SyncML means Synchronization Markup Language, now known as Open Mobile Alliance (OMA), is an open-source standard for digital devices to interoperate regardless of manufacturer or brand.

For example, SyncML might be used between a cell phone and a computer, or a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a network. The advantage of SyncML is that it is platform-independent, making it a flexible solution for connecting digital devices of all kinds.

The project is currently referred to as Open Mobile Alliance Data Synchronization and Device Management. The purpose of SyncML is to offer an open standard as a replacement for existing data synchronization solutions, which have mostly been somewhat vendor-, application- or operating system specific.

What is SyncML?

SyncML is most commonly thought of as a method to synchronize contact and calendar information (personal information manager) between some type of handheld device and a computer (personal, or network-based service), such as between a mobile phone and a personal computer. The new version of the specification includes support for push email, providing a standard protocol alternative to proprietary solutions like BlackBerry.

SyncML is a standard for synchronizing personal organizer data between different devices. Such data includes contacts, to-do lists, and schedules. Devices might be phones, handhelds, PCs, or even services, such as web sites. SyncML provides an XML-based standard format for this data, that all SyncML-compatible devices can understand. It can work over various types of connections, including Wireless Internet, Bluetooth, and infrared.


The power of synchronization is that it allows updates on one device to be automatically and instantly reflected in all other devices without manual updating. To a single user at home, this means that synching a PDA to the computer will update the calendar or task list automatically. But what happens if a company wants to update inventory to a field of 200 internationally placed sales representatives?

As portable digital devices have become ubiquitous, the languages these devices used to synchronize with computer systems have been largely proprietary. If using a BlackBerry PDA, for instance, special accompanying synchronization software was necessary to get the BlackBerry to “talk” to a network and collect email. As consumers began using more interoperable digital devices, it became clear that a single unifying language would be preferable to a large family of competing proprietary languages.

Using SyncML, a home office can, for example, update field reps without thought as to what type of device each salesperson has, or what language is required to communicate with that device. As long as all devices are SyncML compliant, a single task is all it takes to update all devices on the network. The use of SyncML through Internet cafés, wireless hot spots, and virtual private networks can mean increased productivity and convenience for consumers and businesses alike.

SyncML is the brainchild of Philippe Kahn, who also invented the camera phone and founded Borland, Starfish Software, LightSurf, and FullPower Technologies. Motorola purchased Starfish Software in 1998, while Verisign now owns LightSurf. Heavy-hitters such as IBM, Lotus, Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Palm Inc., Siemens AG, and Motorola already build SyncML compliance into their products. It is hoped that SyncML will become a global language for both wired and wireless technologies, providing a common language the world over for digital connectivity.