BIS and BES-WTF?

So you're ready to start getting email on your phone but what does BIS/BES have to do with it?

For starters, they both have deliver data to your blackberry. The real difference is where the server resides and the level of control and security you get.

BIS (BlackBerry Internet Service) gives you access to the Internet. The same way your home internet service let's you get online.  Every time your BlackBerry gets an email, or goes to a webpage it does so through BIS (unless of course you're using
BES). Your carrier (Sprint, Verizon, etc) operates the server. Information sent and received is encrypted, but that's about the extent of the security features. All traffic essentially goes out over the Internet.  Security becomes the responsibility of the BlackBerry application in question, so there are no security guarantees. Individuals and small companies will typically find that BIS is completely sufficient for their data needs. There is no set up required and your device can access the internet and receive email immediately.

BES (BlackBerry Enterprise Server) allows corporate intranet access. Intranet is the private, internal, network within a company. Aside from getting your corporate email the device can be remotely lock and wiped-very handy if a phone is lost/stolen. You can also "push" applications to other handsets within the company without having to even physically touch them. Your company operates the server, usually with it sitting somewhere within the corporate network with the IT department controlling all aspect of the BES server. The IT department also has the ability to disable your device if it's been compromised. Larger organizations, with their own internal mail systems and other infrastructure, should definitely be using BES. Your IT department will have to set up BES for your handheld.