Category Archives: CompanionLink Products

Sync Outlook Tasks with Android

Posted on by Rushang
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Sync Outlook Tasks with Android phones and tablets using CompanionLink for Outlook. You can choose between USB sync or Cloud sync.  Popular features found in Outlook Tasks are fully supported, like task alerts, recurring tasks, priorities, and unlimited task notes.

Here’s how to sync Outlook Tasks with Android.

  1. Download CompanionLink for Outlook.
  2. During setup, choose Android.
  3. Choose either USB or DejaCloud for your sync method.
  4. Select Microsoft Outlook as your database.

During the setup process, CompanionLink will prompt you to install our Android app, DejaOffice. This app is where your Outlook Tasks will synchronize.  DejaOffice was designed with Outlook in mind, so the Tasks features you have on your PC Outlook will also work in DejaOffice.

Google Calendar Sync alternative

Posted on by Rushang
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Update: Click here for the latest on Google Calendar Sync

Google discontinued distribution of their free Google Calendar Sync tool last week. This affects people who need to sync Outlook calendar with Google calendar. Google’s announcement left many people clamoring for a Google Calendar Sync alternative.

CompanionLink has a Google Calendar Sync alternative for $14.95, CompanionLink for Google synchronizes Outlook calendars, contacts, tasks, categories, and contact photos with Gmail and Google Apps accounts. You can install CompanionLink on three computers for  $14.95. Free US-based phone support and software updates are included.

Like a true Google Calendar Sync alternative, CompanionLink can be set up for automatic sync between Outlook and Google on a 5-minute timer. CompanionLink runs in your system tray on your PC desktop and will synchronize changes between Outlook and Google.  Outlook 2000, 2003, 2007, 2010, and 2013 are fully supported, in addition to Outlook Business Contact Manager 2007 and 2010.

Palm OS on your Android, iPhone and iPad? Not exactly, but we have the next best thing.

Posted on by Rushang
2

It’s amazing how simple and effective Palm and Treo handhelds were for managing contacts, calendar, tasks, and memos. Little things like Categories for Business and Personal, creating appointments with a minimum number of screen taps, and being able to hide memos using a password were great productivity features for power users and business professionals. To top it off, Palm Desktop was among the most lightweight PIM tools ever.

We tried to capture this focus on productivity and efficiency in our DejaOffice app for Android and iOS. The app gives you Palm-like features on the current generation of Android, iPhone, and iPad devices.

We took it one step further by allowing integration of DejaOffice with tools like Palm Desktop, Outlook, ACT! and Lotus Notes. For Android devices, you get to choose whether you want DejaConnect USB sync like the old HotSync model, or if you want DejaCloud sync where your devices and desktop are automatically kept in sync via the cloud. CompanionLink desktop software and DejaOffice app has you covered for productivity and two-ways synchronization. The beauty is that DejaOffice works for all Android and iOS devices.

Will BlackBerry OS 10 follow Android and iPhone into the Cloud?

Posted on by Rushang
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RIM announced January 30, 2013 as their much-anticipated launch event date for BlackBerry OS 10.  RIM claims the new system is “unlike any smartphone on the market today.”  We hope this is a sign that unlike Android and iPhone, RIM is going to continue offering users a secure, connected, and cloud-free way to synchronize their business relationships, agenda, tasks, and notes from PC to BlackBerry.  In the past, BlackBerry devices have shipped with BlackBerry Desktop Software to manage connected sync over USB between Microsoft Outlook and BlackBerry.  No BES, BIS or Microsoft Exchange servers required.

CompanionLink aims to support synchronization between BlackBerry OS 10 and popular business systems such as Sage ACT!, Salesforce.com, Goldmine, Lotus Notes, Palm Desktop, GroupWise, Zoho CRM, SugarCRM and Highrise.

CompanionLink supports mobile sync on Windows 8

Posted on by Rushang
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CompanionLink fully supports data synchronization on the new Windows 8 operating system and Metro UI.  CompanionLink will sync Android, iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini, and Google web-based accounts to Windows 8.

All CompanionLink version 5 products have built-in support for Windows 8.  CompanionLink install as a Tile in Metro UI.  Customers with older versions CompanionLink can upgrade to version 5 at a discount in order for complete support for Windows 8 and future Microsoft service packs.

CompanionLink installs as a Tile in Windows 8 Metro UI

CompanionLink installs as Tile in Metro UI

The full line of desktop products that we support in previous Windows versions are also supported in Windows 8:

  • Microsoft Outlook, including the new Outlook 2013
  • Microsoft Outlook Business Contact Manager
  • Palm Desktop
  • ACT!
  • Lotus Notes
  • GroupWise
  • GoldMine
  • Time & Chaos

 

How Will You Sync the iPhone 5?

Posted on by Andy Sheragy
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Most of the tech news today is focused on Apple’s announcement of the new iPhone 5. The new device is stunning and we’re just as excited as you to get our hands on one. As we have with each new iPhone release, CompanionLink is fully committed to supporting sync with the iPhone 5 as soon as it’s available. What exactly does that mean?


DejaOffice – A Complete CRM for iPhone 5

DejaOffice is a business-friendly CRM app for the new iPhone 5 that includes contacts, calendar, tasks, notes, and expense capabilities. Why use DejaOffice instead of the native iPhone 5 apps? It’s simple: DejaOffice was built to support advanced CRMs like Sage ACT!, Lotus Notes, Salesforce.com, and Outlook Business Contact Manager (just to name a few).

  • DejaOffice supports color-coded categories. Many CRM systems use color categorization to keep data organized. CompanionLink supports the syncing of categories and their respective colors to DejaOffice on the iPhone 5, allowing you to filter and sort your records by category.DJOI - Categories
  • DejaOffice keeps your private data safe and secure – password protect sensitive records in your database. Records can be masked with asterisks ******** or hidden completely.DJOI - Private Records
  • Link contacts with calendar events, tasks, notes, and expenses like a true CRM. Linked records sync back to your CRM with the link intact.DJOI - Linked Records
  • DejaOffice allows your data to sync with the native Apple contacts and calendar, so features like caller ID and calendar alarms still work fine.

We’re currently working on adapting DejaOffice to the larger screen on the iPhone 5. We’ll be ready for launch day!


CompanionLink is iCloud-friendly

iCloud has been a success for Apple ever since it launched not too long ago. This is great if you work from a Mac, but what if your business data is in a CRM like ACT! or Palm Desktop?

CompanionLink can sync your PIM or CRM data to the iCloud folders in Microsoft Outlook. This means that your data will automatically sync with the iCloud service and your new iPhone 5, allowing you to access your business data while benefiting from the convenience of iCloud.

iCloud is great as long as you stay within Apple’s ecosystem, but what if you want to venture out and pick up an Android tablet or Kindle Fire? CompanionLink is currently working on our own cross-platform cloud service call DejaCloud. When it becomes available, DejaCloud will allow you to keep your PC, iPhone 5, and Android devices all seamlessly in sync. We expect DejaCloud to become available for iPhone 5 this winter!


The Best Fit for your CRM

CompanionLink can sync iPhone 5 with a wide variety of PIM and CRM databases. DejaOffice preserves your CRM data, and makes it easily accessible, even when offline. Why choose CompanionLink and DejaOffice for your CRM?

iPhone 5 with Sage ACT!
-No record limits
-Activities can be completed on the phone
-Supports proper international dialing formats
-Categories are set based on ID/Status or any other ACT! field
-Contact links to activities are preserved

iPhone 5 with Outlook Business Contact Manager
-Select which BCM folders you wish to sync with
-Syncs contact links from calendar events and tasks
-Supports Outlook category colors on the phone

iPhone 5 with Lotus Notes
-Syncs all Lotus Notes data, including custom recurring types
-Supports Lotus Notes categories
-No Domino server required

CompanionLink works with many other CRM databases in addition to the ones mentioned above. CompanionLink starts at $14.95 and comes with free email and phone support. To purchase CompanionLink, download a free trial, or for more information, please visit:
www.companionlink.com/iphone/

Sync Outlook Journal to Android, iPhone, and iPad

Posted on by Rushang
1

CompanionLink can sync Microsoft Outlook Journal to Android, iPhone, and iPad devices.  While relatively few people use Journal entries compared to the other data types in Outlook, those who do are in dire need of a way to get Journal on their mobile devices.

Here’s how to sync Journal to mobile:

  1. Download CompanionLink for Outlook. This product installs on a PC and can be set up to sync Microsoft Outlook with smartphones and tablets.
  2. In CompanionLink Settings, make sure the Journal option is selected. CompanionLink has other options also, such as Outlook contacts, calendar, tasks, and notes.
  3. Select your device type, such as Android, Apple iPhone, etc.
  4. Select your sync method. We recommend choosing DejaCloud for wireless sync of data.
  5. Click the Sync button.

DejaOffice 2.2 [new feature] — new icons that match Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted on by Rushang
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We’ve redone our entire icon set and UI. We looked hard at Android’s guidelines for ICS and worked to make DejaOffice as consistent as possible without losing key business efficiency on the mobile form factor.

  • New header treatment
  • New home screen icons
  • New submenu icons
  • Action Overflow on all screens
  • New blue-themed icon family

Download DejaOffice 2.2 free from www.dejaoffice.com/androidapp

DejaOffice 2.2 [new feature] — Full database encryption

Posted on by Rushang
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Security is a big deal for us. The data we put into our phones today is equivalent to the information people used to scrawl on tiny pieces of paper and stuff in their wardrobe in the old days. Having a phone that does not encrypt your valuable data is like leaving your house unlocked with a sign in the front saying, “Unlocked home, come get it!”

That’s why we’ve added full database encryption in DejaOffice. We don’t just encrypt select data types like notes. The entire DejaOffice database that resides on your phone is encrypted and locked. You can choose from a pattern-match challenge or an alpha-numeric challenge to unlock the database.

Download DejaOffice 2.2 free from www.dejaoffice.com/androidapp

DejaOffice 2.2 [new feature] — Record-level swipe gestures for quick actions

Posted on by Rushang
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DejaOffice adds swipe gestures that can be engaged for each record. Simply swipe from left-to-right on a Contact in DejaContacts to bring up a useful Quick Action menu.

Quick Action menu options include:

  • Call
  • SMS
  • Email
  • Map

Download DejaOffice 2.2 free from www.dejaoffice.com/androidapp

Move data from Gmail/Google Contacts to Outlook.com

Posted on by Rushang
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Our tests with Outlook.com proved something we suspected — Outlook.com doesn’t offer a way to truly add Google/Gmail Contacts.  Instead, Outlook.com lets you view your Google Contacts within the Outlook.com People interface. You cannot edit or synchronize Google Contacts that you add to Outlook.com via Exchange ActiveSync to supported devices like Android, iPhone, iPad, and Windows Phone.

Access to Google Contacts and adding are very different.

Here’s what the Outlook.com website shows you when you select People.

Add contacts to Outlook.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slightly misleading.  But if you are looking to really move or sync Google Contacts into Outlook.com, download a free trial of CompanionLink for Outlook.com / Windows Live.  It takes Google Contacts, Calendar, and Tasks and moves them to Outlook.com.  For on-going sync between Google and Outlook.com, just buy a full license to CompanionLink.

Outlook 2010 with Outlook.com

Posted on by Rushang
2

Gregg from Computerworld has a very informative technical article about the new Outlook.com service Microsoft announced yesterday. In his article, we noticed this little nugget.

Outlook(.com) also syncs with Outlook 2013, the email client that’s part of the Office 2013 suite, which was released as a preview last month. It also synchronizes with the Metro-ized Mail app in Windows 8, although you’ll have to add your new Outlook.com to the app.

People using Outlook 2010 or older will not be able to sync with the new Outlook.com service without extra help. This is because the Outlook 2010 client does not support Exchange ActiveSync. However, there is a way to do it.

CompanionLink synchronizes Outlook 2010 contacts and calendar with Outlook.com.  (We can’t sync email. If you need email sync, check out this)  Set up CompanionLink for Outlook (free to try; $14.95 or higher to buy) to sync an Outlook.com / Windows Live account to Microsoft Outlook 2010.  Here’s what your configuration in CompanionLink should look like.

Sync Outlook 2010 to Outlook.com

 

 

 

CompanionLink supports two-way sync with Microsoft Office Outlook 2013

Posted on by Rushang
16

Early word from our R&D team is that CompanionLink will fully support Outlook 2013 Preview in our next software update. This means people can sync Outlook 2013 People (formerly known as Contacts), Calendar, Tasks, and Notes with the latest Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and webOS devices.  You can also sync Office 2013 with Google, Gmail, and Windows Live accounts.

We’re excited about Microsoft’s initiatives to merge the cloud with desktop platforms. CompanionLink is looking into ways to sync directly with Office 365.  Please bookmark this blog post and we’ll update it as we learn more. There is lots more to come.

DejaOffice 2.2 [new feature] – Tabbed interface for contact details, notes and histories

Posted on by Rushang
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Our new tabbed interface gives you a quick way to see all interaction you’ve had with someone.

Find and tap on a Contact. You will see a summary about their vitals (name, company, email, phone), followed by three tabs – Details, Notes and History.

Tap on Details to get information about all the secondary contact fields.  Things like Fax, Birthdate, Email Address 3, etc.

Tap on Notes to read all Contact Notes you’ve entered for that person.

Tap on History to see all memos, text messages, pictures, and phone calls you have linked to that person.  In a future update, DejaOffice will also log calls (both placed and received). Think of the History tab as a ledger of all your interaction with that person.

Business features of Palm OS on your Android

Posted on by Rushang
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The Verge recently did an excellent write-up on StyleTap’s app that emulates Palm OS on Android devices.  CompanionLink pays much reverence to Palm OS because we got our start with that platform.  However, we’re a strong fan of adopting the new Android OS instead of fighting it.

Bringing business features from Palm OS to Android

Palm OS had simple and functional capabilities for business contact management, calendar scheduling, task management, and note-taking.  We have developed a PalmOS-like business PIM/CRM app for Android.  It’s called DejaOffice and is currently available for free on the Google Play store.  The existence of DejaOffice is rooted in transforming Android devices into business CRM tools that mirror the simplicity and functional themes of Palm OS.  As topping on the cake, we wish to also take advantage of the powerful features of today’s smartphones (GPS, location awareness, etc.).

More info on DejaOffice available at www.dejaoffice.com.

DejaOffice 2.2 [new feature] – Account management

Posted on by Rushang
1

DejaOffice 2.2 configures as an Account on your phone.  This means you do not need to sync DejaOffice with the existing Contacts accounts to get things like Caller ID to work.  It just works!

This is a big deal for people who previously had problems with the perception of duplicate data.  The problem really stems from synchronizing DejaContacts to the built-in Contacts app on the device. When you did this, there were two sets of records (one in DejaContacts and one in the built-in Contacts app).  You would get the impression that this was one set of data, duplicated.

With our new account management feature, you don’t need to sync to the built-in Contacts app.  This eliminates the perception of duplicate data and cleanly keeps DejaOffice data in it’s own account on the phone.

 

DejaOffice 2.2 will be launching towards the end of Summer 2012. To try a Beta version of the app, visit www.dejaoffice.com/androidapp and click the red button.