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The SyncML Initiative Founded to Develop The World's First True Universal Standard for Data Synchronization
February 22, 2000
Initiative Includes Industry Leaders IBM, Lotus, Motorola, Nokia, Palm, Inc., Psion and Starfish Software
Press Release, February 22, 2000 - IBM, Lotus, Motorola, Nokia, Palm, Inc., Psion and Starfish Software announced today they have founded the SyncML initiative. The SyncML initiative develops and promotes an open industry specification for universal data synchronization of remote data and personal information across multiple networks, platforms and devices. SyncML is a XML-based data synchronization protocol designed to create the optimal mobile computing experience by supporting enhanced data synchronization, including e-mail, calendar, contact management information, enterprise data stored in databases, Web-based documents and new forms of content from systems available in the future. The SyncML initiative is open for industry partners to join in developing the specification.
The demand for instant access to information and applications anytime, anywhere is on the rise due to the growing number of mobile computing professionals. It is generally estimated that there will be more mobile devices than PCs connected to the Internet by the end of 2003. The SyncML specification will enable the creation of interoperable wireless and wireline data synchronization products across corporate servers, Web servers, computers, laptops, PDAs, handheld computers, mobile phones and other mobile devices, regardless of platform or manufacturer.
Currently data synchronization is based on multiple sets of different protocols, each one functioning with a limited number of data types, devices or systems. The SyncML initiative will deliver an open industry specification, which will enable a new generation of universal interoperability between systems and devices. Personal and enterprise information, including email, calendars, to-do lists, contact information and other critical data, will be accessible and up to date regardless of where the information is stored, giving users unmatched flexibility in the device they select to use while on the move.
The founding members of the SyncML initiative have identified the following goals to achieve the successful development and adoption of an industry wide data synchronization standard:
· Leverage existing open standards for structured data representation and industry object types
· Operate over wireless and wireline networks
· Support a variety of transport protocols
· Support arbitrary networked data
· Provide data access from a variety of applications
· Connect mobile devices regardless of platform or manufacturer
· Use existing Internet and Web standards and technologies
· Provide easily accessible code for enabling support for the specification
The SyncML initiative will leverage industry standards Extensible Markup Language (XML), MIME, the vCard and the iCalendar to represent Internet Data, email information, personal contact information and calendaring information. Extending beyondcurrently available data synchronization technologies, SyncML will enable seamless synchronization among wireless and wireline networked data, computers, laptops, handheld computers, PDAs, mobile handset and other mobile devices.
The SyncML initiative is open for participation to a wide range of industries including device manufacturers, synchronization vendors, service providers and application developers. Companies interested in joining are encouraged to contact the SyncML initiative today to become part of the team and deliver the SyncML specification available later this year. For more information on the SyncML initiative, how to join the SyncML, details of technical specifications and more, visit http://www.syncml.org.
Contact information:
IBM
Tara Sexton, Director of Communications
Pervasive Computing
Tel. + 1 914 766 3366
tara.sexton@us.ibm.com
Lotus
Karen Kazanjian, Public Relations Manager
Mobile and Wireless Communications,
Tel. + 1 617 693 7386
karen_kazanjian@lotus.com
Motorola,
Personal Communications Sector
Jennifer Weyrauch, Public Relations
Tel. + 1 847 523 0015
jennifer.weyrauch@motorola.com
Nokia Mobile Phones
Tapio Hedman, Vice President, Communications
Tel. + 358 10 5051
tapio.hedman@nokia.com
Nokia, Inc
Megan Matthews
Senior Communications Manager,
Tel. +1 972 8944267
megan.matthews@nokia.com
Palm, Inc.
Julia Rodriguez, Corporate Communications
Tel. + 1 408 326 9390
julia_rodriguez@palm.com
Palm, Inc.
Amy Nemechek
A&R Partners Public Relations
Tel. + 1 303 730 5755
Anemechek@arpartners.com
Psion PLC
Anthony Garvey, Public Relations
Tel. +44 171 317 4265
anthony-garvey@psion.com
Starfish Software
Kate Dueck, Public Relations Manager
Tel. +1 831 461 5815
kate.dueck@starfish.com
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