FirstClass sync w/ Droid (Verizon)

**jhypes** · 11-10-2009, 03:37 PM

It's time to look at upgrading my phone and since Verizon no longer offers a Palm Treo I'm needing to look for something else that will let me sync my FirstClass calendar and contacts with my phone. I'm told by my rep @ Aptiris that any phone w/ ActiveSync services built-in will do this as long as I can turn off SSL. I don't know what this means... is this doable on a Droid? How involved is it?

(FYI - FirstClass is the name of the communications/intranet package our school district is using. More info at: firstclass dot com or aptiris dot com

Thanks in advance!

**Cory Streater** · 11-10-2009, 04:02 PM

If you can't do it natively, you should be able to do it with . I know there's an option to specify ActiveSync as a protocol.

**gill-dcs** · 01-13-2010, 07:44 AM

Has anyone tried to use Touchdown yet with first class. I still have not been able to make it sync.
Thanks in advance.

**swagner** · 01-13-2010, 08:30 AM

Touchdown works well with Firstclass for calendar and contacts. I currently have 2 Hero's connected to FC and all is smooth. You must have FirstClass Sync services running and you must know the address of the server. Although touchdown is also capable of email, email will not sync with FC and you should use a separate IMAP email client.

**Zorro1** · 01-13-2010, 01:24 PM

Have you tried CompanionLink yet?

**swagner** · 01-14-2010, 06:38 AM

Companionlink with wireless capabilities in $99. Touchdown is $20. FirstClass is a VERY propritary format, although it supports activesync for calendar and contacts.

Touchdown syncs well with calendar and contacts in FirstcClass. I use K-9 Mail for IMAP mail between the server and my phone, as it is the only one I have found that can correctly see my mail folders in FirstClass.

**Vitabis** · 01-25-2010, 09:28 AM

Hey, I just got an HTC hero.
At work we use FirstClass mail too, but I can't get it synchronized with it.
We're running FC sync services. I don't have any problems with synchronizing Windows Mobile devices, but can't get it to work with Android.

I already installed NitroDesk touchdown.

Can u tell me what settings I should use? Because I'm totally new with Android.

Thanks a lot!

**Cory Streater** · 01-25-2010, 09:45 AM

Try these settings in Touchdown:

Connection Mode: ActiveSync Only
Login ID: <your username>
Password:: <your password>
Server Name: <mail server name>
Uses SSL: Unhchecked
Fetch & Trust Cert: Unchecked

**Vitabis** · 01-26-2010, 06:28 AM

I had these settings, but I can't seem to get it connected.
I connected it with a USB cable (wireless doesn't work, right?), but what do I have to do then?
I installed Activesync, but it doesn't do anything.

/edit: I just checked my FC Sync Services on our mailserver and it recognizes the device when I try to synchronize, but then it disconnects.
This is what it says on our server:

http :// www .freeimagehosting.net/ image.php?0dc61020aa. jpg (can't insert full links yet due to my low post amount

) (possible that you have to insert a space after the link)

**Cory Streater** · 01-26-2010, 06:44 AM

ActiveSync desktop is for Windows Mobile phones. You don't use that with an Android device. No, you do not need to plug in via the computer and yes syncing is over the wireless network. The ActivSync protocol is used as a means to communicate to the FC server and is what needs to be configured inside Touchdown. If you still can't get it to work, I would confirm the above settings with your admin. Maybe your login id needs a domain prefix. For example mycompany\username.

**Vitabis** · 01-26-2010, 06:49 AM

Originally Posted by Cory Streater

ActiveSync desktop is for Windows Mobile phones. You don't use that with an Android device. No, you do not need to plug in via the computer and yes syncing is over the wireless network. The ActivSync protocol is used as a means to communicate to the FC server and is what needs to be configured inside Touchdown. If you still can't get it to work, I would confirm the above settings with your admin. Maybe your login id needs a domain prefix. For example mycompany\username.

thanks, I understand better now

Can you check my edit in my previous post please?
The login and server, etc are the same I use on Windows mobile devices.

**Vitabis** · 01-26-2010, 06:57 AM

This is what it say's now on our mailserver:

2010/01/26 13:52:09 [S 515355575656485051555155514850] ActiveSync engine initialized
2010/01/26 13:52:09 [S 515355575656485051555155514850] ActiveSync protocol version 2.5
2010/01/26 13:52:10 [S 515355575656485051555155514850] User xxxxxxxxx logged in.
2010/01/26 13:52:10 [S 515355575656485051555155514850] [Server] Found device [2] Android
2010/01/26 13:52:11 [C 1179529728] Transport status: HTTP client ended connection

**Cory Streater** · 01-26-2010, 07:05 AM

Maybe Swagner can pipe in because I'm not sure how to interpret that error. Do you have First Class Sync services running? I'm assuming that's a server side component.

**Vitabis** · 01-26-2010, 07:10 AM

oh lol, I didn't check any folders it should sync.
I just found the setting where I can choose them.
Now it's synchronizing.
Thanks for the help!

yes, FC sync is server-side
It looks like it's working!

**Cory Streater** · 01-26-2010, 08:00 AM

Awesome news!

**Vitabis** · 02-03-2010, 02:44 AM

I still have a problem with the calendar in Touchdown.

It first deletes the entire calendar and then synchronizes again.
It works the first time, but the second time he just gets an empty calendar on his HTC. In FirstClass everything is normal.
When I restart FC sync, it synchronizes again.

Did you have that problem too Swagner?

+ it takes very long to synchronize when it deletes everything first.

**deReen** · 02-03-2010, 07:40 AM

Hey There,

seems to work on my HTC Magic.

But there are still some Questions...

When i make any changes to Calendar entries the changes are not effektive to the FCC-Server.
So when i sync again the changes are lost.
But i can create new entries without problems...

Is there any one who fixed this problem?

**Vitabis** · 02-03-2010, 08:16 AM

Have you looked in FirstClass Edit --> Preferences --> Handheld Devices --> Conflict resolution policy?
Maybe it is set wrong.

**swagner** · 02-03-2010, 08:37 AM

At first, it acts a bit funny--- after the first sync, leave it for a few hours-- don't force a refresh. It settles itself down. I have had 0 problems with touchdown. K-9 mail on the other hand has been giving me issues as i am only seeing mail from a week ago! Gotta love firstclass!

**deReen** · 02-03-2010, 08:44 AM

Mhh seems like this was the problem.

Many thanks!

**Vitabis** · 02-03-2010, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by swagner

At first, it acts a bit funny--- after the first sync, leave it for a few hours-- don't force a refresh. It settles itself down. I have had 0 problems with touchdown. K-9 mail on the other hand has been giving me issues as i am only seeing mail from a week ago! Gotta love firstclass!

can you say that to my boss?

**Vitabis** · 02-05-2010, 03:16 AM

is it possible to configure Touchdown to not empty the calendar first, but only add the changed and new items?

**rsmith** · 03-18-2010, 01:01 PM

I have a MTG3 and our district uses First Class. In trying to get my calendar on my phone I came across your post. I bought Touchdown and got it to Active Sync enabled on the phone, but so far have been unable to get the calendar to migrate over to the phone. Do you have any insights? I went into preferences and fiddled with the handheld devices and the android appears to be there.

**Knottyc** · 04-26-2010, 10:10 PM

Soooo do you think I am going to have an issue accessing my mail on the newest Droid? The School District I work for uses FC Mail Client and I noticed the many posts about viewing but I am not sure if I understand if anyone was able to do so. I am anxiously awaiting the in-store release for the Incredible this Thursday.

Thanks for any info. you might send my way.

**swagner** · 04-27-2010, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by Knottyc

Soooo do you think I am going to have an issue accessing my mail on the newest Droid? The School District I work for uses FC Mail Client and I noticed the many posts about viewing but I am not sure if I understand if anyone was able to do so. I am anxiously awaiting the in-store release for the Incredible this Thursday.

Thanks for any info. you might send my way.

Mail in FirstClass depends on how your administrator has set up the Firstclass server. I use IMAP for mail. Mail in FirstClass is NOT through activesync. It can do IMAP or POP depending on the server settings. Touchdown will not handle the mail, just calendar and contacts from FirstClass.

In order to do calendar and contacts, the FirstClass server must have FCSS (First Class Sync Services) running. This is the activesync server. it may have a different address than the mail server.