Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync is a protocol developed by Microsoft and licensed by palmOne.  It allows applications to talk directly to MS Exchange Server 2003 ? in most cases without any additional middleware.  Prior to Exchange ActiveSync, access to native Exchange was only possible through the use of third-party servers installed behind the firewall (for example, Good, RIM, Visto, etc.).

Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync is currently available with the Treo™ 650 smartphone and the LifeDrive™ mobile manager.  It is not available for the Tungsten™ T5 handheld or the Treo 600 smartphone.

Exchange ActiveSync works with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003.

No. Exchange ActiveSync works only with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. It does not support previous versions of Exchange, or Lotus Notes/Domino.

It provides basic Exchange synchronization support for email using the included VersaMail® 3.1 email client and Calendar application.

Exchange ActiveSync provides a full sync of the Inbox.  Messages sent on the device will be sent using the Exchange server, and a copy of sent messages will be added to the Sent Items folder on the server.  Messages deleted on the device will be moved to the Deleted Items folder on the server.  Meeting invitations are displayed in the Inbox; users can Accept, Tentatively accept, or decline meetings - with or without comments.

A full sync of the Calendar is provided.  New and updated events from the server are brought down to the device; new and updated events from the device are sent up to the server.  Meetings attendees are synchronized, but all meeting acceptances/declines are handled through email.

You can create Calendar events - meetings that involve just yourself - and those events are synchronized back to the Exchange server.  However, you can't create an event and invite other people to it from the device.

There are two ways to sync:

• Manual: Users sync with Exchange wirelessly by selecting the Sync button in VersaMail. This will sync both email and calendar data; there is no Sync button in Calendar.
• Scheduled: Users can create an Auto Sync schedule by going to the Options menu in VersaMail and choosing Preferences.  One of the preferences is "Auto Sync."  Setting this schedule will allow for automatic synchronization of email and calendar data at specified intervals.

When using Exchange ActiveSync, email and calendar info sync wirelessly only; they do not sync when performing a HotSync® operation.

Yes. The VersaMail® email client continues to support many email attachment types for all email accounts, including text, photos (using Media application), HTML (using Blazer® web browser), and native Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (using DataViz Documents to Go 7).

A user can set up an Exchange ActiveSync account by using the VersaMail Account Setup Wizard on the Windows PC desktop.  Alternatively, a user can set up EAS using the Account Setup Wizard in VersaMail on the device.

You'll need to know:

• Corporate email username
• Corporate email password
• Corporate email address
• Corporate Exchange server address
• Corporate or wireless proxy server if necessary
• If a VPN is required

For Exchange ActiveSync to work, companies must:

• Use MS Exchange Server 2003
• Have mobile access turned on for its users (this is the default)
• Allow access to Exchange via SSL with or without a proxy; some companies may require a VPN

Yes. Access to Exchange info is through wireless sync only.  Mac users must setup an account on the device only.

To stop using Exchange ActiveSync, a user must delete the account in VersaMail.  Doing this will remove the email account from the device; it will also sever Calendar's association with the Exchange server and delete Calendar info on the device.

No, you can sync only your Inbox.  Messages sent on the device will be sent using the Exchange server, and a copy of sent messages will be added to the Sent Items folder on the server.  Messages deleted on the device will be moved to the Deleted Items folder on the server.

No, you respond to meeting invitations through VersaMail.

Exchange ActiveSync provides direct access to Exchange using SSL.  Some companies may require its users to go through a proxy server or log in using a VPN client. palmOne's product will work using SSL, or with a supported VPN.  The product also supports access through a proxy server (this can be specified through VersaMail Account Setup).

Companies that require the use of custom-made or SSL certificates signed by a trusted authority may have trouble using palmOne's implementation of Exchange ActiveSync.