Help Another Sync with Outlook Thread

[dbvirago]

I don't want to beat a dead horse here, but I've had the Droid X for a week and have spent most of that time researching syncing Outlook with it. As a long time Palm user, this is such a basic function, I'm surprised more people aren't trying to do the same thing.

The reason I started a new thread is that the ones I have found on this forum and others is scattered about what we are trying to do, so I wanted one specific to what I am trying to do. I hope there are others who have or want the same thing.

1) This isn't about email. I have email working. Outlook isn't an email client, it's a PIM that has email built into it.

2) I don't have Exchange. Outlook exists on my laptop. I want to synch with it. What I want to synch is Calendar, Tasks, Contacts and Notes. I've been doing that for 15 years with Palm. I can't believe it's this difficult or the developers didn't think of it.

3) I can use the cloud if that's the only option and it works. I don't know why that would be the only option. Droid X came with a USB cable that can hook it to my computer. It has Bluetooth which communicates with my computer. Most of the time, they are both on the same wi-fi network so they can communicate with each other. That's 3 ways my DX and laptop are connected. Why was moving things from one to the other never part of the plan?

So, having said all that, this thread is for people who want to sync Outlook PIM files from their computer with a PIM on the Droid X. Is anyone doing that succesfully, easily and consistently. Cost is not the issue.

 

[dbvirago]

guess not

 

[JimmyRayBob]

this is a great question .... does ANYONE have some experience they'd like to share?? (my droid x arrives monday) ...

 

[matty032]

Wirelessly is the only way. Why would you rather have a one time sync with a cable, instead of a continuous sync via wireless?

 

[matty032]

Touchdown, or Moxier Mail will sync your Notes.

 

[dbvirago]

Wireless would be fine, 2 of the 3 connections I mentioned are wireless and I'll go thru 3G if no other option. but I want to sync Notes, Tasks, Contacts, and Calendar. Just don't see why my data has to travel thousands of miles to move the 3 ft between my laptop and Droid.

If I need 4 different apps. that's fine, as long as they all work.

 

[Thong]

Getting started with Google Calendar Sync - Google Calendar Help

The above link explains how to sync outlook calendar with Google Calendar.

Or I came across this, while not directly what you were wanting, but if it syncs outlook with google as easy as it says it might be worthwhile.

Sync2 - Synchronize Microsoft Outlook on multiple PCs without a server. Sync Outlook and Google Calendar and Contacts.

 

[matty032]

Now I understand what you are saying. Touchdown will sync all that you listed. All your Exchange stuff, that is. It has a 30 day free trial. Search for" Exchange for Android 2.1." I gave up syncing Notes a while back. And I use google docs for a replacement. But, TD will do all that you want.

 

[Texas Tornado]

I have my work exchange email setup on my Droid X with Calendar and Global Contact list synced to it also. It may be the way your exchange server is setup and not an issue with your phone. Our company has about 600 people in the global address list. If I go to compose a message and I start typing a name, it will show the global address list. My calendar is synced also showing me all my upcoming meetings 15minutes before they start and weather I want to snooze or dismiss em just like regular outlook. Haven't really messed with my notes, I can try it here in a bit and find out.

Edit: Nevermind, I re-read your post and you don't have exchange, just using the functionality of PIM built into outlook. My bad.

When you open outlook on your laptop, do you have an email address associated with it? If not you could try setting one up (like your local ISP sometimes provides you with an email address configurable in outlook) and then adding that email to your droid X and it should give you the option to sync contacts, calendar, notes etc.

 

[pm1066]

This is my main frustration with the Droid--the lack of Outlook sync. I'm not OK with Google having every bit of all information about me at all times, so the whole back door sync with the cloud to me is a no go. Palm can do it, BB can do it, why doesn't the Droid sync directly with the PC Outlook?

 

[cwrig]

When I switched to Android I tried to do what you want to do for a couple months. I was used to outlook and wanted to continue using it.

But, I can tell you; its not worth it. Outlook has no future.

I ended up exporting all my outlook contacts and calendar stuff to GMAIL's equivalent (its not hard to do a one time export/import); then I never opened outlook again.

You will never realize the smooth google experience if you cling to outlook. Bite the bullet; put everything in gmail/calendr ; you will not be sorry.

 

[ZXMustang]

I don't want to beat a dead horse here, but I've had the Droid X for a week and have spent most of that time researching syncing Outlook with it. As a long time Palm user, this is such a basic function, I'm surprised more people aren't trying to do the same thing.

The reason I started a new thread is that the ones I have found on this forum and others is scattered about what we are trying to do, so I wanted one specific to what I am trying to do. I hope there are others who have or want the same thing.

1) This isn't about email. I have email working. Outlook isn't an email client, it's a PIM that has email built into it.

2) I don't have Exchange. Outlook exists on my laptop. I want to synch with it. What I want to synch is Calendar, Tasks, Contacts and Notes. I've been doing that for 15 years with Palm. I can't believe it's this difficult or the developers didn't think of it.

3) I can use the cloud if that's the only option and it works. I don't know why that would be the only option. Droid X came with a USB cable that can hook it to my computer. It has Bluetooth which communicates with my computer. Most of the time, they are both on the same wi-fi network so they can communicate with each other. That's 3 ways my DX and laptop are connected. Why was moving things from one to the other never part of the plan?

So, having said all that, this thread is for people who want to sync Outlook PIM files from their computer with a PIM on the Droid X. Is anyone doing that succesfully, easily and consistently. Cost is not the issue.

Sync your outlook with gmail, then gmail with the phone. Very simple.

 

[matty032]

Now I finally get what is going on. DOH. You will have to move your stuff over to Google. You can't do what you are wanting to do. Or, get you a new Windows Phone 7 when they come out in a couple of months. Or get an older Windows Phone 6.5. That are currently available. But, if you want to stick to Android, use Google.

 

[Cindy62707]

I too am frustrated with the lack of ability to sync the Droid X with my Outlook on a Windows 7, 64 bit computer. I was promised by at least 2 different sales persons that IT WOULD SYNC WITH OUTLOOK. Not "yes but you need to fork out more money to buy a 3rd party ap" or "yes but not if you have 64 bit Windows 7"... it was just a clear and consice "YES" period.

but now that I have it NO ONE can figure out how to do it. They give up and come back with "if you aren't happy with it you can return it in 30 days".

Will the new 2.2 update give us the direct sync to Outlook on the computer without going through Google calendar?

 

[JimmyRayBob]

Sync your outlook with gmail, then gmail with the phone. Very simple.

OK ... if it's that simple, please explain how. Specifically, the syncing between outlook and gmail, because that's the hard part. The calendar is easy to sync, but the rest is NOT.

 

[ZXMustang]

OK ... if it's that simple, please explain how. Specifically, the syncing between outlook and gmail, because that's the hard part. The calendar is easy to sync, but the rest is NOT.

Ill let google do the explaining.

Importing CSV files - Gmail Help

 

[JimmyRayBob]

Ill let google do the explaining.

Importing CSV files - Gmail Help

Importing and Syncing are two very different things... we are looking for a way to keep both Outlook and Gmail/phone sychronized. Importing from outlook to gmail is just a one-time thing and is great if you are switching to gmail completely... but not if you want to continue using both.

 

[ZXMustang]

U don't have a choice. Its gmail and only gmail or nothing with android.

 

[JimmyRayBob]

U don't have a choice. Its gmail and only gmail or nothing with android.

There are a few choices ... we are just looking for something "better" like Blackberry and Palm users have. Heck, even HTC Android phones like the Eris and Incredible have a dedicated program that synchronized contacts and calendar quite well.

CompanionLink - mixed resuts - is an option (costs $$). i think GsyncIt or something like that exists.

Blackberry makes a specific program for their phones - works directly with Android.
HTC makes a specific program for their phones - works directly with Android
Palm - same thing.

 

[dbvirago]

Yeah, I was going to look at CompanionLInk until I read all the reviews. Seems to be hit or miss. Don't mind paying for a solution that works.

 

[companionlink]

Yeah, I was going to look at CompanionLInk until I read all the reviews. Seems to be hit or miss. Don't mind paying for a solution that works.

dbvirago, why don't you give it a shot? CompanionLink is completely free for 14 days, and one of the only solutions that supports contacts, calendar, tasks and notes direct over USB. We update both the PC software and our Android app DejaOffice on almost a weekly basis, so there's a good chance we have already fixed many of the issues reported in earlier reviews. It doesn't hurt to try! www.companionlink.com/android

 

[dbvirago]

Thanks for jumping in. Yeah, I downloaded CL and Deja office yesterday. So far, works ok. I need to get used to the deja office views and how they fit with my outlook views. A tip and a request. The 'set usb to charge only' should be all over the place in bold letters. I found it on the support page. that would have been my 4th guess and would never have assumed that was the right choice.

Bluetooth would be nice. Don't mind the USB, but it's an extra step and unless I stay tethered, isn't live.

Again, thanks for getting on this thread. I know it's good for you guys, but it seems odd to me that for non-exchange, non-cloud, you have the only solution.

 

[companionlink]

Thanks for jumping in. Yeah, I downloaded CL and Deja office yesterday. So far, works ok. I need to get used to the deja office views and how they fit with my outlook views. A tip and a request. The 'set usb to charge only' should be all over the place in bold letters. I found it on the support page. that would have been my 4th guess and would never have assumed that was the right choice.

Bluetooth would be nice. Don't mind the USB, but it's an extra step and unless I stay tethered, isn't live.

Again, thanks for getting on this thread. I know it's good for you guys, but it seems odd to me that for non-exchange, non-cloud, you have the only solution.

Thanks for the suggestion! I know Charge Only mode sounds counter-intuitive, but DejaOffice actually handles the mounting of the SD card for you. Sorry you had to dig a bit to find help, with all the various Android devices out there we've found that not all behave quite the same and some (like the DROID X) require specific settings.

We are actually working on a local Wi-Fi sync for Android (should be available this fall), not sure about Bluetooth at this time. Keep checking back!

Lastly, here's a link to a full walkthrough guide for DejaOffice. New users may find it helpful, at it shows you how each module works, highlights the important features, and shows tons of screenshots and tips & tricks! DejaOffice Classroom

Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[thegekko]

Touchdown, or Moxier Mail will sync your Notes.

I looked on the Moxier site and it syncs Contacts, Mail, Calendar and Tasks...I didn't see Notes listed...Have you tried them?

I have the trial of Touchdown and It works great, but It does not sync Notes...Do you know if the native DX Mali client does??
Thanks
G

 

[Cindy62707]

I've been trying the trial version of Gsyncit but it is not too reliable. It duplicated my reoccuring appointments and also turned them in to individual appointments every week.

So I went in and deleted the duplicates in Outlook and retimed the reoccuring ones to different times so I could easily see them at a glance. Then resynced but it did not delete the dupilcates in the Google calendar. Instead it let Google put them all back in to Outlook again!

I tried to do a mass delete in Outlook again by searching for a main word and was going to just do a group delete in the search results but now Outlook for some reason does not recognize the repeated individual appointments (that used to be reoccuring appts) in the search mode. The repeats are present in the calendar when looking at the calendar but they do not show up in search....

so back to deleting indidual repeat appointments AGAIN!

Can anybody recommend a totally reliable sync program that does not cost a fortune?

thank you,
Cindy