Microsoft's MSN service will use Synchronization vendor Pumatech's Intellisync software to provide a synchronization solution for the MSN Calendar and Address Book on its MSN 8 Internet service. Pumatech said Intellisync for MSN enables synchronization of appointments, contacts, tasks and notes between users' MSN accounts and Outlook, Pocket PC handhelds, and Palm Desktop software.

According to Microsfot, synchronization features were on the top of the list for MSN subscribers. "Intellisync for MSN provides MSN 8 subscribers with a way to enter their information in a single location and have access to it from a broad set of devices," said Rick Holzli, general manager for MSN at Microsoft Corp. "This was one of the top requests for MSN Calendar from our customers and we're excited to provide our MSN 8 subscribers with a better way to manage information by working with Pumatech…”

Pumatech said users of Intellisync for MSN can choose between two-way or one-way synchronization (either to or from their MSN account), depending on how they want to access their information. Intellisync for MSN synchronizes MSN appointments, contacts, tasks and notes with Microsoft Outlook versions 97, 98, 2000, and XP (2002), and Palm Desktop versions 3.1, 4.0.1 and 4.1. Users may also synchronize their MSN appointments, contacts and tasks with Windows CE-based handheld devices running Windows CE version 2.0 and higher.

Upon synchronization, the companies said users could view their address book contacts through Hotmail Contacts, MSN Calendar on the Web and in the MSN 8 Calendar and Address Book available through the new MSN 8 client software.