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I was disappointed after upgrading to SmarterMail 5.5, on it's functionality using syncML. I was hoping to replace some Exchanger 2007 and BES servers with SmarterMail.

I did however, build a Funambol server with the Exchange Connector and have a well working system that pushes Contacts, Calendar, EMAIL, etc. Just what I need to do. However, it is still using MS Exchange 2007 in the mix.

For those of us who work in IT and understand computer system, the IMAP setup and Timed Sync for Contact, Calendar, etc. works fine. Yet, for the rest of the world, it dose not work well. It confuses them and therefore generates too many support phone calls just to remind them to press the send/receive menu item within the IMAP client.

I would suggest the following, if ST is not planing to add E-mail sync and Push to SmarterMail quickly, then may I suggest building a Funambol connector for SmarterMail 5.5 Enterprise.

The bottom line is this, the end users want everything spoon feed to them. When Email arrives, they want it automatically put on their Blackberry / PDA / Smartphone. When their secretary updates their calendar, they want it updated automatically on their device. If they update their calendar, they want their secretary to get it automatically. NO BUTTON PUSHING, NO SETTING, JUST SPOON FEED ME!

6 months ago, I had to shut down most of my SmarterMail servers, and replace them with Exchange 2007 and BES. I HATE MS EXCHANGE!!!! I am trying to revive my SmarterMail Servers, but I need PUSH sync with Email Sync.

Mark Esser

Currently there is no true push email for Windows Mobile except an Exchange Server. IMAP Idle is the next best thing, but it is not that reliable (ie you still have to manually resync if you lose connection).

What you are asking for would be really nice, but sadly it doesn't exist yet. 

More information on syncML.

syncML 7.0.7 for outlook 2007 does not work with SmarterMail 5.5 properly. If you do a by-directional sync using this plugin, you will end up with duplicated recurring scheduling items all over the place. Moreover, the same occures with the Contacts.

Remove the funambol 7.0.7 syncML plugin, clean up your Calendar in outlook, clean up your contacts. Reinstall the smartermail sync. sync the system, answer the conflicts resolution favioring the Outlook client and you are back to speed.

In my opionion, syncML in SmarterMail is a long time away from a production machine and should be a beta package.

Having spent most of my Engineering days designing and developing smart weapons, where a mistake will cost lives, I have learned a few things in building software. The steps are:

1. Preliminary Design
2. Preliminary Design Review
3. Critical Design
4. Critical Design Review
5. Testing Design
6. Testing Design Review
7. Coding stage
8. Testing stage
9. (X bird) alpha testing of operations system. (at least 3)
10. (B bird) beta testing of operations system. (at least 4)
11. Final review
12. Release.

even with all these safe-guards, there will still be bugs and must be addressed on the spot.

Mark Esser

Are you sure this bug is from SmarterMail? After all, SyncML is simply a protocol like POP3. The Funambol plugin is a 3rd party free plugin that may just as well be to blame. Have you tried another SyncML plugin?

NO.

The point is that if an average user follows the ST pdf white paper and goes to the funambol.com web site, the link for downloading the Outlook Plugin gives you 7.0.7 and the PocketPC gives you 7.0.8

One can not expect that a now IT person will even know how to go to the sourceforge system and find older plugins.

The suggestion here would be to have a downloadable file section with the Plugins that are known to work.

Mark Esser

Well, then I suppose ST should not recommend Funambol because of the apparent liability. Entering "syncml client" in Google revealed many options:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=syncml+client&btnG=Google+Search

The irony is that, as an IT professional for almost 8 years, I found various SyncML clients faster than I found the ST pdf white paper! I'm not sure why ST makes it so difficult to search their documentation.

 Been using Funambol 7.0.7 here fine .... how would I replicate one of the issues of which you speak?

setup

1. Windows XP machines with Service Pack 3 
2. Office 2007 PRO
3. set up 2 profiles in Outlook
4. Install Active Sync and run a few times
5. Add 3 or 4 Re Occuring appointments
6. Sync the System
7. Uninstall Active Sync
8. Reboot Computer
9. Install syncML addon for Office 2003 and above (7.0.7) from funambol website
10. Set up one of the 2 Profiles to your SmarterMail 5.5 server
11. Sync Once
12. Exit Outlook
13. Re-enter outlook
14. Sync Once
15. and then look at your calendar.
16. DUPLICATES EVERYWHERE and DAY and TIME CHANGED (This is for Re Occuring items)

additional note: HDC verizon VX6700 was in the mix. First with activeSync than with syncML (7.0.8)

 ADVTA,

    I'm running Funambol on a Windows SBS 2003 server with the Exchange connector.  Access to email is working fine (using email/IMAP connector) but I am having issues with getting the Exchange connector to attach to the Exchange server for PIM data.  Of course, I can use the Outlook PIM connector to push the info up, but that requires keeping the system up and running which doesn't work great when I have a laptop :-)  

   Although I found the guide for Installing & Configuring the exchange connector, it does not go into detail about basic troubleshooting, such as 'if this happens, it is probably this' etc.  That's the only problem I'm having - otherwise it seems to work great!

Thanks,

William