The SyncML Initiative was founded by IBM, Lotus, Motorola, Nokia, Palm, Psion, and Starfish Software to create a framework for synchronizing data between any device, regardless of platform or network. Since its inception in 1999, it continues to generate worldwide momentum, attracting close to 700 members.

Within a year of releasing its synchronization specification, commercial products were being shipped around the world. The Initiative has now turned its attention to device management, which it sees as a looming problem. As technology advances, networked devices are becoming more and more complex. However, operators and corporate IT departments are lacking the tools to remotely manage and configure these devices efficiently and effectively on behalf of end-users.

To address the problem, the SyncML Initiative has established a device management technology committee that is responsible for the development of a common device management protocol. The SyncML device protocol will be an open, universal industry standard for remote device management of networked devices.

"Our open-standard device management specification, when released early in the first quarter of 2002 will drive the development of device management technologies that will empower organizations worldwide to fully maximize their investments in mobile devices, and significantly drive down the costs associated with management of connected devices, such as mobile phone handsets, " said James S. Jennings, Ph.D., chairman of the SyncML device management committee.

The SyncML Initiative has posted a SyncML Device Management white paper on its Web site for immediate download at http://www.syncml.org/downloads.html