance:
-Direct push sync
-cert auth so AD passwords are not stored on device
-GAL lookup

[mimitche]

For what it's worth for anyone that's using a MS smartphone but is not connecting to an Exchange server I'd be more than happy to set up a test account on my Exchange 2k3 SP2 server for you.