Synchronizing Outlook Sub folders

ActiveSync supports sub folder synchronization of Inbox on devices running the Pocket PC 2002 and higher version operating systems.  The folder created should be of the type - "Mail and Post items".  Also ensure you are using the latest version of ActiveSync while synchronizing.

You will need to specify the Inbox folders that you would like to synchronize in ActiveSync:

However, ActiveSync will synchronize only the main Contacts / Calendar / Tasks folder. It does not support synchronization of local folders created by you on your Desktop computer.  It supports a feature called Categories for sorting purpose on your Pocket PC.  For better understanding on how categories can  be used to sort your Contacts, visit:

 http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,3142

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,8034

If you want to synchronize Contacts that are stored in sub folders, then you can consider the following: 

Pocket Contact Synchronizer Add-in for Outlook (Screen Shots of Outlook PCS)

http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/2002/opcs.aspx
 
This is a FREE add-in for Outlook on the Desktop computer.  It creates a duplicate of the contact items in the sub folder, appends the sub folder name along with "Outlook PCS" into the Categories field and moves it into the main folder.  This enables you to sort the Contacts on your Pocket PC using the Category feature. Note that this is a one-way synchronization feature only.  That is if you update the Contact information on your Pocket PC and synchronize then you will need to move the Contact back to its sub folder manually.

NOTE:  There have been posting where users have reported that they were unable to install
            this add-in with Outlook 2003.  But then I have been using it without any problems with
            Outlook 2003.

Other alternative would be to use third party application which support synchronization of non-default folders.  These applications install a separate module on the Pocket PC.  You need to purchase it separately.  For more information, you should consider visiting the following sites:

 Pocket Lookout

 http://lookout.vonken.com

I have used Pocket Lookout and must say its a pretty decent application.  I found it to be quite user friendly.  The draw back is that currently they do not provide support for their product.  But then for the price I think its still pretty good.


 Pocket OnSchedule

 http://www.odysseyinc.com

I have not been able to check out Pocket OnSchedule in great detail but it does provide a lot of neat features.   Will update this area as soon as I get time to explore the features and functionality.  I suggest a quick scan through the users guide is a good way to identify some of its rich features.

IntelliSync

http://www.sync.com/is_desktop_main.html

This is a synchronization software which provides a lot of room for customizing how the data needs to be synchronized.  Like Pocket OnSchedule, I have not had the chance to test IntelliSync and explore its features but its biggest advantage is that it is compatible with a lot of PIMs.  Note that it still needs ActiveSync to be installed on your desktop computer.

 
This should answered your question about synchronizing local folders.  I hope you find something that suits your requirement.  Any feedback, recommendation about a feature you found useful in any of these applications will be sincerely appreciated.

~ Raj Pillai    
(Created: August 25, 2004)

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