synchronization markup language (syncML)

Synchronization Markup Language (SyncML) is an open standard for synchronizing address and appointment data. Using SyncML, cell phones, notebooks and PDAs can synchronize their address books and calendars with personal computers or web services.

SyncML uses special synchronization mechanisms and formats to support synchronous data exchange between different mobile devices and mobile computing. For SyncML the transmission method does not matter, sae can be done over radio networks, over infrared or even wired.

With SyncML, mobile computers can synchronize with stationary computers and their applications. This allows mobile services to extend to configurations of the mobile devices. Likewise, application-related data can be exchanged between the stationary systems and the mobile devices. For example, address lists or appointments can be synchronized with each other.

As an open standard, SyncML can be integrated into all devices. It is independent of the network architecture and can synchronize data via mobile networks, the Internet or between two coupled devices. When data is synchronized over the Internet, the transfer is done using the HTTP protocol; in cellular networks, it is done using the Wireless Session Protocol( WSP).

The SyncML initiative takes care of the SyncML specifications.