Siebel CRM Desktop for Microsoft Outlook Administration Guide > How Siebel CRM Desktop Synchronizes Data > How Siebel CRM Desktop Synchronizes Data Between the Client and the Siebel Server >

Situations Where Siebel CRM Desktop Reinstalls the Data Structure

Siebel CRM Desktop reinstalls the data structure in any of the following situations:

• The customization package has changed and this involves a change to the data schema.
• The package update for the user involves a data schema change.
• The user logs in as a different user.
• There is a problem with the data structure. For example, assume the user deletes the Opportunities folder, and then removes this deletion from the Deleted Items folder. If the user restarts Microsoft Outlook, then Siebel CRM Desktop does the following:
  • Informs the user that there is a problem with the data structure.
  • Removes the data structure.
  • Installs a new data structure.

If Siebel CRM Desktop must reinstall the data structure, then it does the following work:

1. Removes all Siebel CRM data, such as accounts, opportunities, shared contacts, and activities.
2. Removes all shared appointments and tasks that the user created for a Siebel CRM activity.
3. Removes the custom data structure that it previously deployed to Microsoft Outlook data storage. For example, to remove all custom folders in the user mailbox.
4. Installs the new data structure.
5. To reenter the appropriate Siebel CRM data in the Microsoft Outlook data storage, the user must manually start a new, initial synchronization session.

The Customization Package Has Changed

During synchronization, Siebel CRM Desktop determines if the customization package for the user who is currently logged in has changed in such a way that it must reinstall the data structure. The following changes in the data structure of the customization package can cause this situation:

• An object is added to or deleted from the mapping scheme.
• A field is added to an existing object or an existing field is modified.

If the customization package has changed, then Siebel CRM Desktop displays a prompt that is similar to the following:

Data structure has changed. Continue synchronization? Selecting "Yes" will remove your current data, re-install the data structure, and download the data anew.

The Customization Package Has Changed but the Data Structure Has Not Changed

If, during synchronization, Siebel CRM Desktop determines that the customization package for the user who is currently logged in has changed in such a way that there is no change to the data structure, then Siebel CRM Desktop downloads and installs the new package, and informs the user about this download. The synchronization continues. A modification to a security rule is an example of where the package has changed, but the data structure has not changed. In this situation, Siebel CRM Desktop does not start a new, initial synchronization.

Situations Where Local Data Might Be Lost

To prevent losing data due to a reinstallation of the data structure, Siebel CRM Desktop must use the current customization package to upload local data to the Siebel Server. The exception to this requirement occurs if the package is changed locally. In this situation, Siebel CRM Desktop cannot use the current, flawed package to synchronize data. Data for the user can be lost in the following situations:

• If data exists that Siebel CRM Desktop cannot upload to the Siebel Server because the permissions for the user have changed.
• If data exists for a user that is associated with synchronized items but is stored in fields that are not synchronized. Siebel CRM Desktop completely replaces the record in Microsoft Outlook with the record that it downloads from the Siebel Server. It erases any local data.

How Siebel CRM Desktop Prevents Data Loss if the User Deletes Customization Package Files

If Microsoft Outlook is open, then the user cannot delete any customization package files. For example, if the user attempts to use Windows Explorer to delete files from the following directory, then Windows Explorer does not allow the deletion:

C:\Documents and Settings\user\Application Data\Oracle\CRM Desktop\Profile\data

If Microsoft Outlook is not running, then the user can use Windows Explorer to delete customization package files. However, if the user subsequently starts Microsoft Outlook, then Siebel CRM Desktop restores the customization package files from local storage. This local storage is a pst folder or an Exchange mailbox.

Affect of a Connectivity Failure

An internet or network connectivity failure that occurs during synchronization can interrupt the synchronization. An interruption does not cause data loss or corruption. Synchronization can proceed from the last step that Siebel CRM Desktop ran successfully before the interruption.