Method and system for server synchronization with a computing device

A system, comprising:

• means for coupling a handheld device to a server, the server having a first database and the handheld device having a second database, the handheld device having an application to allow a user to access the second database;
• means for determining whether the application needs to be updated;
• means for causing the server to provide to the handheld device an application update if the application needs to be updated;
• means for causing the handheld device to record transactions performed on the second database by a user;
• means for causing the handheld device to provide to the server transaction information, the transaction information describing at least in part the recorded transactions;
• means for causing the server to perform a transaction on the first database as described in the transaction information;
• means for causing the server to extract data from the first database to be used to update the second database;
• and
• means for causing the server to provide to the handheld device at least a portion of the extracted data.

A system comprising:

• a server having a first database and a synchronization engine, wherein the synchronization engine includes:
• a metadata unit to provide update information for an application,
• a transaction processor to perform a transaction on the first database, and
• a data extractor to extract data from the first database;
• and
• a handheld device coupled to the server, the handheld device having a second database and a synchronization client, the application to provide a user interface to the second database, wherein the synchronization client includes:
• a metadata importer to receive the update information,
• a transaction recorder to record transaction information of transactions performed on the second database by a user, and
• a data importer to update data stored in the second database based on data extracted from the first database.

A system comprising:

• a server having a main database and a synchronization engine, wherein the synchronization engine includes:
• a metadata unit to provide update information for an application,
• a transaction processor to perform a transaction on the main database, and
• a data extractor to extract data from the main database;
• and
• a companion device couplable to the server, the companion device having a second database and a synchronization client, wherein the synchronization client includes:
• a metadata importer to receive the update information, and
• a data importer to update data stored in the second database based on data extracted from the first database;
• and
• a handheld device couplable to the companion device, the application residing in the handheld device to provide a user interface to the local database, wherein the handheld device further includes:
• a local database, and
• a transaction recorder to record transaction information of transactions performed on the local database by a user via the application.