Synchronizing

[geod]

In general what are the prevailing options for synchronizing two FM databases. Plugin or internal FM tools. Your replies are appreciated.

[BobWeaver]

Oh boy! This is always a thorny question. Unfortunately, unless you define some very strict rules about how to handle some of the conflicting things that can happen, you can't really do it automatically. Consider the following situations:

1. User A modifies a record in his copy, and user B modifies the same record (differently) in his copy. Now, which record is correct?

2. User A deletes a record. User B doesn't delete that record. When syncronizing, will that record be added back in?

The best solution is to have all users using the same copy of the file at all times so that you don't have to worry about synchronizing. If that's impossible, you can create a Filemaker script to do the synching, but you will have to define some rules for handling the above conflicts.

[LiveOak]

This is kind of like asking for the prevailing options of construction type, location and financing for building a house!

Synchronization is mostly a marketing term that means almost NOTHING! What most people need the computer to do is something the most senior clerical in a company can do correctly about 60% of the time. The computer doesn't really stand a chance unless some REALLY simple rule for synchronization is adopted (most recent modification by date and time). Using rules this simple often useless.

The really basic option is to 1) add new records 2) pick record A or B if two versions of the same record exist or 3) save both versions of the same record and let a human decide later.

-bd