To Sync or Sink?, Mar 4

A client asked me to investigate sync software for linking Palm OS and Pocket PC devices to the standard databases in Notes, eg, mail, calendar, address book, etc. I thought this would be a simple matter of determining whether to go for IntelliSync or iAnywhere Pylon, but I feel as though I've stumbled into a hornet's nest. To wit:

• IntelliSync 5.1.2: IntelliSync 5.1.2 supports Notes 6.0 (as well as Outlook, GroupWise, Organizer and other products ... which is great), but not Notes 6.5.1 which the client is using. IntelliSync also does not support Palm's default VersaMail email client ... one has to download and install a separate email client from IntelliSync Corporation to give email sync functionality. What a waste of time! Also, why is it so necessary to change the translators in IntelliSync for Notes 4.6, 5.0, 6.0 and beyond? Can't IntelliSync just write a Notes conduit? If this is too complicated for me with a brand new laptop, brand new Palm device, and fresh installation of IntelliSync (brand new boxed copy delivered on Monday) ... what's Jon's Aunt Tillie going to think?
• iAnywhere Pylon for Palm 5.2.3: Palm support? Check. Pocket PC support? Check. Notes support? Check. However, when I installed Pylon yesterday it didn't sync properly, and then would change all of the sync settings in HotSync Manager after each synchronization. Today, the installation went better, because it worked. This product is back in the running.
• IBM Lotus EasySync 4.2.1: Thanks to Shane Ross at IBM NZ, I'm led to believe that EasySync Pro 4.2.1 will support Notes 6.5. Great. The documentation on the EasySync Pro site (current to 4.2) only mentions "6" in some places, and "6.x" in others. Is there a free trial download available, as for IntelliSync (which I actually purchased after testing) and Pylon (which I also purchased after testing)? No. So now I have to wait until I can get a boxed copy delivered by courier to test. At least there's some light at the end of the tunnel.

Closing comments on this RANT: This is not good enough. The industry needs a more reliable, more robust, more update mechanism for doing sync between devices and computers. iSync on my Mac works great, but it's only the "alpha geeks" (thanks for that term Volker) who have seen the light so far. Secondly, is it really necessary to require an upgrade to products for IntelliSync for every new version of Notes? Do those underlying pieces change that much between versions? If not, perhaps IntelliSync's approach is more designed to assure ongoing revenue from forced upgrades.

Comments

[Eric Mack]

Michael,

A month ago, I deployed a Pylon iAnywhere Server and a Pylon Mobile Application Server with outstanding success. I believe that have a sound foundation for deploying and managing a mobile work force across a variety of portable clients. With proper integration, the combination of Lotus Notes, Pylon iAnywhere, and the Treo 600 successfully finally delivers the desktop extension that vendors (and us consultants) have spoken of for years.

Thanks for your web site. A valuable resource. Keep up the good work!
Eric Mack