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The distinction between home and work computers is getting blurrier than ever, thanks to trends like flexible hours and telecommuting. Keeping critical business contacts and other data manually synchronized between two or more computers is a challenge under the best conditions, and it's all too easy to let things slide. A number of handy tools can do that tedious job for you and never miss an update. Wisco's SynchPst is just such a utility. It synchronizes personal folders in Microsoft Outlook, which use the .pst file format. You can select single or multiple folders or subfolders to synchronize, or update all of Outlook's items at once, even things like notes and distribution lists. It restores deleted files by copying entire folders if the selected target folder is missing. The program boasts a sophisticated algorithm that analyzes source and target folders and updates them appropriately.
SynchPst's interface is well designed and differs from other software of its type with an easy-to-use two-window view that displays the source computer in one pane and the target system in the other. Large buttons with arrows select the direction of synchronization, source to target, target to source, or two-way. You simply select which folders to sync, click the appropriate arrow, and it's a done deal. A Help file on the taskbar stands ready for further assistance if needed.
SynchPst is free to try for 21 days and costs $39.95. It works in Outlook 2000, XP, 2002, 2003, and 2007, and supports Windows 7.
Publisher's Description
From Wisco:
SynchPst is the easy way to synchronize data among two personal folders.ust choose either single or multiple folders or subfolders to synchronize. Synchronize all Outlook items including notes and distribution lists. Deletions are supported, too. If the selected folder does not exist in the target file, the entire folder is copied otherwise the source and target files are compared and the entries are synchronized based on a high-end algorithm.
What's new in this version: Version 5.1.3 supports Outlook 2013 (32bit and 64bit) as part of Office 365.
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All versions:
3.4 starsout of 66 votes
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Current version:
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"Buggy, unfinished software"
Version: SynchPst for Outlook 5.1.2.6
Pros
This is one of few programs that synchronizes PST files.
Cons
Synchronization does not work as intended. I always end up with duplicate entries.
Simple scenario, syncing laptop with desktop. SynchPST synchronizes two sets of data, and for some reason creates duplicate entries. I'll save log of duplicated entries to delete them. Before making any changes, lets run SynchPST again. This time SynchPST creates more duplicate entries, making them triplicate and quadruplicate. Every time when SynchPST is run, more copies are created.
Another problem. After deleting new email desktop or laptop, and then running SynchPST, same email may be created again. Some time it is created, another time is not created. There are no defined rules, to know what will happen. Always look at log file.
When there are Outlook Rules for placing mails in folders, synchronization gets very messy.Summary
Since no reputable software exist to synchronize mailboxes, avoid it as you can. Use server based storage or remote access to main computer.
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"When it works it works pretty good, but it's buggy."
Version: SynchPst for Outlook 4.1.3
Pros
When it works, it works pretty good.
Cons
Recent releases hang / freeze a lot, doesn't recover well, sometimes Windows Taks Manager can't even shut down a frozen session and reboot is required.
Summary
Recent releases (I currently run 4.1.3) seem buggy / crash a lot. I've been using this product between 2 high-end fairly new systems running Windows 7 64bit for about 6 months not, and when I first started using SynchPST it worked well most of the time. Lately it crashes too much so I'm looking elsewhere. I'm sure that I could get the attention of support if I emailed them specific requests, but in my experience these smaller software developers will just eat up your time as you sit there and help them troubleshoot bugs in thier own software, and I just don't have the time for that. I've already done the typical troubleshooting steps - uninstall, reinstall, turn off security software to check for interference, etc... a and my findings (along with Windows Event Viewer results) points to bugs within the latest releases. Your mileage may vary.
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"Brilliant"
Version: SynchPst for Outlook 3.0.5
Pros
This is a brilliant utility if you work with a peer-to-peer network, and need to keep your laptop in synch. I have used it for over a year, and couldn't be without it.
I have found the tech support amazingly good - quick, personal answers even at weekends
Cons
You do need to be systematic when setting the software up initially, to avoid duplications
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"Duplicates contacts and appointments"
Version: SynchPst for Outlook 3.0.5
Cons
If you delete a contact or calender appointment it duplicates the entry the next time you sync. The interface between the laptop and desktop doesn't work half the time. They don't answer emails. I have wasted a lot of time with this product. I had hopes when version 3 came out it would work better, but it is more bad service and performance.
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"Non existent support"
Version: SynchPst for Outlook 2.0.5
Pros
It works for a limited time.
Cons
The licence code is time limited. If you have to reinstall you may need to renew the code. If you have changed email in the meantime you can't request a code as any emails to support@synchpst.com are simply ignored. I have emailed 5 times and rising and had no response. There are plenty of other products that do the same and offer support. Give this company a wide berth.
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"If you value your time at more than $1 per hour, be prepared to waste thousands"
Version: SynchPst for Outlook 2.0.5
Pros
Nothing
Cons
If you value your time at more than $1 per hour, be prepared to waste thousands. I teach at a university and together with three IT specialists, cannot get this terrible software to work. A waste of our time and money!
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"Did not work for me, either...no useful support"
Version: SynchPst for Outlook 2.0.5
Pros
Nothing - never worked properly. Beware of this product unless you have a very simple setup.
Cons
Loaded it onto my laptop after buying the full version, trying to synchronize with a relatively large .pst database on another fixed desktop. Had major problems trying to get it to work, only worked 1 time of 10, and then it seems to have corrupted the data files on both computers (as far as I can tell it was this program). Also duplicated many entries. Did not get any useful help from the company - just some vague emails about "it should have worked". Maybe it will work for some people...but not for me.
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"testing"
Version: SynchPst for Outlook 2.0.5
Pros
test
Cons
test
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"BE CAREFUL ! Data corruption and unexpected behaviour"
Version: SynchPst for Outlook 1.4.7
Cons
I have had MAJOR issues using this software. It looks like a good product, but beware. Two major points:
- Data corruption, having to use scanpst several times to repair corrupt pst file. Also Outlook startup problems / crashes on startup. Serious stuff !
- Synchronisation is not as expected !!! "Normal" sync software (eg PDA sync) synchronises entries regardless of the field you change. SyncPst has an akward way of "recognising" which entries are identical. For example, an appointment is identical if subject and start time are the same. If you enter an appointment sync both computers and then change the subject or start time of the appointment, on the next sync you get TWO appointments: the original and the changed one as a new entry, because the recognition "key" is in the field you changed.
I uninstalled it after only several days. You are warned. It is such a pitty, because the program looks good and promises to solve a very common problem for user of multiple PC's !!!
Oh yeah, and something else. When you buy the regular version, you have to select which folders to sync manually EVERY SINGLE TIME you start the program. Buy the PRO version and it remembers the settings. Now that is a bit...
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"Great utility for keeping Outlook folders synchonised"
Version: SynchPst for Outlook 1.4.7
Pros
I have been using this product for about four months now and have had no problems.
An excellent piece of software.
Cons
Not found any as yet.
