CWU BlackBerry Help: Email synchronization

The synchronization process

1. Central's Connection
2. How long does it take? A tale of two emails...
3. Manual reconciliation
4. Don't take the garbage out (WHAT?!!)

Central's Connection

The BlackBerry PDA makes use of a "push" technology which basically means when an email is received, it is sent out to your Blackberry as well as your computer. Here at Central, we're set up with wireless synchronization so you don't have to worry about needing to hook your PDA into your computer and let the two "talk" to each other. Your BlackBerry and your GroupWise "talk" to each other on a frequent basis over a wireless network and keep each other updated on both email and calendar items.

How long does it take? A tale of two emails...

Two test emails, Test 1 and Test 2 are sent out. Test 1 is read on the BlackBerry and then promptly deleted off of the BlackBerry. Test 2 is read on the computer and left there. It is then deleted several minutes later off of the computer. Here's what happens in chronological order:

• Both emails are received at 11:18 a.m.
• Test 1 is read from the BlackBerry and deleted at 11:19 a.m. At 11:20 a.m. Test 1 is still showing on the computer as unread so a manual reconciliation is performed (see steps to do so below). The results are immediate - Test 1 disappears from the computer.
• Test 2 is read on the computer at 11:20 a.m. At 11:22 a.m. Test 2 changes on the BlackBerry to show that it has been read. Test 2 is then deleted off of the computer (see tip below for deleting emails on your computer) at 11:23 a.m. At 11:33 a.m., Test 2 disappears from the BlackBerry.

And the moral of the story is... it can take awhile (about 20 minutes or so depending on the server load) for the sychronization process to run. If you notice your BlackBerry and your computer are not synchronizing, contact the HelpDesk at x2001 to report the problem.

Manual reconciliation

If you've read an email on your BlackBerry and it's still showing up as unread on your computer, you can do a manual reconciliation at any time by doing the following:

• From the Messages screeen, click and select Reconcile Now from the menu.

The results will be immediate.

Note: this will only apply to those items read and/or are deleted on the BlackBerry but still showing up on the computer. This does not apply the other way around.

Don't take the garbage out (WHAT?!!!)

Don't empty the Trash in GroupWise, the BlackBerry looks there to tell it what needs it needs to delete also. Any items in your GroupWise Trash that are older than 10 days will automatically clear themselves out.

Page last updated 04/24/07. Send questions or comments to blackberry@cwu.edu.