XTNDConnect is compatible with either Microsoft Exchange 5.5/2000 or Lotus Domino 4.5/4.6/R5 as the groupware server on the back end. The application also supports synchronization to any ODBC-compliant database and Internet-standard servers (POP, IMAP, WCAP/iCAL). On the client side, this version of XTNDConnect supports Palm OS, Windows CE, Pocket PC and Symbian devices.

Clients can connect using a wired or wireless modem, wireless LANs, CDMA, CDPD or GSM wireless WANs as long as they can get a TCP/IP connection back to the XTNDConnect Server. For clients using a serial link or the cradle, XTNDConnect's program, Connect Proxy, communicates to the server after being installed on the local PC.

No slouch on security, XTNDConnect 3.0 supports authentication against Microsoft Exchange, Windows NT, Active Directory, LDAP, Lotus Domino or an internal user database. Additionally all communications between client and server are encrypted -- a public key is generated based on a password set by the administrator when the server is first installed. That key is entered the first time any client device tries to connect to the XTNDConnect server.

Taking It for a Test Drive

I tested the XTNDConnect Server PE 3.0 in Network Computing's Real World Labs' at Syracuse University. Initial setup involves launching the XTNDConnect software utilizing the groupware configuration that is in place in your organization. I ran the XTNDConnect server on a 500 MHz Pentium III Dell OptiPlex with 256 MB of RAM, running Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server with SP2 and I set up a Microsoft Exchange server 2000 to function as the groupware mail server.

Vendor Information XTNDConnect Server Professional Edition, $150 per user, based on 100-user volume. Available: Now. Extended Systems, (800) 235-7576; (208) 322-7575; fax (208) 327-5004. www.extendedsystems.com.

For handheld clients I had a plethora of devices to test against: a Handspring Visor, a Casio Cassiopeia, a Palm m505, an HP Jornada Pocket PC and Palm emulators for Palm IIIc and Palm m505.

I installed the server with just a few clicks -- The XTNDConnect account has to be set up with the right to log on as a service and operate as a batch job. I set the configuration options using the XTNDConnect Administration application. The Site Wizard guided me through configuration of groupware options including the ability to define groups of users. Each user is also configured according to the installation and synchronization desired. In addition, backup and restore options can be set.

The software for each client is configured with the server IP, the username and a password. There is also an option for the device to remember the password. This version of XTNDConnect has a new interface featuring one-click profiles that allow the users to connect back to the server and complete transactions based on the type of connection available at that time. That means if the user is synchronizing through a cradle or a situation where high bandwidth is available, activities that require more juice such as backing up files and downloading mail attachments can be performed. On the other hand, if the user is utilizing a wireless or low-bandwidth connection, an option called "Quick Mail" is available for the device to make a connection for only the minimum time necessary.

For Palm OS devices, this version of XTNDConnect offers a full-range mail client. Meeting requests, follow-up flags and attachments are now supported and handled by the MailPlus client. Thanks to MailPlus' integration with DataViz, it's possible to view Word, Excel and Power Point files as well. Attachments, however, can be forwarded from the device only in their original format, which means I cannot edit an attachment from my mobile device and then forward it.

You've Got Auto-Mail

A new eye-catching feature introduced by XTNDConnect in this 3.0 version is the concept of auto-messaging. Auto-messaging has two components: AutoSync and AutoDelivery (only supported on the Palm i705 at this time). AutoSync provides the ability to configure the device to connect back to the server and retrieve certain information on a regular basis without the need for user intervention. I configured my device to connect to the server every 15 minutes and to give me audible and visual notifications if I received new messages. The AutoSync options could also be set in preferences to automatically disable if the battery is running low.

AutoDelivery is similar, but the server will contact the wireless device only if something is waiting to be delivered to it. If the user receives an e-mail for example, a notification will be sent from server to client so that the device can initiate a Quick Mail session. These options are set on the client and include how often notification should occur and attachment options. If you like this enhancement, keep in mind that Auto-messaging modules are sold as add-ons.

I decided to begin my testing with a connection using a USB cradle and work my way up to the wireless connections. I hot-synced the Palm m505, downloaded the latest Palm desktop software available from the Palm Website and installed the XTNDConnect client. When I tried to connect back to the XTNDConnect server, however, I received an error message that said it was unable to contact the Connect Proxy. Extended Systems' technical support told me they had been receiving calls from customers using the Palm 4.0.1 desktop and that this latest version of Palm desktop had some conflict with the way XTNDConnect handles communications using the USB. Representatives told me that they are talking to Palm and plan to have a solution to this problem soon. In order to continue my testing I used an older Palm desktop and encountered no problems.

Good News Easy to use; easy server installation. Client deployment wizard. Mail client for Palm-compatible devices. Attachment-capable. Bad News Error logs didn't offer enough detail. Battery information was not displayed correctly.

The client deployment wizard -- downloadable from the Extended Systems Web site -- guides the administrator in preconfiguring settings such as the server name and IP address, encryption key, user details and profile to be used by the end user. It then provides the administrator with a single executable file to be given to the users that will install the client software on the handheld device. I installed the software on the HP Jornada and Handspring Visor -- the client deployment wizard was a breeze. I confirmed that the installation went smoothly -- the settings I had pre-defined such as correct profile chosen and preferences for attachments were configured on the device. A lot of time can be saved this way, especially for corporations that have a big mobile workforce. Competitors Afaria and Synchrologic have had success with similar user-initiated installation options.

I was disappointed, however, in the error logging level offered by the product. Logs should provide the administrator with enough information to make the necessary adjustments to the system in order to achieve optimal performance. XTNDConnect server uses a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in to show the administrator session information -- which handhelds have made connections, for example -- as well as error information. Although I could see session ID, user information, connection/error time, error number and a small error description, the information provided by these logs didn't offer enough detail. In fact for some of my tests the logs were so vague as to not be helpful at all. The error report would read, "no error code could be obtained," and no further explanation would be offered. I gave Extended Systems technical support the error number and asked if they could tell me more, but they could not. Future versions XTNDConnect have to provide more information in the error logs in order to show a sincere attempt to place in the market. I also found the reporting lacking when something went wrong during synchronization -- the client only showed a message saying the session finalized with error.

Connections are monitored from the ConnectConsole in the XTNDConnect. Information provided here comprises operating system name and version, number and type of processor, client software version, device ID, screen characteristics, memory and battery information. In my tests, however, the battery information was not displayed correctly -- it showed a -1/-1 all of the time rather than a percentage. Extend plans to correct this in a future version.

Anyone interested in trying out XTNDConnect can download a free 30-day trial from the Extended Systems support Web site. It includes free technical support.

If you want to provide your users with an application that can keep the veritable cornucopia of mobile devices out there in sync with corporate information, this newest version of XTNDConnect offers a good solution.