Synchronisation
On a basic level a PDA will come with a USB cable to connect to a computer. Once there is a connection between the PDA and a computer, an exchange of information between the two will occur. Typically, this will be calendar appointments, contacts and documents or files. This exchange of information is referred to as 'Synchronising' because either the computer or PDA will be updated to match the other.
Synchronisation is one of the key concepts behind much of today's computing systems and networking protocols. Critical to shared data access, synchronisation allows multiple clients to access, edit, and remove data records that a particular group of users may regularly use. The term ìusersî in this context includes operating system processes, software programs, network applications, and computer users.
In AEC, synchonisation enables users of mobile hardware to collect information onsite disconnected from any organisation server, then either synchronise that data with the organisations server wirelessly or through physically connecting to the server through a docking station.
Different forms of synchronisation are:
- Two-Way Sync. - Both devices can send data back and forth, each file/record being synchronised is not compared (ie. Copying a file from a PDA to a computer)
- Slow Sync - Both devices can send data back and forth, each file/record being synchronised is compared (ie. Copying a file from a PDA disk to a computer and being prompted to overwrite the existing copy of the file on the computer)
- One-Way Sync from Client Only - Client updates server, but server can modify data. (ie. A file is copied from PDA to the computer, but the computer then updates the file.)
- Refresh Sync from Client Only - Clientís data overwrites the serverís data. (ie. A file is copied from the PDA to the computer, overwriting the existing copy of the file on the computer.)
- One Way Sync from Server Only - Server updates client, but client can modify data. (ie. A file is copied from the computer to a userís PDA. The user can update the file)
- Refresh Sync from Server Only - Serverís data overwrites the clientís data. (ie. A file is copied from the computer to the PDA, overwriting the copy of the file on the PDA.)