Duplication checking for sync

Posted on May 26, 2010 by Rushang

CompanionLink products have robust duplication-checking built right into the software. We’re working to update our algorithm to catch many new cases that arise when synchronizing between PC and the latest smartphones, tablets and mobile devices in the market.

Why does duplication occur?

Duplication is commonly seen when data is previously imported into a contact management or CRM database. For example, let’s say you want to sync Outlook to Google. If you have already imported data from Outlook into Google, the first “sync” you engage using CompanionLink for Google or using O2g will combine everything in Outlook with everything in Google.

Other times, there are issues with name matching. Are “John Smith” and “John R. Smith” the same person? CompanionLink contains logic to try to match names. However, we still find cases where Prefix, Middle Name or Suffix can throw things off. In addition, CompanionLink looks at phone numbers in duplication checking. The presence or absence of a number can impact whether a name is duplicated.

Updated duplication checking is coming soon to a CompanionLink and O2g build near you!

Sync BlackBerry with Outlook 2010 64-bit

Posted on May 24, 2010 by Andy Sheragy

Microsoft recently released Outlook 2010 to all Microsoft Volume Licensing customers, with full 64-bit compatibility being offered in core Office 2010 applications. One of the hitches about running Outlook 2010 64-bit is that 3rd-party add-ins generally must be written specifically for 64-bit.

Since Outlook 2010 has become available, some users have been reporting that they’re having trouble syncing BlackBerry to Outlook 2010 64-bit. CompanionLink has developed proprietary x64 sync technology which allows us to fully support sync with Outlook 2010 64-bit. CompanionLink is proud to offer three solutions to sync BlackBerry with Outlook 64-bit.

1. Sync BlackBerry with Outlook 2010 via USB

This method offers a simple secure sync of contacts, calendar, tasks and notes between Outlook and BlackBerry via the USB cable. Download Now

2. Sync BlackBerry with Outlook 2010 wireless via Google

This method syncs Outlook contacts and calendar to any Google account. The free Google Sync service can be used to wireless sync with BlackBerry. Download Now

3. Sync BlackBerry with Outlook 2010 using the CompanionLink Wireless Sync Service.

This method offers complete two-way sync of contacts, calendar and tasks between Outlook and BlackBerry using CompanionLink’s automatic wireless sync service for $9.95/month. Download Now

CompanionLink supports Outlook 2010 64-bit sync with BlackBerry, along with a wide variety of phones including Apple iPhone, Palm Pre, Android and Windows Mobile devices. For a full list of supported phones, and to download a free 14-day trial, visit www.companionlink.com/phones

The LG Ally is here – Sync it with your PC

Posted on May 20, 2010 by Andy Sheragy

The new Android-powered LG Ally is now available. CompanionLink is proud to offer complete two-way sync of calendar, contacts, tasks and notes between the LG Ally and the PC.

CompanionLink offers two different ways to sync with the LG Ally – wired USB sync and wireless sync via Google. CompanionLink’s wired USB sync with LG Ally works in conjunction with DejaOffice, an Android app that runs on the phone. DejaOffice provides advanced calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes apps that offer users more business-friendly functionality than the native apps on the phone. Users also have the option to sync calendar and contacts to the native apps on the LG Ally. CompanionLink’s wireless sync to LG Ally via Google lets users sync contacts and calendar data to any Google account, which then syncs to the phone through its wireless data connection.

CompanionLink supports LG Ally synchronization with multiple applications, including Microsoft Outlook, ACT! by Sage, Palm Desktop, Lotus Notes, GoldMine and GroupWise. CompanionLink also fully supports the new Outlook 2010 64-bit. CompanionLink’s sync solutions for the LG Ally start at $39.95, with a free 14-day trial available at www.companionlink.com/lg-ally.

Image courtesy of Verizon Wireless

Introducing DejaOffice for Android

Posted on May 14, 2010 by Andy Sheragy

CompanionLink is proud to announce DejaOffice for Android, a mobile office application suite for Android-powered devices.

DejaOffice contains robust contacts, calendar, tasks and notes apps that allow users to efficiently view, enter, update and manage contact and schedule information from their phone. Advanced features such as categories, custom fields, search across all data types, sort options, expense tracking, and linking of contacts to calendar items are included in the app. DejaOffice augments the Android contacts and calendar databases with enhanced functionality, and also offers robust tasks and notes apps originally missing from the Android platform.

Many business professionals are upgrading to the latest smartphones only to find that they are becoming increasingly consumer-oriented, and lack required business functionality. Many users, especially those coming from old Palm phones like the Treo or Centro, are dismayed when they upgrade to a newer platform and lose features and functions. DejaOffice is a solution to fill that gap, and bring Android devices more in line with how PC business software works.

DejaOffice works seamlessly with CompanionLink’s PC desktop synchronization and backup software. This allows two-way sync with applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes, GoldMine, GroupWise, ACT! by Sage and Palm Desktop. The DejaOffice app is currently available at no charge from the Android Market. More information is available at www.dejaoffice.com.

Update: For additional information on the latest version of DejaOffice for Android, check out the following posts:

Windows Guides reviews CompanionLink

Posted on May 14, 2010 by Andy Sheragy

A new review of CompanionLink has been posted over at the Windows Guides site. The review mentions, as posted earlier, that CompanionLink supports sync with Outlook 2010 64-bit. Head on over to https://mintywhite.com/software-reviews/companionlink-enables-sync-outlook-mobile/ to read the review.

CompanionLink launches O2g, a simple app to sync Outlook with Google

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Andy Sheragy

CompanionLink is proud to announce O2g, a fast, simple and affordable solution to synchronize Microsoft Outlook with any Google account. O2g delivers complete synchronization of calendar, contacts and tasks between any Google, Gmail, or Google Apps account and Microsoft Outlook 2000 and higher. O2g supports synchronization with the new Outlook 2010 64-bit, in addition to all versions of Palm Desktop.

O2g supports advanced functions such as mapping Outlook contact categories to Google Groups in Google Contacts. If the Google Groups don’t already exist, O2g will automatically create them to match the Outlook categories on the PC. In addition, Outlook tasks can be synchronized to Google Calendar as untimed calendar entries.

Using the free Google Sync service, O2g can synchronize Microsoft Outlook with many popular smartphones, including the Apple iPhone and iPad, BlackBerry, Android, Palm webOS, and Windows Mobile devices. O2g synchronizes Outlook calendar and contact data with Google, and then using Google sync, automatically updates the phone with the latest sync data.

O2g is now available for a one-time cost of $9.99, with a full 90 day guarantee. Support is offered via the official O2g forums, monitored by O2g personnel. For more information on O2g, visit www.o2gsync.com

Android takes the lead in US smartphone market

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Andy Sheragy

In a report released today by research firm NPD Group, it was shown that the sharp growth of the Android OS over the last two quarters has helped it surpass the iPhone and secure the number two spot in US smartphone share behind BlackBerry. Android’s remarkable growth can be attributed in part to the large success of the Motorola DROID on Verizon. Android has also done well due to the fact that it has permeated all the major US carriers, with models available such as the HTC Hero on Sprint, and the Motorola BACKFLIP on AT&T.

CompanionLink has been on the forefront of Android synchronization, offering support for Android since the flagship T-Mobile G1 launched in 2008. CompanionLink now offers two methods to sync Android – wired USB sync and wireless sync through Google. CompanionLink is planning to soon launch DejaOffice for Android, an integrated suite of calendar, contacts, tasks and notes apps that provide more advanced CRM functions than the native Android apps. As Android continues to sweep the market, CompanionLink has lots of great things planned for the future. Stay tuned!

UPDATE: SD card required for Android USB Sync

Posted on May 7, 2010 by Andy Sheragy

Last week, we saw the launch of the HTC Droid Incredible, an impressive new Android handset. The Incredible, as we soon discovered, was the first Android phone launched in the US in which some units did not ship with an SD card (but rather, boasted 8GB of internal memory). This initially presented a few problems, as CompanionLink’s USB sync for Android depends on a memory card being present to store the sync data. CompanionLink is currently evaluating the viability of using the phone’s internal memory to store sync data. To ensure your sync with the Droid Incredible runs without a hitch, make sure you have a microSD inserted into the phone.

MicroSD cards are cheap and readily available – Google should be able to help you track one down.

For more information about syncing the HTC Droid Incredible with your PC, head on over to www.companionlink.com/incredible

Image courtesy of SanDisk

KIN ONE and KIN TWO now available

Posted on May 6, 2010 by Andy Sheragy

Microsoft announced today the availability of their new social networking phones, the KIN ONE and the KIN TWO. The KIN is a new type of smartphone that has a strong focus on social media and networking. The KIN runs a proprietary Microsoft operating system that is neither Windows Mobile 6.5 nor Windows Phone 7. Rather, the KIN’s user interface resembles the Zune, Microsoft’s line of portable media players. How does this new operating system fit in alongside all the Androids, iPhones, BlackBerrys and Palms out there?

Image courtesy of Microsoft

Because the KIN runs a new proprietary operating system, that means that it doesn’t support the thousands of apps and third party software available for other phones running Microsoft operating systems. Unfortunately, that also means that the KIN is unable to synchronize data from the PC with CompanionLink.

CompanionLink is currently evaluating how to sync with the KIN platform. In the meantime, you can use CompanionLink to sync your PC with a wide variety of phones, including the iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Palm webOS, and Windows Mobile devices. More information, along with a 14-day free trial, is available at www.companionlink.com

Tech Tip: Avoid duplicates when switching to CompanionLink USB for Android phones

Posted on May 5, 2010 by Andy Sheragy

Android does a great job of keeping your contacts in sync between Google and your phone, but many users find that CompanionLink USB offers a more complete sync solution. However, users switching to CompanionLink USB run the risk of duplicating contacts upon the initial sync. To ensure a seamless migration to direct USB sync, follow these steps:

1. On your Android phone, disable Google contacts sync: https://www.companionlink.com/support/howto/disable-google-contacts-sync.html

2. On your PC, configure CompanionLink USB to Purge and Reload (Options -> Purge and Reload All).

3. Sync your Android phone using CL USB Sync.

This will clear your phone of all existing contacts, so make sure all your contacts are on your PC before performing the above steps. If you don’t have your contacts on your PC, you can first use CompanionLink USB to sync all your contacts on from your phone into Outlook. CompanionLink will then wipe the phone and do a fresh reload to ensure there are no duplicates. Once CompanionLink has synced contacts via USB, be careful about turning Google contacts sync back on unless you have also wiped all contacts from Google.

More info about CompanionLink sync solutions for Android, and a 14-day free trial, can be found at www.companionlink.com/android.

Tech Tip: Sync your overdue tasks to Google Calendar

Posted on May 4, 2010 by Andy Sheragy

CompanionLink for Google has the ability to sync tasks from the PC as calendar entries into the Google Calendar. If the tasks have a due date associated with them, those will map into the Google Calendar at the appropriate time and date. However, many users have been asking, “What happens to overdue tasks?”

CompanionLink syncs all overdue tasks into a single all-day entry on the Google Calendar. This makes it easy to quickly view a summary of all overdue tasks. When that task is completed on the PC, CompanionLink will sync changes and remove that task from the list of overdue tasks.

CompanionLink for Google retails for $39.95, a 14-day free trial is available here.

UPDATE: Problems with USB Sync with the HTC DROID INCREDIBLE? Make sure you have a memory card.

Posted on May 3, 2010 by Andy Sheragy

CompanionLink recently announced support for sync with the new HTC DROID INCREDIBLE. Since its release on Thursday, a small number of users are experiencing problems with the USB sync. The problem has to do with the fact that CompanionLink syncs data to the MicroSD memory card in the device. Previous Android devices have included a memory card out of the box, while the DROID INCREDIBLE does not. Users experiencing this issue can resolve this immediately by inserting a memory card into their DROID INCREDIBLE. CompanionLink will release an update shortly that will allow Android devices without a memory card to use the device’s internal memory to hold sync data. More information, as well as a 14-day trial of the desktop sync software, can be found at www.companionlink.com/phones/htc-incredible.html