PocketMac doesn't allow local sync if you have a BES server

At work, we've just deployed Blackberry 8330 smartphones. I'm trying to get mine to work with my MacBook. I got excited because Blackberry makes a Mac sync tool, PocketMac for BlackBerry, available for Mac users. It's a free download.

Our BlackBerries are synced with the University's Exchange server via a local BES server. Unfortunately, this knocks out PocketMac synchronization to the Blackberry. See below, from the PocketMac site. It details a fairly painful workaround:

PocketMac Support Site

BlackBerry Enterprise Server links with Microsoft Exchange Server. This software package allows you to receive: Contacts, Calendar, Notes and Tasks events while you are on the road or near the office.

Although this feature is very useful, it will disable/stop local syncing to your Macintosh at home and/or work. You will need to disable this feature on your BlackBerry device to re-enable local synchronization again.

Please do the following with your BlackBerry disconnected from your Macintosh:

Address Book
1. Go To Address Book, view contacts, press wheel In, go to'Options', Address Book Options appears, You should see an option that displays 'Wireless Synchronization', Press wheel in again, select disable/off. Save and Exit.

Calendar
2. Go To Calendar, view calendar, press wheel In, go to 'Options', Calendar Options appears, You should see an option that displays 'Wireless Synchronization', Press wheel in again, select disable/off. Save and Exit.

Tasks
3. Go To Tasks, view tasks, press wheel In, go to 'Options', Task Options appears, You should see an option that displays 'Wireless Synchronization', Press wheel in again, select disable/off. Save and Exit.

Notes
4. Go To Notes, view notes, press wheel In, Go to 'Options', Notes Options appears, You should see an option that displays 'Wireless Synchronization', Press wheel in again, select disable/off. Save and Exit.

When you go back into the office tomorrow and want to resume syncing with your BES server, just reverse those simple steps, and you're ready to go.

PocketMac Team

Sorry, but those "simple steps" are too much for me - when all I wanted was to synchronize my task list from Entourage. :)