When Palm Computing briefed us on the Palm HotSync Server on October 8, we were told that the Palm HotSync Server would be able to synchronize directly with Lotus Notes and Microsoft Exchange servers. When the product was announced, Palm said that the Palm HotSync Server would ship with conduits for Exchange but there was no mention of any conduits shipping for Lotus Notes. Although, upon follow-up with Palm, we learned that "Palm plans to make a Lotus Notes conduit available, but has not given a timeline for doing so," we still think the information in this article is of interest to Lotus Notes users. We'll have more information on the Palm HotSync Server as soon as it becomes available. Make sure you stay tuned to our News Page.

Just when you've finally gotten comfortable playing with your Palm organizer and HotSyncing in private, Palm makes announcements that may mean you'll be HotSyncing in public as well. You'll be HotSyncing in conference rooms, in lobbies, or in any other area where the Palm device users of your company might congregate.

On October 18th, Palm announced that they are currently working on the development of two products, the Palm HotSync Server and Palm Ethernet Cradle. By using both of these products, Palm device users will be able to synchronize their Palm devices with corporate (enterprise) data and even their own data by placing their organizer in a Palm Ethernet Cradle that's connected to a Palm HotSync Server via the corporate network. One of the somewhat surprising, yet great, things about the Palm HotSync Server product announcement is the news that it will work not only with products running the Palm OS, but with Windows CE devices as well. This seems to be a sign to indicate just how serious Palm Computing is about making this a flexible enterprise solution for managing handheld devices.

For example, say you're attending a meeting in Building 10 of your multi-building company and realize that you never performed a HotSync to get your email or the project planning database that resides on one of the company's servers. Rather than having to walk ten minutes or so back to your desk in Building 1, you can, instead, place your Palm device in a Palm Ethernet Cradle that resides in the meeting room. Then, you'll be able to HotSync with your vital corporate and personal data through the Palm HotSync Server on the network.