Outlook and OsaSync

In Outlook all Outlook items are stored in one  .pst file and this file cannot be shared. The .pst file also cannot be synchronized on Windows by making it an offline file.

To go beyond these restrictions we developed OsaSync:
OsaSync enables the sharing and or synchronizing of Outlook items between two or more .pst files on different computers. 

Sharing

Sharing Outlook contacts in OsaSync means that you assign a contact as being shared. In this case you can have shared contacts and non-shared contacts in the same outlook contacts folder. If you have OsaSync installed on three or more computers you also tell with which computer you want to share a contact.

OsaSync adds a 'Sharing' menu item to the contacts edit window (= the contact inspector).

example
Peter and Mary and their son Robert have three computers at home connected in a simple network. Peter's contacts folder contains colleagues, some friends of the family and Peters parents . He shares their mutual friends and his parents with Mary's computer and only his parents with Roberts computer. Robert doesn't send email to the family friends, only to his grandparents.

Changes to a shared contact

If you change a property of a shared contact, let's say an email address, this change will be automatically carried through on the other computer. 
For those familiar with Microsoft Exchange server: your shared contacts behave like the contacts in an exchange global address list.

Synchronizing

Synchronizing means:
Keeping an exact copy of your contacts on all machines. Every change to a contact is carried through on the other machines.

This is very useful when you alternate working on a desktop computer and a laptop computer or when you work in a small office and want to use the same customer contacts folder as your colleagues.

Synchronization in OsaSync works fully automatically. Contrary to sharing a contact you do not have to tell OsaSync explicitly to synchronize a contact because all contacts in a folder are synchronized by default if you have configured that folder for synchronization.  
You only need to prepare the folder once when you start synchronizing for the first time.

You can use OsaSync together with your PDA or cell phone syncing software.

Peer-to-peer

Perhaps you have heard of communication server programs like Microsoft's Exchange server or IBM's Lotus Domino. As the name already suggests these programs act as a server, servicing multiple client computers. In this case the server is a powerful computer that remains permanent up and running. If the server is down no client computer can communicate anymore.

Peer-to-peer means that every computer is equal to each other computer, they act as 'peers'. There is no central server. Computers in a peer-to-peer network can be shut down, they do not have to remain up and running continuously. 

Chances are that you do not have a permanent server up and running at home or at your small office. This is why OsaSync has been designed to work without a central server and according to the peer-to-peer principle. 

OsaSync PRO also supports the configuration of OsaSync in a Client-Server mode. This makes it more easy to configure OsaSync, especially with larger networks

Syncing over the internet

With OsaSync PRO configured in Client-Server mode it is possible to sync computers over the internet via a FTP server.
- When you are traveling with your laptop you can stay synced whenever you can connect your laptop to the internet.
- When your company has more office locations you can keep all your computers synced regardless of there location.

Net Folders

Microsoft has removed the Net Folders feature from Outlook XP (and higher versions). OsaSync fully replaces Net Folders and works easier.

Easy installation and configuration

Ever tried to install, configure and deploy Microsoft's Exchange server or IBM's lotus Domino? Then you are probably an IT-pro or someone with a high IQ and a lot of time...

A major design goal of OsaSync was to create a solution that is simple to install and configure. Everybody with a basic computer software understanding should be able to do this. 

Installing OsaSync 

After OsaSync has been downloaded to your computer it's enough to double click the executable file 'OsaSync_Setup.exe' and follow the steps of the installation wizard. This works the same as 99% of other software installations.

Configuring OsaSync 

Because using OsaSync involves the use of 2 or more computers OsaSync has to be 'told' about the other computers to communicate with. For this purpose we created the 'OsaSync connection wizard', a wizard that will guide you through the steps necessary for configuring OsaSync to share or synchronize outlook items with other computers.

This wizard can be run from within Outlook (from the 'OsaSync' - 'Options' menu) or as a standalone application from an icon on your desktop or from the windows start menu.

Supports all windows versions

If Outlook 2000, 2002, 2003 or 2007 is running on your windows version, OsaSync can also run. Outlook 2000 however should be installed in C/W mode and not in IMO mode (if necessary you can easily switch modes).

OsaSync is a so called 'COM Add-in' program for Microsoft Outlook. Add-in programs cannot run in Outlook 98 or earlier so OsaSync only runs in Outlook 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2007.

Read more

The Frequently Asked Questions page answers questions in the sections:

• General questions
• Sharing
• Synchronizing and Comparing
• Installation, configuration and uninstalling

If you have a specific question not answered on the FAQ page you can write to salessupport@vaita.com