Can you really synch incoming and outgoing mail?

[hedohome]

Have never asked this question but have always wanted this feature. I work
out of my home and right now use Outlook Express, but I do own Outlook
(2003). My main computer is running XP Pro and I receive about 200 emails a
day (real ones not spam) for my business so I am always communicating via
email. I want to purchase a smartphone or pda to help me do email away from
my main computer. I also use my laptop (running Vista home pro) . Since I
need to have once source where I can go back and see any of the emails I
received, their history and my replies I have kept all my email on this one
computer. I use pcanywhere or logmein to log into my main computer from my
laptop to manage email. Is there any product out there that would allow me
to sync email either from a PDA/Smartphone, my laptop or both? I guess it is
more critical at this point from a PDA/Smartphone as I have a "pcanywhere"
type(s) solution for my laptop. I have the ability to add other computers,
servers, software as needed if I can truly be able to sync email - where the
main computer and the other device would both understand which pop3 emails or
pushed emails have already been read and or replied to and would indicate
this on the sync. For example, I pop3 my mail to a treo or other pda, I
reply to this email from the PDA. I then sync my device to my main computer
and it imports the email and my replies and marks them as such.
Does something like this exist?
Thanks.... Jon

 

[hedohome]

One thing I should also mention - I already thought about using GMAIL but I
need actual folders not just "labels". Labels only work to show you
"conversations" with someone. In many cases, I may have multiple conversatons
with the same person but need to file them under different projects.

 

[Dan]

Hi.

This is a fairly normal task for many professionals. Most smart
phones (Treos, etc.) have this functionality built in and can be
easily setup by your IT professional or possibly your smart phone
support. When I set this up in the past, it was with an Exchange
server. I know this will work for POP3, but have never implemented it
personally. Your best bet would be to have your work/home PC and
laptop setup with POP3, and check the box in the Advanced tab to
"Leave a copy on the server". Once your phone is configured, it will
pull directly from the server as well as your other computers.
Thereafter, all replies, etc. will stay synchronized accross all of
your devices since the actual mail is kept on the server(s).

 

[hedohome]

Dan - when you pop3 and check off that the mail stay on the server it does
not then sync the replies you make. Also, when you pop3 on the other computer
there is no way to tell if the message has been read and or replied to
already from another device or computer that has already pop 3rd it. The
sent folder from each computer remains unique and unshared. I do no think
the sync includes the sent folders. If synched doesnt the contents of the
send device become the contents of both devices - there is no check of
current data and only addition of missing data...or am I wrong about that?
I hear that exchange server is a bear to work with and would like to avoid
that unless it absolutely does what I need. Again - does anyone know a way
to totally have idenitcal pop3 folders/files across multiple computers or at
least one computer and one PDA where the folders/files are synched to add
whatever replies and or emails that were sent from any of the sevices?

Jon