Sales Organization Requires Mobile User Access A company selling and servicing laboratory equipment employs 10 field technical account representatives that visit clients throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. A FileMaker Server in Massachusetts hosts FileMaker databases with customer contact info and a product support knowledge base. Problem The challenge was how to keep up-to-date data flowing between the mobile users and a central FileMaker Server. Company reps still needed a way to access and update database info offline, especially while traveling or on site with customers. Initially, reps were given a copy of the database on their laptops, instructed to export new data manually, and send it by email to the central office where the data was merged into the Server copy. An updated version of the merged database was distributed daily. The data merge became very complex and required an administrator to manage it. Delays and data conflicts occurred and the database was rarely current or completely accurate. Solution The company's mobile reps kept database copies on each laptop, with SyncDeK installed into the existing database. Each Technical Account Rep carries a current knowledge base on his or her laptop and is able to serve customers on a real-time basis. The home office, running SyncDeK Server, now has all sales data and customer technical support information updated on a daily basis. How It Works SyncDeK Server automatically distributes database changes from the FileMaker Server out to all user nodes on a continuous basis. Laptop users synchronize with the click of a single button when an Internet connection is available, receiving all sync data from the server, and sending all changes they've made locally. SyncDeK merges data automatically and intelligently, including detecting and resolving potential data conflicts. Results The company drastically reduced the data-sharing timetable, and made the technical account reps more productive out in the field. Automating the synchronization helped free the home office staff from data entry for more productive activities. They also assured continuity of customer care data in case of a change in personnel. And they did it using FileMaker Pro. Product: Network Starter Kit and 8 Single-user Engine Licenses Proven Benefits