Sony Ericsson T612 Benefits of a common synchronization protocol, End users, Network operators

Benefits of a common synchronization protocol

End users

Today’s user of mobile devices probably uses a different synchronization product with every device. Each tech- nology can synchronize only a few applications, or is limited to a particular type of network connection. This arrangement is expensive to install, confusing to config- ure and operate, and costly to administer. With SyncML, users will be able to buy devices that synchronize with a broader range of data.

Device manufacturers

Device manufacturers will benefit from a common proto- col that will make the device interoperable with a broader range of applications, services, and network and transmission technologies.

Service providers

Service providers moving into the growth area of appli- cation hosting are particularly concerned that a prolifera- tion of synchronization technologies will make it impossible to deploy and support their customers in a

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cost-effective manner. To support the range of data types and devices in use today, service providers must install and configure multiple server infrastructures, maintain and support that infrastructure, and maintain compatibil- ity and performance. The alternative now available, to use a single solution for data connectivity, involves the risk of a tight coupling to a propriety solution. With Syn- cML, they will be able to provide connectivity to a wider selection of applications.

Application developers

Choosing to support multiple synchronization technolo- gies enables an application to support more types of devices and networked data, but that choice comes at a cost. With SyncML, application developers will be able to develop an application that can connect to a more diverse set of devices and network data.

Network operators

As multiple applications that need remote synchroniza- tion over WAP are developed, there will be an automatic growth of revenue for network operators.

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