Why Outlook and iTunes are required for wired (USB) sync with iPhone

First, the facts:

1. CompanionLink can sync wired or wireless with the iPhone.

2. Wired sync uses Outlook and iTunes as intermediaries (working behind the scenes).

We get many people asking why Outlook and iTunes are required to do a USB sync between their CRM/PIM to their iPhone.  Here’s why.

Apple only allows developers to sync data with the iPhone via its iTunes application.  Everything must go through iTunes when doing a USB sync.  Since iTunes natively syncs with Outlook, we’ve developed the missing link: the exchange of data between your CRM/PIM and Outlook.

So essentially, this is how wired (USB) sync with iPhone works:
CRM/PIM <> Outlook <> iTunes <> iPhone