Abstract: When a current synchronization between a first device and a second device is commenced, a last anchor for the current synchronization to an initialization time of a previous synchronization between the first device and the second device, and a next anchor for the current synchronization is set to an initialization time of the current synchronization. Then, a set of data elements to be synchronized during the current synchronization is determined. Typically, the set includes only those data elements that have been modified after the last anchor and up to (e.g., before or equal to) the next anchor. When the set of modified data elements is received on the second device from the first device, a device modified timestamp (DMT) for the set of data elements on the second device is set to the next anchor instead of to the current time at which the data elements are received.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for optimizing a SyncML slow sync between a proprietary client and server. When a slow sync is detected, the client and server can depart from the normal SyncML protocol and process summary data without having to compare all items on a field-by-field basis.