Disadvantages
Mobile Information Server is a solid product that integrates well with Exchange and other Microsoft products. I use Server ActiveSync to synchronize my Exchange email, calendar, and contacts. However, using Mobile Information Server has a few disadvantages.
Because Mobile Information Server supports only Pocket PCs and simple WAP-enabled devices, Mobile Information Server is a point solution. Support for other devices requires additional infrastructure.
To use all of Mobile Information Server's features, you must use Active Directory (AD) updates. In addition, Server ActiveSync and most other Exchange-related features in Mobile Information Server work only with Exchange 2000 Server. Only Outlook Mobile Access works with Exchange Server 5.5.
There's More Than One WAG in Town
In early 2002, Microsoft announced that it would discontinue the Mobile Information Server product line. So what does this mean? If you're using Exchange 2000 and you don't plan to upgrade to Exchange Server 2003 (formerly code-named Titanium) in the near future, Mobile Information Server might still be the product for you. However, if you're planning to upgrade to Exchange 2003, you don't need Mobile Information Server because Microsoft will include most of Mobile Information Server's Exchange-related functionality in Exchange 2003. Microsoft is possibly including Mobile Information Server's Intranet Browse functionality and Web security—related features in the next version of Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000.
Many other WAGs are also available for you to consider. Most of these WAGs have features similar to those in Mobile Information Server. Four popular WAGs are XcelleNet's Afaria, JP Mobile's SureWave Enterprise Server, the Synchrologic Mobile Suite, and Extended Systems' XTNDConnect Server. Table 1 compares these four WAGs' features with those in Mobile Information Server.
When you're comparing the various WAGs, keep in mind that many of the current WAG vendors will likely go out of business or be acquired in the near future because of the volatile market. So when you're selecting a WAG, consider the vendor's financial stability and strength.
Weighing the WAGs
WAGs can provide significant benefits to enterprises that must support mobile and wireless solutions. If you're in the market for a WAG, your best bet is to look for a WAG that supports multiple devices, data sources, and connectivity options. The WAG should also support industry standards so that you can easily integrate it into your enterprise. Mobile Information Server is a solid WAG. However, it doesn't support many devices and lacks some administration capabilities. In the short term, often the best solution is to implement several WAGs. That way, you can take advantage of the best that each product has to offer.
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