Smartphones. Intellisync also works with virtually all other key mobile device platforms, including handhelds based on Pocket PC and PalmOS platforms, the company says.

Working in tandem with Windows Mobile software, Intellisync provides Smartphone users with two-way, desktop-based synchronization of email, calendar, contacts, and tasks with popular PC applications such as Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express, Lotus Notes, Novell GroupWise, ACT!, and more, according to the company. The new Smartphone synchronization capabilities will be offered through the company's Intellisync Handheld Edition, Intellisync Handheld Edition for Enterprise, and Intellisync Software Development Platform products.

The core of the product is the Handheld Edition sync engine for which Intellisync claims nine patents for synchronization technology. The sync engine supports:

• Synchronization of calendar, email, contact, and task data
  
• Advanced conflict detection and resolution
  
• Synchronization from behind a firewall
  
• The most common PIM applications and devices
  
• Groupware features

Intellisync's "sync engine" architecture
OEMs and application developers can license the sync engine to develop custom synchronization between their own application packages and popular information management programs. The connections between the sync engine and both devices and applications are "connectors" also licensed from Intellisync. Available connectors include:

• Windows CE (all models, including Handheld PC, Handheld PC Pro, Pocket PC, and Palm-sized PC)
  
• Microsoft Windows Mobile based Smartphones
  
• Palm OS devices (Palm OS 3.0 or higher)
  
• Microsoft Outlook 97/98/2000/2002 and Outlook Express
  
• Lotus applications including Notes 4.5/4.6/5.0/6.0 and Organizer 5.0/6.0
  
• Novell GroupWise 5.5/6.0/6.5
  
• ACT! 4.0/2000/5.0

Developers then create new connectors for their specific applications.