Synchronization of PDA/Phone and Oracle Calendar with SyncML
What is SyncML? (From IBM.com)
SyncML is the leading open industry standard for universal synchronization of remote data and personal information across multiple networks, platforms, and devices. Because it supports multiple transport protocols, SyncML easily passes data across the vast array of networks and networked devices.
SyncML's advantages can be summarized as follows:
- Works over all networks -- both wireless and wired
- Supports multiple transport protocols, including HTTP, WSP (Wireless Session Protocol), OBEX (Bluetooth, IrDA), SMTP, pure TCP/IP networks, and proprietary communication protocols
- Supports such common personal data formats as vCard, vCalendar, iCalendar, and e-mail, among others
- Optimized for small-memory-footprint mobile devices
Based on tested Internet protocols and Web technologies for easier implementation and interoperability testing.
How do I use SyncML technology to synchronize my PDA/phone with Oracle calendar data?
- You need to purchase and download an application to your phone PDA that will use SyncML for this. For example Synthesis AG offers clients that will work on a large number of phones in http://www.synthesis.ch/dl_client.php?lang=e&lay=desk
Please make sure you choose the correct application to download/purchase. This company offers a standard and a professional version. We recommend the Professional version (as always “what you pay for is what you get”). - You will find detailed directions with the client application you downloaded, but you will also need the following information that is specific to the Rice Oracle Calendar configuration. (Please avoid typographical errors, they will result in failure to sync.)
The URL for the Oracle Server: https://webcal.rice.edu/ocas-bin/ocas.fcgi Contacts Server Path: ./ContactsThe Events Server Path: ./Calendar/Events
As always please call xHELP or submit a request for help from http://helpdesk.rice.edu if you have any more questions. An example of the complete directions using a Treo700W phone follow.
EXAMPLE: TREO 700W Configuration
Recommended Operational Configuration:
User email account is configured for IMAP and desires to receive email messages automatically. Use Oracle Calendar for scheduling and contact information. Syncing of account information is performed wirelessly.
NOTE: Syncing of Oracle Calendar and Contacts is not automated and must be initiated manually with the STD version. Customer should develop the practice of initiating a sync prior to adding appointments to the calendar. The Pro version allows this process to be automated.
Email Setup:
- Start / Messaging
- Menu / Tools / New Account
- 5 pages of info to be entered
- e-mail address
- Auto Configuration
- Displayed Name, User name, Password. Check Save Password
- Account Type: Select IMAP4
- Server Information
- Incoming Mail: imap.mail.rice.edu
- Outgoing Mail: smtp.mail.rice.edu
- Domain: <Blank>
- Menu / Tools / Options
- *IMAP4
- Verify setting on pages 1 thru 4
- Page 4 – Select Options
- P1) Select Connect & check messages time (Defaults to 15 Min) Connection setting is “The Internet”
- P2) Select display Message time frame window (Defaults to last 3 days) Check Require SSL Connection
- P3) Message download selection (default to headers only, including 2K of body.
E-mail is now configured. Turn Phone on.
- Start / Messaging
- Menu / Send/Receive
* Treo will connect to broadband and download messages
Oracle Setup:
- Download SyncML Client.
- On the Treo 700w, go to Start / Internet Explorer
- Go to www.synthesis.ch , find the download page, find the Synthesis SyncML Client V2.5 for Windows Mobile 5. Use the direct download into a Pocket PC Link provided.
- NOTE: this is a 30 day trial copy. The customer will need to purchase a full license ($25 for STD, $60 for Pro Version)
- Launch SyncML (Start / Programs : Click on Synthesis Sync ML ICON)
- Check Contact and Events
- Click on EXTRAS
- Click on Settings
- General Tab – Enter server setting below
- https://webcal.rice.edu/ocas-bin/ocas.fcgi
- <username> <password> that they use for Oracle Calendar
- Organizer Tab
- Contacts
- Sync Mode: Normal
- Server Path: ./Contacts
- Events
- Sync Mode: Normal
- Server path: ./Calendar/Events
- Select the view window, if desired
- Proxy Tab, Check Use Connection’s Proxy Setting
- Click OK to save settings
- Click the Synchronize ICON (Blue and Green Horizontal Arrows). Internet connection should be made and completed OK displayed if successful.
Open Calendar by going to Start / Calendar and verify that events synchronized.
Also see the smartphone overview (PowerPoint slideshow).
