System and method for updating a remote database in a network

A system, comprising:

• means for using a browser to receive identification of a downloadable from a computer network;
• means for initiating execution of the downloadable;
• means for receiving information designating workspace data to be synchronized and designating a synchronization mode;
• means for using the Downloadable to instruct a personal information manager (PIM) to retrieve the workspace data to be synchronized;
• means for using the Downloadable to determine first update data based on the workspace data to be synchronized and on the synchronization mode;
• and
• means for using the Downloadable to deliver the first update data to a server database connected to the computer network.

A computer-readable storage medium storing program code for causing a computer to perform the steps of:

• using a browser to receive identification of a downloadable from a computer network;
• initiating execution of the downloadable;
• receiving information designating workspace data to be synchronized and designating a synchronization mode;
• using the Downloadable to instruct a personal information manager (PIM) to retrieve the workspace data to be synchronized;
• using the Downloadable to determine first update data based on the workspace data to be synchronized and on the synchronization mode;
• and
• using the Downloadable to deliver the first update data to a server database connected to the computer network.

A system, comprising:

• a downloadable including
• a user interface for receiving information designating workspace data to be synchronized and designating a synchronization mode;
• a PIM interface for instructing a personal information manager (PIM) to retrieve the workspace data to be synchronized;
• a synchronization module coupled to the user interface and the PIM interface for determining first update data based on the workspace data to be synchronized and on the synchronization mode;
• and
• a communications engine coupled to the synchronization module for delivering the first update data to a server database;
• and
• a browser for receiving identification of the downloadable from a computer network, and for initiating execution of the downloadable.

Program code embodied in a carrier wave for controlling a computer to perform the steps of:

• receiving information designating workspace data to be synchronized and a synchronization mode;
• instructing a personal information manager (PIM) to retrieve the workspace data to be synchronized;
• determining first update data based on the workspace data to be synchronized and on the synchronization mode;
• and
• delivering the first update data to a server database.

A computer-based method, comprising the steps of:

• storing workspace data and a Downloadable;
• establishing a communications link with a client;
• receiving a request for synchronization capability from a client;
• forwarding the Downloadable which includes the synchronization capability to the client for installation;
• receiving update data from the Downloadable;
• and
• updating the workspace data based on the update data received.

A system, comprising:

• means storing workspace data and a Downloadable;
• means for establishing a communications link with a client;
• means for receiving a request for synchronization capability from the client;
• means for forwarding a Downloadable which includes the synchronization capability to the client for installation;
• means for receiving update data from the Downloadable;
• and
• means for updating the workspace data based on the update data received.

A system, comprising:

• memory storing workspace data and a PIM Downloadable;
• a web server for establishing a communications link with a client;
• a personal information manager (PIM) Downloadable retrieval engine coupled to the memory for receiving a request for synchronization capability from the client, and for forwarding the PIM Downloadable which includes the synchronization capability to the client for installation;
• and
• a user data store manager coupled to the memory for receiving update data from the Downloadable, and for updating the workspace data based on the update data received.

A computer-based method, comprising the steps of:

• establishing a communications link with a server storing workspace data;
• receiving identification of a PIM Downloadable;
• executing the PIM Downloadable to instruct a personal information manager (PIM) to retrieve PIM data;
• and
• executing the PIM Downloadable to update the workspace data stored on the server based on the retrieved PIM data.

A system, comprising:

• an installed PIM interface downloadable associated with the identification for instructing a PIM to retrieve PIM data;
• an installed synchronization module downloadable coupled to the PIM interface for determining update data based on the PIM data retrieved, and for forwarding the update data to the server to update the workspace data;
• and
• a browser for establishing a communications link with a server storing workspace data, for receiving identification of the PIM interface downloadable and the synchronization module downloadable, and for initiating execution of the downloadables.

A method, comprising the steps of:

• using a browser to receive identification of a downloadable from a computer network;
• initiating execution of the downloadable;
• receiving information designating workspace data to be synchronized and designating a synchronization mode;
• using the Downloadable to retrieve the workspace data to be synchronized;
• using the Downloadable to determine first update data based on the workspace data to be synchronized and on the synchronization mode;
• and
• using the Downloadable to deliver the first update data to a server database connected to the computer network.