10 Sync Tools every Office Worker Should Know About

Want to have identical browser settings on every one of your PCs ? How about keeping documents on your office and home PCs synchronized? For these and several other ways to sync your data read further. Enjoy!

1. Google Browser Sync – Sync Browser Bookmarks, History, Settings, etc. between diff. PCs

    Google Browser Sync - Synchronize Bookmarks, browsing history, settings across multiple browsers

    Google Browser Sync is a Firefox extension from Google that can auto synchronize your browser bookmarks, history, persistent cookies, and saved passwords ““ across multiple computers. It even lets you restore open browser tabs and windows across different machines so you can always pickup from where you left. It’s completely automated, all you need to do is to install it on all computers that you use on a regular basis.

2. SyncToy – Synchronize Files Between PC and USB Thumbdrive

    SyncToy - Synchronize Files Between PC and USB Thumbdrive

    USB drives are great for backups. Want to automate backup to USB process and make sure that files always remain fresh? SyncToy is simple Windows program from Microsoft that provides an easy way to sync files between the hardrive and USB Flash Drive. Check out our step by step guide to sync files between PC and USB thumb drive here.

3. DocSyncer – Sync ‘My Documents’ Office Files with Google Docs

    SyncToy - Synchronize Files Between PC and USB Thumbdrive

    Are you a Google Docs user? If yes, then make sure to give DocSyncer a try. This web/desktop application allows you to automatically synchronize Microsft Office files in ‘My Documents’ folder with your Google Docs account.

    Why would you want to use it?

    Not only it does it enable you to edit your Office docs (on all of your PCs) through Google Docs, but it also lets you keep documents that are stored on multiple PCs (work, home etc.) always synchornized with the latest version.

4. FolderShare – Synchronize Files Across Multiple Computers and Mobile Devices.

    FolderShare - Synchronize files between multile PCs and mobile devices

    Another free utility from Microsoft. This one lets you synchronize different folders between multiple computers. There are also remote access and file sharing features. Windows only.

5. IM History – Sync chat conversations from multiple IM clients to Web

    IM-History is a pretty cool desktop application that stores and syncs IM conversations from multiple instant messengers in one place. Whether you’re on Skype, MSN, AIM, ICQ, at work or at home, you can have all chat conversations securely stored online. Access and search them anytime from anywhere. Read more.

6. Nutsie – Sync your iTunes Music Library to Web and Access it from Mobile

    Sync your Musci Library to Web and Access it from Mobile / PC

    Nutsie brings your iTunes library to your mobile phone. It creates an identical online version of your iTunes library and makes it accessible from your mobile phone or some other computer. The only problem with it is that it may take upto 2 days to generate your library.

7. ShiftD – Sync Notes, Links and Places between Multiple Devices

    Sync Notes, Links and Places between Multiple Devices

    ShifD is a newly launched service from NY Times. It’s a one of a kind service that can be used to synchronize stuff like notes, web links and addresses (map locations) between multiple devices (mobile, Blackberry, PC, Mac etc.). For instance, if you post a note from one of the devices it will appear on all other synced devices as well. It can be used from the website, desktop client or mobile phone.

8. Mobical – Backup Mobile Contacts, Address Book, Calendar, Bookmarks and Settings

    Backup Mobile Contacts, Address Book and Calendar

    Simple and straightforward over-the-air mobile backup and restore service to automatically backup your mobile phone. Mobical creates an online copy of your mobile contents. You can edit contacts, add appointments, and save notes online and it will sync changes with your handset. Similarly, all edits you make on the phone will be synced with the web copy. Simple and convenient.

9. OggSync -Sync Windows Mobile Phone and Outlook with Google Calendar

    Sync Windows Mobile Phone with Outlook and Google Calendar

    Oggsync is a two-way sync between Outlook (or Microsoft Exchange) and Google Calendar(s). That is to say, you can view Google Calendar entries in Outlook and vice versa. For a two-way sync between Gcal and default calendar on your mobile phone see GCalSync.

10. Mozy – Backup Files to Web

    Unlike anything above, Mozy is backup tool. It’s a simple, quick, and highly automated program that lets you securely backup important files online. Install it, specify which files you want it to backup, and let it do the work. No need to worry about keeping backup files up-to-date, Mozy keeps them synchronized. See demo video here.

As always, in case we missed any good sync tool please let us know in comments.


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Aibek Esengulov

The guy behind MakeUseOf.com. Follow him and MakeUseOf on Twitter @MakeUseOf. For more details check out MakeUseOf about page.

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Hide 19 Comments

  • knife geek March 3, 2008
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    I don’t even know where to start. Nice list. I feel like I’ve been missing out all this time. The only thing I ever share between machines is my google bookmarks (using the toolbar).

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  • Narayanan Hariharan March 3, 2008
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    One good sync tool u’ve forgotten to add is ZYB (www.zyb.com). I’ve been using this service for more than 2 yrs now and it hasn’t failed me even once. Syncing the mobile happens in a jiffy. Its a must try for all mobile users.

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  • Shawn March 3, 2008
    0 likes

    Aibek, nice article! There’s a couple of items there I wasn’t familiar with that I’m definitely going to check out.

    I did a couple write-ups telling people how to set up Google Browser Sync and Mozy on my blog so if anyone has any questions, hop on over to http://www.shawnw.org and get to readin’! :)

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  • Lukas Labryszewski March 3, 2008
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    Helpful List – you got my delicious bookmark :)

    Another great sync tool that we use is SyncBackSE – Allows us to automate backups of important documents from 5 computers onto one central drive. We purchased our copy but I believe they have a freeware version as well. Also allows to backup to FTP which is nice if you need that.

    We then use Mozy to backup the central drive for additional protection.

    Also, don’t forget Hamachi which is great for sharing your folders across multiple computers (setting up a private network over the internet) – which then you may also use to backup and sync files to your computers which I do for syncing my Roboform Data from my office computer and home computer. Roboform is a gem which I couldn’t live without… It allows me to keep all my passwords in one place, and currently I have about 400 passwords!

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  • Praveen March 3, 2008
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    Great List, thanks. I hope ill use one of these in the near future.

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  • J T March 3, 2008
    0 likes

    Of course rsync is the simplest answer

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  • Lydgate March 3, 2008
    0 likes

    Too Windows-centric.

    For me, there are just two words: rsync, and git :)

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  • Andrew March 3, 2008
    0 likes

    You can also use simkl.com to sync your chat history from AIM, iChat, Pidgim, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, Miranda, Adium messengers.

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  • PR March 3, 2008
    0 likes

    FYI FolderShare works on Macs too.

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  • Bob Wise March 4, 2008
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    Very nice article! I work for Melodeo on the nuTsie product – thanks for the mention. Normally we manage to upload/process your iTunes library in under an hour. We’ve occasionally had times when it went as long as a couple of days for a small number of users – very sorry you were one of those!

    Sincerely,

    Bob Wise
    VP Engineering
    Melodeo, Inc.

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    • Aibek March 16, 2008
      0 likes

      Thanks for dropping by.

      Despite it taking that long, I still consider Nutsie the best music tool for mobile devices and recommend it to pretty much everyone. :-)

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  • Arnaud March 4, 2008
    0 likes

    Definitely missing xdrive here (5Go of free space)
    If you use Xdrive on Adobe Air it is even better!
    Enjoy and share!

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  • Armando Martires October 16, 2008
    0 likes

    Excelent list! I think you could add dropbox(getdropbox.com) to it, it’s an excellent file sync tool, cross-platform, with share and version tracking.

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  • Thien Rong October 27, 2008
    0 likes

    I think you can add http://www.hibernater

    It is a window program that stores your data online in a central server,
    - histories of Internet Explorer and Firefox
    - favorites you choose to save
    - Does not need installation
    - hibernate/store your current files (Current supported apps : MS office, IE tabs, firefox tabs)
    - resume/load next time on any other PC the files hibernated/stored previously
    - auto-login your MSN Messager

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  • Davis November 18, 2008
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    Thanks Thien Rong, tried hibernater and it is working great, now i don’t have to upload my files to my email everytime

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  • Piano Transport March 18, 2009
    0 likes

    Nice list. As for online backup I have switched from Mozy, to Memopal memopal.com/ because it gives 150 Gb for up to ten computers I think (I’m using only 3. It has an iphone version and you can send a link to any file.

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  • Jean Claude August 28, 2009
    0 likes

    You can add aDrive to the list. It has a free version for personal use with a 50gb online limit. I use it and find it works quite well.

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  • Drupal Masster November 17, 2009
    0 likes

    Hello!

    Dont forget this two nice google features:
    1.) m.google.com/sync – sync between mobile and google apps
    2.) http://www.google.com/support/calendar/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=89955 – sync your calendar with outlook and google – so @ all time your calendar is up to date

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  • Utals January 27, 2010
    0 likes

    Shocker! Why should anybody put office documents on the internet into hands of foreign corporations? Who the hell owns them?

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