On the server side, PINpoint is comprised of an ASP.NET web application and a Windows-based console application. PINpoint does not require a dedicated server.
On the BlackBerry side, PINpoint does not require any additional software, as it is presented using the device browser.
All administration is accomplished through a web-based Management Console hosted on the PINpoint web server. Through the Management Console, PINpoint is configured to collect documents from any reachable web server or web-enabled repository, and contact lists by connecting to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) management database to read BlackBerry information such as the email address, phone number and PIN number of each BlackBerry user-device. The BES management database is hosted in a Microsoft SQL server (could be MSDE or SQL Express for very light usage).
In addition, user information can be retrieved from any LDAP v3 compliant data source. The content for the PINpoint contact lists is generated from a combination of information from the BES Management database and any configured LDAP sources. The PINpoint list fields can be linked to BlackBerry smartphone applications (phone, messaging, etc.), or other mobile web applications via a URL (maps, webservices, cDir queries, etc).
PINpoint utilizes the push capabilities of the BES Mobile Data Service to store the content in the handheld’s BlackBerry Browser cache. The PINpoint content can then be accessed through an icon representing the push channel on the BlackBerry home screen, or through a message in the Messages list (browser message). In either case, accessing the channel launches the BlackBerry Browser on the device to retrieve the PINpoint content from cache. The retention time until the cached information expires can be controlled from the Management Console (default is 10 weeks). If the content has expired, the browser will attempt to retrieve updated information. Updated content can be pushed to handheld devices through the Management Console by using the push console application, or through a defined push schedule. The user can also do a browser "refresh" to query the PINpoint back-end for the latest content, assuming the back-end is reachable.
PINpoint Enterprise edition adds the ability to read multiple BES databases and to push using multiple MDS servers.
PINpoint Enterprise Edition also has the ability to read linked data from non-BES sources, such as an Excel spreadsheet, a database or a directory. This feature is useful when you want your contact lists to included people that don't have BlackBerrys or that are not members of your organization. Alternatively, you could push one or more documents with additional contact lists (e.g. internal or external people that do not have an Enterprise-activated BlackBerry).