Why iClink is required for iPhone wireless sync

Posted on December 23, 2008 by Rushang

First, the facts:

1. CompanionLink can sync wired or wireless with the iPhone.

2. Wireless sync with iPhone requires iClink – software that runs on your iPhone.

Why do you need iClink to wirelessly sync between your CRM/PIM and their iPhone? Here’s why.

1. Apple only allows developers to wirelessly sync data with the iPhone’s native address book. Apple does not allow data to sync with the native calendar application on the iPhone. This poses a problem for CRM/PIM users who need their calendars and tasks on their iPhone. iClink has custom Calendar and Tasks applications.

2. iClink works with CompanionLink Pro on your PC to sync data. It does so by using a secure username and password to exchange data.

So essentially, this is how wireless sync with iPhone works:
CRM/PIM <> CompanionLink’s wireless servers <> iPhone (iClink)

Why Outlook and iTunes are required for wired (USB) sync with iPhone

Posted on December 20, 2008 by Rushang

First, the facts:

1. CompanionLink can sync wired or wireless with the iPhone.

2. Wired sync uses Outlook and iTunes as intermediaries (working behind the scenes).

We get many people asking why Outlook and iTunes are required to do a USB sync between their CRM/PIM to their iPhone. Here’s why.

Apple only allows developers to sync data with the iPhone via its iTunes application. Everything must go through iTunes when doing a USB sync. Since iTunes natively syncs with Outlook, we’ve developed the missing link: the exchange of data between your CRM/PIM and Outlook.

So essentially, this is how wired (USB) sync with iPhone works:
CRM/PIM <> Outlook <> iTunes <> iPhone

BlackBerry Storm buyer's remorse?

Posted on December 18, 2008 by Rushang

This Engadget post references some less-than-scientific reports that claim many (as much as 50%) of the Storm devices are being returned. We can’t confirm this figure, and I doubt RIM will do so.

However, these previous Storm users are most likely migrating to other smartphones – Apple iPhone, BlackBerry Bold, Windows Mobile, Palm OS, or the new Android-based G1.

Rest assured your sync needs are covered with CompanionLink, which will sync with any and all of these platforms.

Slowing smartphone sales in 2009?

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Rushang

Gartner Group, a leading market research firm, said the growth in sales of smartphones slowed to 11.5% in Q3/2008. This marks the weakest growth they’ve seen since Garnter started tracking sales in the mobile sector.

RIM, makers of the BlackBerry, lowered their 3Q earnings forecast due to “shifts in product-launch dates” — in other words, the later-than-expected releases of the BlackBerry Bold and Storm. However, they claim that initial sales of the BlackBerry Storm has set records.

The data can get confusing and contradictory at times. Only time will tell.

Here’s the big question: will sales of “smartphones” continue to eat away at the sales of regular (good old) “cell phones?” More people are choosing to buy smartphones over regular phones that don’t offer email and web browsing capabilities. Will this trend hold up in 2009 and our uncertain economic times?

The fall of Entellium CRM

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Rushang

The December 2008 issue of CRM Magazine tells us what went wrong with Entellium, an upcoming CRM platform. Amidst corporate fraud and mismanagement, customers using Entellium’s services are in quite a pickle: how do they get their data off of Entellium’s servers, and how much time do they have to migrate to a new CRM platform if/when Entellium goes dark?

To that, I’ll add: is Entellium even telling their customers what the future for the platform holds?

Extra! Extra! Read all about it here.

Needless to say, the reputation and corporate governance practices of a company should play an enormous role in the buy process for customers in the market for a CRM solution. The reputation for web-based CRM systems (like Entellium Rave) are even more critical because all your data is hosted by them. If they go dark, so does your data.

Takeaway question: if your CRM provider went out of business tomorrow, what are your contingency plans for your customer data? Having a plan never hurts.

CompanionLink software update for BlackBerry Storm

Posted on November 21, 2008 by Rushang

BlackBerry Storm users will need to update their CompanionLink Express or CompanionLink Pro software to version 3042 or later. The update addresses a change in the new version of the operating system – BlackBerry OS 4.7 – that ships on BlackBerry Storm devices.

The update is only required if you have a BlackBerry Storm phone. You do not need the update if your current version of the software is working with your phone.

Customers can download the free update from here:
https://www.companionlink.com/downloads/updates.html

CompanionLink software update for BlackBerry Bold users

Posted on November 14, 2008 by Rushang

BlackBerry Bold users will need to update their CompanionLink Express or CompanionLink Pro software to version 3041 or later. The update addresses a change in the new version of the operating system – BlackBerry OS 4.6 – that ships on BlackBerry Bold devices.

The update is only required if you have a BlackBerry Bold phone. You do not need the update if your current version of the software is working for you.

Customers can download the free update from here:
https://www.companionlink.com/downloads/updates.html

iPhone continues push into the business community

Posted on November 14, 2008 by Rushang

Small businesses are increasingly switching to the iPhone from other types of devices like BlackBerry, Palm and Windows Mobile. While larger organizations have a harder time (understandably) switching infrastructure, smaller companies are making the move to add the iPhone to their business arsenal.

Here’s a link to the entire article: Businesses warming up to the iPhone

CompanionLink users don’t have to worry about whether or not they can sync if they switch to the iPhone. CompanionLink offers complete two-way sync with the iPhone (both wired and wireless).

Endorsement from ZDNet

Posted on November 14, 2008 by Rushang

Mathew Miller, blogger for ZDNet and a host for the Mobile Tech Roundup podcast, endorses CompanionLink for Google Android.

“I was pleased to read that CompanionLink Software now has a way for you to sync your PIM data between Outlook, Lotus Notes, Palm Desktop, Novell Groupwise, and other clients to your T-Mobile G1.”

“…this is a nice step in the right direction.”

You can read the full blog post here.

Sync ACT! with phones: the definitive guide

Posted on November 13, 2008 by Rushang

With all the mobile sync options for ACT!, it can get a bit confusing. Let’s make it easy.

Here’s a primer on what sync options you have, how much each one costs, and what the pros/cons are to each. The best option for you will depend on what you’re looking to do.

Get the PDF Guide: Synchronizing ACT! with phones

BlackBerry Storm Available on Nov 21 (Update)

Posted on November 13, 2008 by Rushang

It’s official. The first BlackBerry with a touchscreen will release on November 21, 2008 through Verizon.

In case you missed all the buzz about what features and capabilities it has, here’s a quick refresher from Wired Magazine:

https://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/11/blackberry-st-1.html

Get Outlook contacts and calendar on T-Mobile G1

Posted on October 23, 2008 by Rushang

Users who want to get their Microsoft Outlook contacts on their T-Mobile G1 phones can use CompanionLink. In addition to synchronizing contacts, CompanionLink can sync Outlook calendar events, recurring appointments, tasks, and alarms and reminders with Google Android phones (like the T-Mobile G1).

Here’s the software you need.