 |
the
SyncML initiative |
In
the mobile information society that we now find ourselves in, you should
be able to access your personal files, data and e-mail from the device
at hand - anywhere at anytime. Not only should you be able to read the
data, but also change it, and have changes updated on all your appliances.
From your mobile device to the networked device, everything should be collected,
processed and sent on the fly without complications. As an example, e-mail
read on your handheld computer should automatically be shown as a read
e-mail on your desktop.
Until
now, the progress of mobile data synchronization has mostly been determined
by restrictions. Data synchronization has been based on a set of different,
proprietary protocols, each functioning only with a very limited number
of devices, systems and data types. These non-interoperable technologies
have complicated the tasks of users, manufacturers, service providers,
and developers. Further, a proliferation of different, proprietary data
synchronization protocols has placed barriers to the extended use of mobile
devices, has restricted data access and delivery and limited the mobility
of the users.
Therefore,
several world leaders in communication and computing have joined forces
to make a new synchronization protocol that makes it possible to get ubiquitous
access to updated information with any application.
The
result is the cross-industry initiative SyncML.
SyncML
is the common language for synchronizing all devices and applications over
any network. SyncML leverages Extensible Markup Language (XML), making
SyncML a truly future-proof platform. With SyncML, networked information
can be synchronized with any mobile device, and mobile information can
be synchronized with any networked applications. With SyncML any personal
information, such as email, calendars, to-do lists, contact information
and other relevant data, will be consistent, accessible and up to date,
no matter where the information is stored. For example, a calendar entry
made to a mobile device on a business trip is equally available to a secretary
in the network calendar. SyncML is the ultimate choice for remote synchronization.
SyncML is designed especially with the wireless world's tight requirements
in the mind. SyncML minimizes the use of bandwidth and can deal with special
challenges of wireless synchronization like relatively low reliability
of the connection and high network latency. In addition to that SyncML
enables synchronization over fixed networks, infrared, cable, or Bluetooth.
As an open, future-proof standard, SyncML is the synchronization choice
for any device or application of the Mobile Information Society!
