| The SyncML® Application Programming Interface (API) and the Reference Implementation have always played an important role in making sure that it is possible to implement the specifications easily and properly, although they are not an official part of the specifications. The SyncML Initiative started the definition of the APIs and the implementation of the reference toolkit in early 2000. The main reasons that the SyncML Initiative is still investing a lot of time, effort, and money in toolkit development are: To prove that the SyncML Specifications are consistent and complete, and that it is possible to implement SyncML, even on small devices with constrained memory and processor capabilities. To enable vendors to quickly support SyncML by integrating the toolkit into existing products or by building new products using the toolkit. To find flaws and weaknesses in the specifications by enabling vendors to build early SyncML prototype implementations using the toolkit. This allows the Initiative to get valuable feedback from the industry. To ensure interoperability of devices by providing a reference.
The first draft version (called "Red") of the toolkit was released at the end of April 2000 to Sponsor-level members of SyncML. Based on this version, they were able to build a set of prototype clients and servers including a demonstration application capable of connecting to Lotus Domino™, as well as to Microsoft Exchange®. This demo was shown to the public at the first SyncML Supporter Summit, in July 2000, held in Los Angeles, California. At the same time these implementations were used for the first validation of the SyncML Representation Protocol [SRP02] and the Synchronization Protocol [SSP02]. A second draft release (called "Yellow") was released in August, followed by a release candidate version (called "Green") in October 2000. The final 1.0 version of the toolkit (called "Gold") was released to the public, together with the 1.0 version of the specifications, during a press event in London, UK on December 6, 2000. Since then, SyncML has made quarterly maintenance releases of the toolkit available. A version implementing the 1.1 versions of the Representation Specifications for data synchronization and device management was released at the end of March 2002. | 
