Posts in Category: End-user

PINpoint Configuration Worksheets 

For PINpoint versions 2.6 and above.

We have created these Configuration Worksheets, to help users organize their ideas and assist in the definition of Documents, Collections and Channels.

What is new in PINpoint v2.5? 

PINpoint v2.5 introduces a new feature that greatly enhances its value: the ability to "push" documents to BlackBerry devices, in addition to the traditional Contact Lists.

For example, this feature allows clients to ensure they always have access to the latest Emergency Manuals on their BlackBerry handhelds, even if the organization's systems are down or unreachable.

Using the PINpoint Management Console, the system administrator specifies the URL's of the documents to be pushed, and the sequence in which they will be presented on the handheld. Documents are grouped into Collections, which are then mapped to Groups of recipients. Groups are created dynamically by PINpoint, based on each person's attributes, as defined in the organization's BlackBerry server or Corporate Directory (e.g. Microsoft Active Directory or Novell eDirectory).

This design provides simplicity and flexibility, while greatly reducing or even eliminating the need for any additional maintenance, and ensures that users receive only the information that is relevant to them based on, for example, the city or department they work at, their job title, or they membership in specific groups.

For more information, please refer to our 2-page Product Summary, or watch our latest PINpoint videos in PINpoint videos in YouTube

How can I check my BlackBerry device Browser Options? 

On most BlackBerry models:

  1. Open BlackBerry browser
  2. Click on Options
  3. Go to Browser Configuration
  4. Make sure the following are checked: Support for JavaScript; Support for Html tables; Support for Style Sheets; Content Mode WML & HTML
  5. Save your changes.

Can PINpoint be configured so that only some users are able to see a restricted group of contacts? 

Yes. This can be defined through the PINpoint Management Console by changing the mapping of Content Scopes to Recipient Groups.

Multiple mappings are also possible. For example, PINpoint could be configured to only provide users with contacts in their own department, while executives and disaster recovery personnel could be allowed to see contacts across all departments.

Can some users be allowed to see all the contact groups in their PINpoint browser? 

Yes. By default, PINpoint displays all contacts to all recipients, i.e. the Content Scope ALL is mapped to the Recipient Group ALL.

The Administrator, through the PINpoint Management Console, could target specific content to specific recipients by defining groups of contacts, and mapping the content to groups of recipients.
 

These selections can be made based on any attribute of the person or device, as defined in your BlackBerry Server or Corporate Directory.

Can a person be a member of more than one group of PINpoint recipients? 

Yes. The PINpoint list that each BlackBerry device receives is an aggregation based on all the Recipient Groups and Content Scopes with whom the user is associated.

For example if a person is an Executive and also a member of the Emergency Team, the person will receive a list that combines all the contacts that apply to both Executives and Emergency staff.

Can I search my PINpoint contacts list? 

Yes. Press the BlackBerry menu key and select 'Find' (or just press 'F' on most BlackBerry models).

You can also use common BlackBerry keyboard shortcuts to navigate the list, including:

  • 'F' to Find
  • 'T' to go to Top of list
  • 'B' to go to Bottom of list
  • Space bar to go down one page
  • Shift-Space bar to go up one page
  • 'R' to refresh the contact list

Note that shortcut behaviour may vary by BlackBerry model; consult your user's manual.

Can different PINpoint contacts be pushed to different groups of users? 

Yes. Your Administrator can easily target customized contact lists to specific groups of recipients.

For example, Administrators can filter your contacts so that you see only your department, while another user can see the entire organization. This filtering can be done based on attributes of the target device (e.g. cellular carrier, model, memory, etc) or attributes of the person (e.g. department, city, title, etc).

Can I sort the PINpoint list by group or position? 

Your PINpoint contacts are sorted by the first field that is displayed on the list, as per your Administrator's chosen configuration. By default this first field is the person's full name.

By changing the display order of the contact fields, an Administrator can make your contacts appear sorted alphabetically by city, department, or position/title.

Alternatively, starting with v2.1 of PINpoint, your Administrator can define groupings of contacts based on static or dynamic parameters.

What can PINpoint save locally on the BlackBerry? 

By default PINpoint stores four values for each contact displayed plus the links hidden under each field. By default, these fields are: Full Name, Mobile Phone Number, E-Mail Address and PIN Number.

The Administrator can easily customize PINpoint to provide additional information from BlackBerry Server or from your Corporate Directory. For example, PINpoint can display your contacts' office phone numbers, position titles, departments, or locations.

These information can be presented on the device using different layouts, and combinations of text or icons. The hyperlinks under each field can also be easily customized to, for example, open a map when you click on the zip/postal code of your contact.

What maintenance is involved to keep the contact information PINpoint uses up to date? 

No additional maintenance is required.

Once it's configured, PINpoint will automatically collect and deliver the most up-to-date contact lists following the schedule you designated.

PINpoint collect its information from the authoritative sources of data:

  • BlackBerry Enterprise Server: this is where your company already activates or deactivates BlackBerry devices.
  • Corporate Directory: this is where your company already adds or removes people and organizational data.

How can I get contact information that is not shown in PINpoint? 

By default, PINpoint displays information found on your BlackBerry Server, such as Full Name, Mobile Phone Number, PIN Number and E-Mail Address.

If you want to include additional information, such as other phone numbers, addresses, or departments, the PINpoint Administrator can configure it to retrieve that information from your corporate Directory (e.g. Microsoft Active Directory, Novell eDirectory, Lotus Notes Directory, or any other standard LDAP directory).

Alternatively, you could use our cDir product to create links from the PINpoint list to perform real-time queries against your Corporate Directory and display information such as title, department, groups, addresses, phones, reporting relationships, photos, etc. Note however that, unlike PINpoint, cDir does require your servers to be accessible (i.e. it is not recommended for BCP or CoOP scenarios).

Why do I need PINpoint, if I can find my contact's PIN number by doing a lookup? 

When you do a BlackBerry lookup, your device needs to contact your BlackBerry Server. If your server or network become unavailable, for whatever reason, this information is not available and the lookup will fail.

PINpoint stores the entire PIN list in your BlackBerry's cache memory. With PINpoint you can keep in touch, even during outages and emergencies.

What is BlackBerry PIN messaging? 

Every BlackBerry ever manufactured has a unique Personal Identification Number (PIN) embedded in it. This unique number stays with the device regardless of who the user is.

PIN messaging is essentially Instant Messaging for BlackBerrys, that uses this PIN identifier to address and deliver text messages. Unlike email, which relies on your own messaging servers to function, PIN messaging is routed and delivered by the global RIM infrastructure, without relying on your IT infrastructure.

This characteristic is what makes PIN messaging a great communications option for Business Continuity Plans (BCP, also known as CoOP Continuity of Operations Plans).

Tenet's PINpoint is the tool that ensures that your users always have the latest list of contacts and their device PINs, to ensure communications may continue even during a major emergency.


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