BES = BlackBerry Enterprise Server, most often directly connected with an email server (MS Exchange, Lotus Notes, etc.)
Basically, a BES is purchased by an Enterprise organization (e.g., Ford, IBM, Microsoft, etc.) - a place with lots of employees, many of whom have BlackBerries and wish to access their corporate email (among other things).
A BES will work with any BB phone that executes an Enterprise Activation to it. The BES must be set up to allow a particular phone to connect, so it's not like you could Enterprise Activate to Microsoft's BES if you don't actually work there.
Due to the BES's high price and rather large amount of maintenance (it's a Jaguar of the server world - you kind of have to hire someone to manage it full-time), RIM also offers something called "BIS" - BlackBerry Internet Service. This is managed by RIM, and permits email access through a carrier-specific host (e.g., att.blackberry.net, sprint.blackberry.net). Push technology does not work through a BIS, however.
Rumor has it that RIM also offers a "Personal" BES - no support, but meant for the married couple who both own BlackBerries and want to keep their calendars in synch regarding who's supposed to pick up the kids and when.
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Karl G. Kowalski
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Owns a RAZR
Develops for BlackBerry
So next phone will be........an iPhone 3G!
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