Microsoft yesterday announced the Messaging and Security feature pack for Windows Mobile 5.0. The software will make Microsoft a direct competitor to push email leader Research In Motion among others.

The feature pack includes Direct Push Technology, which keeps the business user’s Outlook Mobile up to date by delivering information quickly and directly to a Windows Mobile-based device from Exchange Server, without requiring businesses to pay for additional and costly servers or middleware.

By working with existing Exchange installations, Microsoft is taking a jab at RIM which requires a specialized BlackBerry server. Companies must run Exchange already to realize a benefit.