An External ActiveSync Monitoring Solution Available

Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync is a proprietary technology that enables devices to synchronize mail clients with Microsoft Exchange Server mailboxes. Most smartphones and a number of desktop mail applications use ActiveSync to access the Exchange. If ActiveSync is down, services such as push email, calendaring and contact sync are unavailable.

So basically, this little company called Dotcom-Monitor, is the only tool that can enable system administrators to monitor core exchange server components and ensure all services work properly, externally. They check from an external and an internal point that encompasses all components of Exchange, including: ActiveSync, SMTP, POP3, IMAP4, OWA, Storage, Utilization, Queues and a few other things. 

From what I have seen, Dotcom-Monitor is the only tool for monitoring ActiveSync externally. Their system logs into an Exchange server, sends an email to a specified mailbox and then retrieves the same email. This round-trip process lets us know if ActiveSync is working and Exchange is processing emails correctly. As larger companies, and even small business know, this could be of great value during critical times.

They also offer a solution for Outlook Web Access and provide a way to access Exchange mailboxes through a web browser. Outlook Web Access relies on Microsoft’s IIS web service and an Exchange store to work properly. Using their Everystep Scripting Tool (a free download by the way), you can create a monitoring script to monitor Outlook Web Access by simulating a login via a real web browser and then verifying contents of the mailbox. You can then set this script to run as often as needed to ensure access and function, with alerts when errors are present.