We have completed our migration from Good Mobile Messaging to ActiveSync. Overall, ActiveSync is working great for us and considering the price, a better fit for us. Here are a few of the differences we have noticed…

ActiveSync on the Palm Treo 700p:
Positives

  • Native application on the Palm - no software to install (other than the EAS Update).
  • Use of default Palm Apps for Calendar, Contacts and Email - these apps have intuitive, well designed user interfaces.
  • Email, Contacts and Calendars items are delivered real time (direct push).
  • Global Address Book lookup.
  • Support for emailing photos from the Treo camera.
  • No separate server software to manage or middlemen involved in relaying
  • No additional licensing costs! All you need is Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 SP2 or newer and an Internet enabled mobile that supports ActiveSync..

Negatives

  • No access to email folders other than the inbox.
  • No centralized user control - if the phone is lost or stolen, there is no way for an administrator to remotely lock out the data.
  • The email application does not save your state, if you make or receive a phone call while reading an email, when you return you are greeted with the default inbox listing.
  • No syncing of tasks or memos.

Good Mobile Messaging on the Palm Treo 700p:
Positives

  • Email application has a preview option for the emails when browsing through a folder.
  • Access to all personal email folders on the Exchange server.
  • Saved state in all applications - when you make a call, you can return right where you left off.
  • Centralized user and application management - makes for easy mobile deployment, quick phone restores and remote termination.
  • Syncing calendar, contacts, email, memos, and tasks.
  • Global Address List access
  • Support for additional custom applications (such as accessing SharePoint data off the internal network).

Negatives

  • Good Mobile Messaging does not use any of the native Palm applications, it installs its own suite which is not as intuitive, user friendly or stable.
  • No support for emailing photos from the Treo camera.
  • Separate server software - Good Server and Management Console have to be installed and maintained on a separate box from the Exchange Server.
  • Middlemen - Good relays the data for you.
  • Licensing Costs - Good has switched to a pricing model similar to Blackberry, users have to add the service through their mobile carrier.