Mobile information services

What is it?

Mobile and wireless application functionality for mobile devices typically breaks down into three primary services:

• Data Synchronization -- storing data locally on the mobile device, then transmitting changes to and from a Web server.
• Data Push -- pushing (sending) data to the mobile device, which then alerts the user.
• Data Browse -- accessing data on a Web server similar to the way you use a typical Web application.

Exchange 2003 offers anywhere/anytime access in all three.  Exchange 2003's mobile and wireless features include the following:

Server ActiveSync -- This data-synchronization feature is used to sync email, calendar, and contacts with Pocket PC and Windows Smart Phone devices.  Server ActiveSync offers several advanced features, including message truncation, which by default synchronizes only the first 0.5KB of each message to the device.  (If you want to view the entire message or download attachments, you must select "Mark for Download" in Microsoft Pocket Outlook on your Pocket PC or Windows Smart Phone device.)

Server ActiveSync requires the use of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), so data is encrypted to/from the Exchange server to the device. The advantage of using Server ActiveSync is that following synchronization, you can view and manipulate messages, calendar items, and contacts offline without needing an ongoing wireless connection.

Notification Services -- This data-push feature permits similar push functionality to that of Research In Motion's (RIM's) BlackBerry devices. To enable full functionality, you need to ensure that devices have the appropriate client software. The advantage of notification functionality is that a notification-capable device can proactively alert you to new messages, calendar changes, and so on. (Otherwise, you see new messages only when you connect) 

If a device doesn't natively support Exchange 2003 notifications, you can use Short Message Services (SMS) to trigger a Server ActiveSync session and download the most recent messages to the device.  Your phone subscription must support SMS; ask your provider for assistance to ensure this feature is enabled.

Outlook Mobile Access (OMA) 2003 -- This data-browse feature lets you establish a real-time connection with Exchange from a browser-enabled wireless Internet device.  The advantage of OMA is that it supports many non-Microsoft devices.  Also, because data doesn't reside locally on the device, physical security is enhanced.  In addition to the devices that the MIS 2002 version of OMA supports, OMA 2003 supports iMode and Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) 2.0 devices.

For learn more about mobile devices, go to our Mobile Phones page.

Access and instructions

Use this instruction set with your Medical ID credentials to connect your web-enabled mobile phone or PDA to access the Medical Center's e-mail service.  (In our examples, we've used "Demouser" as the Medical ID.)

• Connect using Outlook Mobile Access to your e-mail, calendar, contacts, tasks and folders from web-enabled cell phones & PDAs navigate to the following web address: http://mobile.med.miami.edu/.  Enter your Medical ID to logon.

or,

• Connect using ActiveSync, enter the following settings:

Visit Microsoft's Pocket PC Home page for more information on ActiveSync.

• To use IMAP with clients and devices to send/receive e-mail, use the following information:

Exchange Server:  webmail.med.miami.edu
LDAP Server:  ldap.med.miami.edu
Search String: dc=ad,dc=med,dc= miami,dc=edu