Outlook Synchronization: KeySuite by Chapura vs Beyond Contacts by Dataviz?

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shweta m

New member
I am trying to keep as much of the functionality of Outlook on my T3 as possible. I have downloaded the demo version of KeySuite by Chapura, and am pleased with it but find the price tag a bit steep. I have just seen a comparable and much less expensive application on PalmGear by Dataviz called Beyond Contacts, which has been downloaded many more times than KeySuite (maybe because of its lower price?). I would like to hear from people who have compared the two. I am most interested in support for Outlook features such as multiple categories, links between contacts, events and tasks, reminders for birthdays, synchronization for all telephone and e-mail fields, etc. I am not looking for e-mail support or cell phone support since I am planning to use the new Blackberry 7100 for e-mail. I am also obviously concerned about overall stability. The first time I used KeySuite I got a Fatal Error and had to do a soft reset, but so far since then it has been working well.

Any thoughts?
 
They are both good products. I went with KeySuite maninly because it's a Chapura product. Chapura has had a very close realtionship both with Palm and Outlook since the days of the IIIe and have a lot of experience in making Outlook work with the Palm. The higher price, I think, reflects a higher level of R&D costs to make sure that KeySuite is reasonably trouble free. The reset you got on first use is normal since KeySuite (any Beyond Contacts) use their own Palm PIM databases and the reset intitalizes the new databases. The views available from both products are very similar but I like the month view in KeySuite better than Beyond Contacts. KeySuite also has more linking abilities than Beyond Contacts. Anything you can link in Outlook, you can link in KeySuite and the links are synced both ways. The downside to both these applications is the amount of RAM they use. KeySuite is 1.4 mb and Beyond Contacts is over 1.6 mb and this is without the database sizes, so it's easy to consume up 3 or 4 mb using either of these programs. The pretty much limits their usefulness to people with 32 mb machines or folks who aren't running much else on a 16 mb machine.
 
I almost chose Beyond Contacts, but ultimately decided on getting Agendus Pro.

Beyond Contacts gives you a good bang for the buck. However, be prepared to surrender some memory. Beyond Contacts installs its own proprietary databases and does not use any of the standard PIM databases. It also does not allow you to assign icons to events and does not offer much flexability in your calendar views.

Beyond Contacts has an interface almost identical to Outlook. But if you are looking for a lot of features and different calendar views, Agendus would be the better choice.

On a side note, if you decide to get Beyond Contacts, you might consider upgrading Documents to Go. Dataviz offers discounts if you purchase more than one program at the same time.

Here is the link to Agendus:

http://www.iambic.com
 
O.K. Guys.......... got a question for you:

I'd like to use KeySuite but want to be able to get all of my addresses and datebook items from the Palm Desktop to KeySuite.

#1) How do I do this?

#2) Can any of KeySuite be placed into flash (as I currently have DateBk5 working from flash)?

Cheers,

Syno
 
Assuming that you are using the Palm Desktop now and not using Outlook the first time you install Key Suite it will sync the contact from the Handheld into Outlook and then upon the next sync then you should see all of the data on both platforms.

The reason you may not see it after the first sync is dependent upon the load of the PRC file for Key suite and typically the conduit manager loads new programs to the handheld first and as such the database is in place before the program has been installed and hasn't been brought into the handheld as of yet.

Key Suite uses different databases then the default palm database and you will not be able to sync to both the Palm Desktop and Outlook with regards to the 3 PIM files of Contacts, Calendar and Tasks. I'm not certain about how Key Suite treats the Notes database so you can ask Jim about that one.

Key suite is the way to go IMHO if you want the look and feel of Outlook. But I'd recommend looking at Agendus Pro as dwinget points out.

But you appear to be familiar with Datebook 5 and as such you may already know about Agendus....so then my recommendation would still be the same as Jim's. Key suite more closely resembles Outlook but by the same token your giving up the default databases to be wasted space since Key suite does not use the Palm Database fields in order to accomplish this functionality.
 
I see ..............

I have been having problems (pretty frequently now) with the Palm Desktop conduits and therefore I'm just thinking about switching everything over to KeySuite. I WILL miss DateBk5 though. Is it possible to schedule repeating events (with alarms) within KeySuite? I have DateBk5 set up with MULTIPLE repeating events that have alarms.

Now I do have Outlook up and running but the DateBook and Tasks are empty in it. I also have the Palm Desktop still active (and it's full of all my Datebook and task activities)................... I have Desktop version 4.1.4 but I assume your saying NONE of those conduits (i.e.- calendar, datebook / contacts, addresses) work with KeySuite. SO......how should I have my conduits set up after installing KeySuite to get my addresses, to-do's, and datebook items to transfer to KeySuite and Outlook? After I get them there, what conduits do I disable?

I'm assuming (but better not assume) that all my third party conduits will continue to function????

Lastly.........your saying I'll essentially be running two sets of databases for everything????? Not sure if my Palm m515 (and everything on it) can handle that.

Thanks so much for any further comments you can offer.

Syno
 
Key Suite and beyond Contacts both use their own sets of PIM databases. The built-in Palm databases are not used. When you install either of these programs, they automatically replace any existing PIM conduits with their conduits. You cannot sync with both the Palm desktop and outlook using these programs. All your other third party conduits will function normally.

I don't know what problems you're having with the Palm conduits but they are orders of magnitude more simple than Key Suite's or Beyond Contact's conduits. If the Palm desktop conduits aren't working right, it's likely that there's another problem that these programs won't solve.

DateBk5 and Agendus have many features that aren't offered in Key Suite or Beyond Contacts. The only reason to use these replacement programs is if you need things all 92 contacts fields from Outlook or you need links or meeting attendees to sync to the Palm. Unless you're a real power user of Outlook, you'll find either of these replacement programs to be overkill, especially on an M515. The combination of DateBk5 and Pocket Mirror is much better suited to an old, slow machine like the 515. You'll find either replacement program to be much slower in both use and syncing than the above.
 
This makes sense Jim ............ so Pocket Mirror does essentially the same thing that KeySuite does (without replacing my DateBk5, etc.......)????

That would be a better solution (once I get my conduits ironed out).

Let me know.

Cheers,

Syno
 
No, Pocket Mirror doesn't do the same things as Key Suite or Beyond Contacts. It syncs the data from the older PIM databases to Outlook. This means you're limited to four additional contacts fields, for example, compared to 92 contacts fields in Outlook. PM will sync calendar categories from DateBk5 to Outlook and will sync the calendar location field. Other than that, it can only sync the data that's in the Palm databases. Still, DateBk5, Pocket Mirror, and Outlook are more than enough for the average user. Key Suite is useful mainly for corporate users who need ALL of their Outlook data in their Palm. If this doesn't describe you, stick with DateBk5 and Pocket Mirror.
 
Sorry to belabor..............

My addresses and to-do's will also go to Outlook correct?

It will really just eliminate the need for the Palm Desktop (which I think would be a good thing for me)??

I have been using Jibe to get my addresses from Outlook Express, etc.....

I think the more I talk through this, Pocket Mirror is the way to go for me.

Syno
 
Yes, everything that's on your Palm PIM apps will end up in Outlook unless you set a conduit not to sync. It's actually much easier to just set up Pocket Mirror and use it than it is to explain it.
 
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