bcm synch to mobile problem

[Guest]

We have downloaded the latest version of the Windows Mobile 5 for Pocket PC.
The first time we go in to the phone, we are able to open the Business
Contacts Folder and view them but the subsequent times we go in, it seems to
just freeze up or something. Anyone know what's wrong? We have removed the
program and reinstalled it and the same thing happened.

 

[mrtimpeterson via OfficeKB.com]

Hopeful,

I am not sure that your Pocket PC is freezing up. It may just be taking a
mega long time to load the view of the contacts. What Pocket PC device are
you using? Is the device processor at least 300 M? I have found the most
recently released WM BCM version to be an extreme resource hog. It runs slow
when changing from view by contacts to view by company. If you have a weaker
device processor this will take longer.

This BCM mobile app is NOT yet navigatable via the 5 way directional "D" pad
that most Pocket PC devices have had for over 2 years now. You are LIMITED
to having to pull out the stylus (like 5+ years ago) to get around with this.
It does not have any caller ID feature either yet. It seems like this
version 2 release just got shoved out the door in an incomplete state because
it could wait no longer as the progressing months of 2007 go by.

It will be a great day when these BCM integration tools (like robust mobile
device synchronization) can be released in a proactive coordinated manner
rather than reactive and incomplete years later.
I am hopeful that a MUCH improved version 3 release is not too far off into
the future. It would be nice if this were to be months rather than years.

-THP

 

[Guest]

THP-
Thanks for your reply and information. The phone is a brand new Treo 750
working with Windows Mobile 5.0, 49.35 M processor memory, so it sounds like
the insufficient memory is the issue. If ours has so little and it's new, 1.
what prodcut similar to the Treo 750 has that much processing memory? 2. Or
could we install more memory?

As we consider our options, 3. do you know if our phone as is will be able
to handle the regular Outlook contacts if we move them all from bcm to
'contacts'?

Again, thank you for your help.

 

[mrtimpeterson via OfficeKB.com]

Hopeful,

The 49.35 MB that you mention is the amount of persistent user storage in non
volatile flash memory. What I am referring to is the processor and the Treo
750 is a 300 MHz. You have should more than enough "normal" processing power
because current state of the art Windows Mobile devices range from around 195
MHz processor speed on the low end up to as high as around 600 MHz on the
high end.

The default Active Sync conduit that comes with your Treo will sync all
contact data from the native Outlook folder. BCM of course is a different
animal and of course involves more complexity and an apparent processor
resource hog to boot. I realize that the designers probably wanted to
include the ability to sync some BCM History items but this all comes at a
cost of great inconvenience and needless redundancy not to also mention the
loss of functions like caller ID, quick look up, D-Pad navigation, etc.

The bottom line is that your Treo 750 will be just fine to sync native
Outlook contact folder items. If you want to also sync your BCM Contact
folder items (and who doesn't?), you can either use the just released (very
clunky and not yet ready for prime time) version 2 of BCM for WM. This is a
free download from MS. The other alternative is to spend about $50 and get a
slick conduit from 1 of 2 3rd party developers (Chapura or Companionlink). I
have used the Chapura Pocket Mirror Professional for WM and it works just
great. It actually syncs your BCM contact data into the SAME contacts app on
your Treo as the Outlook contacts go. Check it out at www.chapura.com.

Best wishes,

-THP

THP-
Thanks for your reply and information. The phone is a brand new Treo 750
working with Windows Mobile 5.0, 49.35 M processor memory, so it sounds like
the insufficient memory is the issue. If ours has so little and it's new, 1.
what prodcut similar to the Treo 750 has that much processing memory? 2. Or
could we install more memory?

As we consider our options, 3. do you know if our phone as is will be able
to handle the regular Outlook contacts if we move them all from bcm to
'contacts'?

Again, thank you for your help.

Hopeful,

[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]

 

[mrtimpeterson via OfficeKB.com]

I hate to seem so negative and keep plugging for 3rd party alternatives but
the most recently released version 2 WM sync solution for BCM from MS is a
huge disappointment in my opinion. This behind the curve version release is
lacking in so many user friendly basics. Your Business Contact data gets
synced into a stand alone separate contact application (just like the BCM
contact folder is separate from Outlook contacts on the PC). This fact isn't
so bad but then it is like we are stepping back 5+ years in time to the old
Windows CE ways of device navigation where you must get the stylus out and
use 2 hands just to look up a business contact.

It seems like this design team works for the government or something because
they never fail to underwhelm with such not quite ready releases. I know I
make a lot of noise about this here but instead of seemingly operating within
a vacuum, I wish the various MS design teams could at least be incented to
coordinate these things a little better. It seems like someone just began to
think about the need to develop a good WM sync conduit only 6 months ago. MS
certainly has the resources to get this right but like most bureacracies, the
left hand doesn't always seem to know what the right hand is up to.

My suggestion is to simply look around guys and try to PROACTIVELY make all
aspects of BCM as convenient and robust to use as Outlook by itself!

Rant over.

-THP

Hopeful,

The 49.35 MB that you mention is the amount of persistent user storage in non
volatile flash memory. What I am referring to is the processor and the Treo
750 is a 300 MHz. You have should more than enough "normal" processing power
because current state of the art Windows Mobile devices range from around 195
MHz processor speed on the low end up to as high as around 600 MHz on the
high end.

The default Active Sync conduit that comes with your Treo will sync all
contact data from the native Outlook folder. BCM of course is a different
animal and of course involves more complexity and an apparent processor
resource hog to boot. I realize that the designers probably wanted to
include the ability to sync some BCM History items but this all comes at a
cost of great inconvenience and needless redundancy not to also mention the
loss of functions like caller ID, quick look up, D-Pad navigation, etc.

The bottom line is that your Treo 750 will be just fine to sync native
Outlook contact folder items. If you want to also sync your BCM Contact
folder items (and who doesn't?), you can either use the just released (very
clunky and not yet ready for prime time) version 2 of BCM for WM. This is a
free download from MS. The other alternative is to spend about $50 and get a
slick conduit from 1 of 2 3rd party developers (Chapura or Companionlink). I
have used the Chapura Pocket Mirror Professional for WM and it works just
great. It actually syncs your BCM contact data into the SAME contacts app on
your Treo as the Outlook contacts go. Check it out at www.chapura.com.

Best wishes,

-THP

THP-
Thanks for your reply and information. The phone is a brand new Treo 750

[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]

 

[Guest]

THP-
Thanks again for your input. I don't mind the ranting, it's nice to know
we're not alone in our astonishment. If we have enough memory, I would think
that bcm on the treo would be slow but not totally stopped as it has been for
us. After clicking on the bcm folder to open it, the little circle starts to
turn but then it stops, the whole thing freezes. My boss let it sit there
for half an hour before he finally just shut it off. Do you think we have
too many contacts (1800)? Or too many history items? Is there a way to omit
synching the history in order to speed things up?

We will consider a third party option but may sit on it for awhile in hopes
that MS will come out with an improvement. Do you have any idea if they are
considering doing another release so soon?

Thanks again.
--
hopeful

I hate to seem so negative and keep plugging for 3rd party alternatives but
the most recently released version 2 WM sync solution for BCM from MS is a
huge disappointment in my opinion. This behind the curve version release is
lacking in so many user friendly basics. Your Business Contact data gets
synced into a stand alone separate contact application (just like the BCM
contact folder is separate from Outlook contacts on the PC). This fact isn't
so bad but then it is like we are stepping back 5+ years in time to the old
Windows CE ways of device navigation where you must get the stylus out and
use 2 hands just to look up a business contact.

It seems like this design team works for the government or something because
they never fail to underwhelm with such not quite ready releases. I know I
make a lot of noise about this here but instead of seemingly operating within
a vacuum, I wish the various MS design teams could at least be incented to
coordinate these things a little better. It seems like someone just began to
think about the need to develop a good WM sync conduit only 6 months ago. MS
certainly has the resources to get this right but like most bureacracies, the
left hand doesn't always seem to know what the right hand is up to.

My suggestion is to simply look around guys and try to PROACTIVELY make all
aspects of BCM as convenient and robust to use as Outlook by itself!

Rant over.

-THP

Hopeful,

The 49.35 MB that you mention is the amount of persistent user storage in non
volatile flash memory. What I am referring to is the processor and the Treo
750 is a 300 MHz. You have should more than enough "normal" processing power
because current state of the art Windows Mobile devices range from around 195
MHz processor speed on the low end up to as high as around 600 MHz on the
high end.

The default Active Sync conduit that comes with your Treo will sync all
contact data from the native Outlook folder. BCM of course is a different
animal and of course involves more complexity and an apparent processor
resource hog to boot. I realize that the designers probably wanted to
include the ability to sync some BCM History items but this all comes at a
cost of great inconvenience and needless redundancy not to also mention the
loss of functions like caller ID, quick look up, D-Pad navigation, etc.

The bottom line is that your Treo 750 will be just fine to sync native
Outlook contact folder items. If you want to also sync your BCM Contact
folder items (and who doesn't?), you can either use the just released (very
clunky and not yet ready for prime time) version 2 of BCM for WM. This is a
free download from MS. The other alternative is to spend about $50 and get a
slick conduit from 1 of 2 3rd party developers (Chapura or Companionlink). I
have used the Chapura Pocket Mirror Professional for WM and it works just
great. It actually syncs your BCM contact data into the SAME contacts app on
your Treo as the Outlook contacts go. Check it out at www.chapura.com.

Best wishes,

-THP

THP-
Thanks for your reply and information. The phone is a brand new Treo 750

[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]

just freeze up or something. Anyone know what's wrong? We have removed the
program and reinstalled it and the same thing happened.

 

[mrtimpeterson via OfficeKB.com]

Hopeful,

I have another speculation (just a theory) that could be the problem. Your
WM Treo 750 should handle 1800 contacts with great ease. I am however
wondering if this latest BCM WM version 2 release is compatible with square
screen Pocket PC's such as the Treo. Most previous versions of Pocket PC
(like my Cingular HTC 8125) are all in a 240x320 rectangular screen
resolution but with WM 5.0 the OS was made adaptable for square screens such
as the Treo's 240x240 res. Square screen Pocket PC's have been out since
late 05 and the WM Treo is one of the best selling devices around so it would
indeed be embarrasing if this software were not compatible. Someone from MS
here will have to confirm or deny this possibility.

With a very open mind I used the new MS BCM sync solution for 1 week and I
just could not tolerate having no caller ID or quick dial functionality. It
seemed stupid to take such compromised steps backwards when the Chapura
Pocket Mirror solution makes no such compromises. You also cannot sync any
BCM Contact photos. The list goes on... Can one ultimately live with these
limitations? Sure, but why if you don't have to? If you spend $400 for a
converged, state of the art WM device one is not exactly in the mood to have
to make needless sacrifices with restricted software design releases. Again,
I am not wishing to sound so negative ad nauseum. I am really just providing
a loud and clear honest feedback loop as an end user. I wish for the very
best in the future from the BCM design team(s).

I would not be afraid of trying the Pocket Mirror conduit even though it does
not come directly from MS. Over the years Chapura seems to always be
proactive and way ahead of the curve with their innovation. Rather than an
afterthought, they do syncronization right and in the rare instance that you
may need help, their customer service is legendary!

-THP

THP-
Thanks again for your input. I don't mind the ranting, it's nice to know
we're not alone in our astonishment. If we have enough memory, I would think
that bcm on the treo would be slow but not totally stopped as it has been for
us. After clicking on the bcm folder to open it, the little circle starts to
turn but then it stops, the whole thing freezes. My boss let it sit there
for half an hour before he finally just shut it off. Do you think we have
too many contacts (1800)? Or too many history items? Is there a way to omit
synching the history in order to speed things up?

We will consider a third party option but may sit on it for awhile in hopes
that MS will come out with an improvement. Do you have any idea if they are
considering doing another release so soon?

Thanks again.

I hate to seem so negative and keep plugging for 3rd party alternatives but
the most recently released version 2 WM sync solution for BCM from MS is a

[quoted text clipped - 58 lines]

 

[mrtimpeterson via OfficeKB.com]

Additional comment:

If you decide to stay with the MS BCM sync application, you can filter how
much History data is synced by doing the following.

Open up the Active Sync dialogue window. Double click on the Business
Contacts icon at the bottom and wait patiently (for some reason this
sometimes can take up to 15 seconds to open) for the "Business Contact
Syncronization Settings" dialogue window to open. At the bottom is a
"History Settings" button that opens up various filter options for you to
select. Hopefully this will help speed up your problem.

Best wishes,

-THP

Hopeful,

I have another speculation (just a theory) that could be the problem. Your
WM Treo 750 should handle 1800 contacts with great ease. I am however
wondering if this latest BCM WM version 2 release is compatible with square
screen Pocket PC's such as the Treo. Most previous versions of Pocket PC
(like my Cingular HTC 8125) are all in a 240x320 rectangular screen
resolution but with WM 5.0 the OS was made adaptable for square screens such
as the Treo's 240x240 res. Square screen Pocket PC's have been out since
late 05 and the WM Treo is one of the best selling devices around so it would
indeed be embarrasing if this software were not compatible. Someone from MS
here will have to confirm or deny this possibility.

With a very open mind I used the new MS BCM sync solution for 1 week and I
just could not tolerate having no caller ID or quick dial functionality. It
seemed stupid to take such compromised steps backwards when the Chapura
Pocket Mirror solution makes no such compromises. You also cannot sync any
BCM Contact photos. The list goes on... Can one ultimately live with these
limitations? Sure, but why if you don't have to? If you spend $400 for a
converged, state of the art WM device one is not exactly in the mood to have
to make needless sacrifices with restricted software design releases. Again,
I am not wishing to sound so negative ad nauseum. I am really just providing
a loud and clear honest feedback loop as an end user. I wish for the very
best in the future from the BCM design team(s).

I would not be afraid of trying the Pocket Mirror conduit even though it does
not come directly from MS. Over the years Chapura seems to always be
proactive and way ahead of the curve with their innovation. Rather than an
afterthought, they do syncronization right and in the rare instance that you
may need help, their customer service is legendary!

-THP

THP-
Thanks again for your input. I don't mind the ranting, it's nice to know

[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]