Microsoft’s data synchronization technology

Nov 2, 2009 11:25 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft’s data synchronization technology was just the ingredient needed for Catalyst Web Services d/b/a OfficeDesktop to spice up their online office offering with real-time syncing capabilities. Following a patent licensing agreement inked with the Redmond company, OfficeDesktop customers will be able to take advantage of Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync technology. OfficeDesktop is a Cloud-based collaboration and communication solution from Catalyst Web Services, which was rebranded recently and might still be more familiar to some customers as CatalystOffice.

"This agreement allows OfficeDesktop application servers to directly synchronize with various mobile devices, including those using Windows Mobile, that utilize Exchange ActiveSync," explained Bob Mathew, chief executive officer of OfficeDesktop. Small to medium-sized businesses running OfficeDesktop servers will be able to permit employees with mobile devices leveraging Exchange ActiveSync to synchronize their email and data with the organizations’ servers. Mathew noted that licensing ActiveSync was a move catalyzed by feedback from customers.

"Our small and medium-sized business customers have been demanding real-time syncing with their SmartPhone devices for quite a while. Exchange ActiveSync technology enables this mobility and greatly enhances our world-class messaging and collaboration solution. Our wholesale partners were also demanding this capability to stay competitive in the marketplace," Mathew added.

The software giant welcomed the latest Exchange ActiveSync patent licensing agreement through which Catalyst Web Services joins a roster of companies that inked similar deals with Microsoft in the past. Among additional companies that have licenses ActiveSync, Microsoft enumerated: Apple Inc., Google, Nokia, Palm Inc., SmarterTools, Xcome Technologies, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Sony Ericsson.

"OfficeDesktop came to us a few months ago because it recognizes, like so many innovative technology companies, that a way to spur growth in our industry is to license patented technology for mutual benefit," noted David Kaefer, general manager of Intellectual Property Licensing at Microsoft. "People - and companies - want to access email and calendaring information across multiple devices and by broadly licensing Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, we can help the industry develop solutions that address this desire."