The latest BlackBerry offering could appeal to smaller firms and larger ones wanting to try before they buy

Research In Motion (RIM) has introduced a version of its BlackBerry server product aimed at smaller businesses and customers outside its core enterprise market. The move could provide a cost-effective way for companies to trial mobile email before committing to a larger deployment.

BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express is available immediately as a free download to customers purchasing a new BlackBerry handset. It provides exactly the same features and functionality as the full BlackBerry Enterprise Server 4.1, but only supports up to 15 user licences. A single user licence is included with the download.

"BlackBerry Enterprise Server is renowned for helping companies become more productive and responsive, while providing industry-leading security, functionality, manageability, and back-end integration," said RIM president Mike Lazaridis. “With BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express, we're now making it easier than ever for new customers to derive the full benefits of the BlackBerry solution.”

Customers can switch at any time to the full BlackBerry Enterprise Server. RIM said it will offer an upgrade that removes the 15-user limit and includes an extra five licences.

BlackBerry servers link to company email systems based on Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino or Novell Groupwise. Organisations also need client devices and a mobile data subscription with a carrier to be able to operate a mobile email service.