Information Technology Strategic Planning
Projects
Project Title:
PDA Calendar Synchronization
Project Advocate:
Richard Kogut
Project Manager:
Richard Kogut
Project Overview:
Provide a software application allowing PDA calendar applications to directly access the campus calendar server, avoiding the need to synchronize via a notebook or office computer.
Key Stakeholders:
Owners of PDAs, particularly those who would normally do not or cannot run desktop/notebook applications that support calendar synchronization.
Benefits:
This will enable PDA users to access accurate and timely calendar information without the prior need to synchronize via a computer application. Those users not running Outlook (or preferring not to run Outlook) will have a way of accessing their calendars.
Project Deliverables:
- An identified and supported PDA application (almost certainly Synthesis SyncML) available on (or will be over time) on multiple PDA operating systems
- A licensing and purchasing model supported by the portal
- User documentation for procurement and configuration
- Support materials for the Help Desk
Initiative(s) Supported:
Related Projects:
Milestones:
· Upgrade calendar server to current level
· Successfully implement current version of SyncML on Cingular 8525 and equivalent (PocketPCs) and on iPhone if that version is available
· Work out licensing; update portal acquisition channel
· Create web and help desk documentation
· Launch
Costs & Funding (Capital & Operational):
Minor costs for Synthesis SyncML clients.
Project Team:
Issues/Risks:
The previous upgrade to the calendar server surfaced a bug that had us abandon the upgrade and new staff will be performing this upgrade.
A back level of the SyncML client runs somewhat successfully with the backlevel version of the server we are running. It is assumed that everything will run much better at current levels, but this is to be demonstrated. There are known problems that are supposed to be fixed in the current level of the client. The current server doesn’t always export all calendar appointments, especially for the day of or following the download. This needs to be tested thoroughly with the new server.
The iPhone version of the client software is currently available for downloading Contacts only; it cannot synch calendars until Apple opens an API on the iPhone.
The client software cannot be configured without some arcane information (DB names) that we need to provide in the user documentation.
Looking for help?
We offer a number of tutorials and FAQs available in the Guides & FAQs section.
If you have any questions, problems, or comments, please contact the IT Help Desk via email at helpdesk@ucmerced.edu, via phone at 209.228.HELP (4357), or visit them in the Classroom and Office Building room 132A.