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3.5.1 Ericsson EPOC Connect
The basis for MC 218 to PC information exchange is Ericsson EPOC Connect. Ericsson EPOC
Connect is built around a plug-in strategy to enable extra functionality to be included, as user
needs change and extend. Although Ericsson EPOC Connect is packed with functionality which is
described in each section below, we know that there will be consumers with more ideas and the
plug-in strategy is an extension of the openness which is one of the leading design objectives for
the MC 218. Already today there are a several of plug-ins available from Third party SW vendors.
Ericsson EPOC Connect runs on both Windows 98/95 and NT 4.0.
Connection can be done over a normal serial connection using RS 232 and the supplied cable or
by the use of IR communication. IR communication works only on Windows 98/95 because
Windows NT lacks IR support.
The number of units that can talk to each other are unlimited. A PC can be partner with several
different MC 218s. This is vital if, for example, a family has one PC but each family member has
their own MC 218.
One MC 218 can also be partner with several PCs. This ensures that information from both the
work PC and the home PC can be synchronized with the MC 218.
3.5.2 Synchronization of e-mail
The MC 218 is a perfect product for mobile e-mail. The message client is easily accessed with a
Quick Launch icon and the mail program handles both older and newer mail protocols (POP3 and
IMAP4). When the user is close to the PC it is normally faster and cheaper to use the
synchronization feature between the PC and the MC 218 for e-mail compared to downloading
them through GSM. The e-mail synchronization on the MC 218 enables synchronization not only
of the Inbox, but also of the Sent, Outbox and Draft folders. Synchronization can be configured in
several ways to optimize use and time consumption. For example the size of a message and the
time window for synchronization can be limited.
The synchronised e-mails are stored in a separate folder on the MC 218, which makes it easy for
the user to remember where the e-mail message comes from.
3.5.3 Synchronization of documents
A mobile user needs reference information so it is important to be sure that the user has the same
information in all his or her devices. The synchronization of documents offers the user an
automatic way to ensure that the same information is always available on the MC 218. Document
synchronisation can be set up to run automatically, which means that the user is always sure to
have the latest info available.
Synchronization also works in the other direction. When the user has been away from the PC for a
while and updated documents, taken notes and much more, the new updates are automatically
synchronized on the PC thus ensuring that the user has the information available on both devices.
The synchronization of documents handles all formats supported by Ericsson EPOC Connect.
These are:
For EPOC Word:
•
Microsoft Word 97, 95, 6.2
•
WordPerfect 8, 7, 6, 5.1
•
Lotus Ami Pro 3.0, 3.1
•
Microsoft Works 4, 3
For EPOC Sheet
•
Excel 97, 95, 5, 4
•
Lotus 123 wk 4, 3,1