Overview of How Siebel CRM Desktop Synchronizes Data
Siebel CRM Desktop uses a process that the client controls to synchronize data between Outlook and the Siebel Server. Once installed, the client initializes the Siebel CRM data that is available in Outlook through the first synchronization. An incremental synchronization synchronizes subsequent changes that occur in Outlook or on the Siebel Server.
The user must do the first synchronization with the Siebel Server to make Siebel CRM data available in Outlook. First Run Assistant is a wizard that guides the user through the setup of the Siebel CRM Desktop add-in in Outlook. It displays when the user starts Outlook for the first time after the Siebel CRM Desktop add-in is installed. It starts the first synchronization.
The user can choose among several preferences and then start the first synchronization while using the First Run Assistant. Siebel CRM Desktop does the following work:
Connects Outlook to the Siebel Server and then authenticates the user.
Determines the configuration that the user can access. A relationship with a responsibility that is related to a customization package determines this access. For more information, see Relationships Between Users, Responsibilities, Customization Packages, and Metadata Files.
Downloads and applies the configuration.
Synchronizes the appropriate data. The connector configuration, synchronization mappings, visibility rules, default internal filters, and default user filters determine this synchronization.
For more information, see How Siebel CRM Desktop Synchronizes Data Between the Client and the Siebel Server.
About Web Service Usage During Synchronization
A component of the Synchronization Engine that you deploy to the client supports synchronization. This component connects to the Siebel Server through the Web service infrastructure. Web services provide access to synchronization for metadata and synchronization for Siebel CRM data. Siebel CRM Desktop provides access to individual objects through the standard Siebel EAI (Enterprise Application Integration) runtime repository objects, such as integration objects and integration components. These objects acquire data through their relations with business objects and business components.
About Siebel CRM Desktop and Microsoft Outlook Data
Microsoft Outlook data is data that the user creates in the native Outlook application. Examples include a calendar entry or To Do item. Siebel CRM data is data that can include the following items:
Business data that the user creates in the Siebel CRM Desktop add-in
Data that a user creates in the client of a Siebel Business Application, such as Siebel Call Center
Data that resides in the Siebel database on the Siebel Server
Examples of Siebel CRM data include an opportunity, account, or activity. Siebel CRM Desktop uses native Outlook data files, so Outlook displays Siebel CRM data through native Outlook user interface elements, such as lists and forms. Outlook can display this data simultaneously with other Outlook data while using the same user interface concept, such as a mailbox folder. The user can choose a folder that displays Siebel CRM data and can also view Outlook data in the Outlook list view.
Siebel CRM Desktop displays Siebel CRM data in the following contexts:
Outlook forms. These forms are extensions to Outlook calendar, contacts, email, and To Do items.
Outlook items. For example, the details of an account or opportunity that is related to the Outlook calendar entry that is shared with Siebel CRM Desktop.
When disconnected from the Siebel Server, the user interacts with data that the user can access locally in Outlook.