SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UPDATING A REMOTE DATABASE IN A NETWORK

A system updates a remote (server) database in a network. The network comprises a global server coupled to a local client and to a remote client. The local client includes a browser for establishing a communications link with a web server on the global server. The global server has server database memory for storing independently modifiable copies of workspace data maintained by personal information managers (PIMS) or other data stores on the local client and has PIM Downloadables for interfacing with these PIMs. The local client requests synchronization capability for a particular PIM. The global server sends a PIM Downloadable corresponding to the particular PIM to the local client, which installs and initiates execution of the PIM Downloadable. Accordingly, a user interface receives information designating a database containing the workspace data to be synchronized and information selecting a synchronization mode such as one-way replace, one-way merge or two-way synchronize. A PIM interface instructs the particular PIM to retrieve the workspace data to be synchronized. A synchronization module determines update data based on the synchronization mode selected and possibly based on a comparison with the contents of the server database. A communications engine delivers the first update data to the global server, which updates the server database accordingly.