Would you like to read your UST e-mail on your mobile? Listed here are the three most common methods of syncing  the UST e-mail Exchange server to a mobile device.

Exchange Active Sync (EAS)

As mentioned in a Bulletin Today Tech Tuesday article published Sept. 15, EAS allows UST e-mail inbox, calendar and contact items to be synced to and from your mobile.

Because the information contained in the UST e-mail environment may be sensitive, using EAS requires an additional layer of security in the form of an access password – just as e-mail requires a NetID and password. Device owners create a password of their own choosing that will expire and need to be re-set every 120 days, just like a NetID password.

Another security feature that EAS requires causes mobiles to lock when unattended. This helps prevent access to the mobile if it is lost, stolen or otherwise not with its owner. The default time for locking is 10 minutes, but mobile owners can set it to a shorter time interval as desired.

The “mobile devices” field accessible under “options” in Outlook Web Access (OWA) uses EAS to allow mailbox owners to perform common device-management tasks such as removing the device from EAS, wiping all data from the device, and displaying the recovery password in case it’s forgotten.

EAS is not an available option on all mobiles. EAS availability on BlackBerries, for instance, varies from model to model in part because BlackBerry has its own proprietary solution for syncing mobile devices (see below).

Visit the Mobile Devices support page for more information on EAS, as well as specific instructions for setting up an EAS connection on popular mobiles, such as iPhones.

BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES)

BES offers the most complete access to information in the UST e-mail environment, but is only available on BlackBerries.

BlackBerry devices connected to BES are able to access all information in an e-mail mailbox, including tasks, sent items, deleted items, mail and calendars.

BlackBerry Enterprise Service is available on all BlackBerry models, but it requires both a separate software license fee and an option for BES service from a cellular service provider. Because of the necessity for software licensing with BES, the service is available only to UST faculty and staff.

The license fee can be paid either by a UST department or by the individual employee. Faculty and staff who want more information about having BES activated on their BlackBerries should contact the Tech Desk.

IMAP connection

IMAP allows a mobile device access to items in the UST “Inbox,” but contact and calendar items generally are not accessible from an IMAP connection. And although IMAP is the most universal way to access UST e-mail from a mobile, it is not recommended by IRT.

IMAP is less secure than EAS or BES. Anyone who comes into possession of a mobile using an IMAP connection may be able to obtain personal information stored on the device, or may even be able to send e-mail as though it were coming from the mobile’s owner.

IMAP is less stable than EAS or BES. IMAP connections tend to be disrupted as routine maintenance is applied to the Exchange server, causing a loss of functionality for existing connections. In these instances, the connection issue is resolved by simply deleting the existing connection and re-mapping it using the information provided in the chart near the bottom of this page.

However, in some instances IMAP may be the only option available for syncing UST e-mail to a mobile. For assistance with the necessary configuration settings required for an IMAP connection, visit the IRT IMAP connection support page.