Novell provides a PDA synchronization engine called PDA Connect. This program sits between your GroupWise mailbox and the PDA Synchronization software, such as Microsoft's ActiveSync or Palm's HotSync Manager. This allows you to use the PDA's native synchronization program in conjunction with the PDA Connect program. Several third-party programs also provide enhanced synchronization methods such as over-the-air (OTA) synchronization. Check with your GroupWise administrator to see what handheld sync utility your organization uses. The following sections discuss how to use the GroupWise PDA Connect program with a Pocket PC PDA. If you use a Palm OS PDA, the concepts are similar except that you need to use Palm's HotSync Manager instead of Microsoft's ActiveSync program. PrerequisitesBefore installing the GroupWise PDA Connect program, you need to meet the following prerequisites:
Installing GroupWise PDA ConnectBefore synchronizing GroupWise with your PDA device, you must first obtain the GroupWise PDA Connect program. This program ships with the GroupWise 7 client and is also available from Novell's website. First, check with your GroupWise administrator to see whether your organization has a standard deployment method for this utility or where to obtain this utility. Alternatively, you can download the GroupWise PDA Connect program from http://download.novell.com. Search for "GroupWise PDA Connect" to locate and download this free utility. NOTE The PDA Connect program is updated periodically. You can find the latest version on Novell's download page. After you have downloaded and extracted the program, you can run setup.exe to begin the installation. Follow these steps to complete the installation:
Now that you have installed the GroupWise PDA Connect program, you can configure it to synchronize your GroupWise information with your handheld device. Launching and Configuring GroupWise PDA ConnectInstalling the PDA Connect program places an icon labeled GroupWise PDA Connect on your Windows desktop. The first time you launch the GroupWise PDA Connect program, you need to configure it. Figure 12.1 displays the GroupWise PDA Connect program interface. Figure 12.1. The GroupWise PDA Connect interface.Under the General tab, you can set the following preferences:
The main menu contains the File, Profile, Tools, and Help menu options. From the File menu, you have the following options:
The Tools menu provides access to the log files. You can configure log settings and schedule automatic synchronization to occur at defined intervals. The Help menu contains in-depth information about each component in the PDA Connect program. Working with ProfilesProfiles contain all the settings relevant to the way information is synchronized between the PDA and GroupWise. You manage profiles through the Profile menu option on the main menu. From the Profile menu, you can create a new profile, edit profiles, manage the current profile settings, rename the current profile, remove the current profile (if multiple profiles are defined), or select which profiles will be active. So what exactly does a profile contain? The best way to answer this question is to edit a profile and go through each of the available options. Figure 12.2 shows a profile called Pocket PC and GroupWise settings. Figure 12.2. Settings of a Pocket PC and GroupWise profile.AUTO SYNCHRONIZEA profile's Auto Synchronize tab allows you to specify that synchronization will take place as soon as the PDA Connect program is run. After you have defined and configured your settings, you will probably want to enable this setting. OPTIONSThe Options tab defines the type of synchronization and the way conflict resolution is handled. Figure 12.3 shows the Options interface. Figure 12.3. The Options tab of a profile.You can choose from the following options:
NOTE A full synchronization will override your one-way settings. This also applies to the full synchronization that takes place the first time you sync your device. You should not use filters when using one-way sync because duplicate records may occur. Filters are discussed later in this chapter. TRANSLATORSThe Translators tab allows you to configure each translator setting. A translator is the software component that translates the data between the Pocket PC or Palm OS device and the GroupWise PDA Connect program. Figure 12.4 shows a Pocket PC and GroupWise translator. Figure 12.4. The Translators tab from within a Pocket PC profile.If you highlight the Pocket PC translator and click Configure, you can leave deleted email on your PDA device. If you select this option, be aware of the additional space required on your PDA to store all your email. There are no translator settings to configure for GroupWise, so the Configure button appears dimmed. MAPPINGThe Mapping tab allows you to control which fields in GroupWise map to the PDA fields and vice versa. This powerful feature ensures that as new fields are added to GroupWise or the PDA, you can map them appropriately. Mappings exist for each item type that can be synchronized. To manage the mappings, select the desired item type and then click the Mapping button. Figure 12.5 displays the contacts' mappings. Figure 12.5. Available mappings for contacts.You can manage all the mappings if desired, including creating and editing mappings. Clicking the Show Data button at the bottom displays the data in each field. This makes it easy to see the types of data contained in each field. For detailed information on managing mappings, click the Help button. FILTERSThe Filter tab allows you to define filters for each item type. Filters allow you to sync only the data that you want for each item type. For example, if you care only about phone and email addresses for contacts, you can create a filter that synchronizes only this information for you. Filtering can speed up the sync process as well as save memory on the PDA. The types of filters you can use depend on the item type you have selected. Figure 12.6 displays the Filter interface. Figure 12.6. You can filter information from synchronizing to or from the PDA.A common filter that you may want to modify is the age limit of email to synchronize. To access this filter, select the Email item type and click on the Translator-Defined Attributes link to the right. You can then set filters on your Inbox, Sent Items, and Drafts (Work In Progress) folders. For more information about the use of filters, click the Help button. DATA SOURCESThe Data Sources tab allows you to set the GroupWise source folder that corresponds to each item type in GroupWise. For example, if you want to synchronize a personal folder into your mailbox on the PDA, you could define the source for the GroupWise mail to your personal folder. Figure 12.7 displays the Data Sources interface. For more information on modifying the data sources, click the Help button. Figure 12.7. You can modify the source of data for the various components that will synchronize with a PDA.You can now begin synchronizing data with your PDA device. Remember that to sync your PDA, the GroupWise client and your sync software (ActiveSync or HotSync Manager) must be running. Next, we show you how to access your mailbox from a PDA or wireless device. |