MRSware has two services that when combined and used in Outlook allow Users to take a good portion of their information offline (work with it when no Internet connection is present) and then synchronize any changes made back to MRSware the next time an Internet connection is available.

The two services are IMAP (for synchronizing email) and Funambol/MRSware Sync (for synchronizing contacts, calendars, and tasks).  Below is an overview of the instructions to set up Outlook, with the links to the more specific instructions for each section.

A. Email in Outlook

Set up a new Account in Outlook that is your MRSware IMAP Mailbox.
IMAP Settings for MRSware EMail


B. Contact, Calendar, and Task synchronization with Outlook
  1. Create your MRSware Mobile accounts in System Administration.
  MRSware Mobile Administrator Setup for service


  2. Assign Companies and Contacts to your MRSware Mobile Category.
  MRSware Mobile User Setup for synchronization


  3. Set up Outlook with the Funambol plug-in to synchronize with MRSware.
​  Outlook Funambol plug-in installation for MRSware Mobile

In my previous post I talked about how our behavior is affected by the introduction of a stimulus (ringing  or vibrating of a cell phone or mobile device) bringing about a conditioned reflex (immediately answering the call or reading & replying to the message).   

In this post I want to offer some suggestions, for in-the-field reps, on how to manage the beast (remember Pavlov’s dogs) – our conditioned reflex – in all of us. 

First – the dilemma.  I was a manufacturers’ representative for 25 years and as such know when you’re in sales it is difficult not to automatically respond to a ringing or vibrating phone.  It could be a customer, prospect, end user, designer, or contractor looking for information on one of your products.  Who doesn’t want to be known for responding quickly to one of these opportunities?  The tricky part is managing the desire to respond quickly with the ability to be efficient and productive throughout the day.

Now that we all agree managing this conditioned reflex can create a challenge, let’s look at some suggestions that may help in the field reps to be efficient and productive, as well as responsive to customer’s, prospect’s, end user’s… needs.

Are you managing your technology tools or are they managing you?

You probably remember from your school days reading about Pavlov's dogs.  Pavlov ran experiments showing that introducing a certain stimulus to dogs could bring about a certain behavior in expectation of a reward (food in their case).  What he did was ring a bell (among other stimuli) and then measured the amount of saliva the dogs produced thinking about the food they were going to receive after the ringing of the bell.

The upshot was he showed introducing a stimulus brought about a conditioned reflex that affected behavior.

Now, fast forward 120 years - today's version of this experiment -

The stimulus - the ringing or vibrating of a cell phone (mobile device)

The conditioned reflex - answering the phone or reading the e-mail or text message (no matter what we are doing, who we are with)

The behavior - a slave to our cell phones (technology tool) 

Now ask yourself the first question - are you managing your technology tools or are they managing you?

My next post will go over some suggestions on "How to Manage Your Technology Tools".