Is there a way to have Exchange server sync (of Contacts, Tasks, and
Notes) between 3 home-based workers w/o an exchange server and VPN
hassles.

I have a virtual company.   Each of us (there are 3 of us) has both a
home computer, a laptop, and a Palm Pilot.  We each use our own
outlook for contacts, calendar, notes, and to-do’s.  We also each have
our own IMAP accts, and we share 2 common IMAP accounts.

We are all running Windows XP and Outlook XP (in the IMAP mode, but
with a PST file for contacts, to-dos, etc).

We have the Palm sync thing figured out.  We are using Desktop To Go,
and it is great.  It even has the ability to sync from Public folders
(if you have an exchange server).



The problem is………….

We need a way to sync the contacts, to-dos, notes, etc between each
other, and between out desktops and laptops.   We also need a way to
assign Tasks, and be able to track that Tasks progress (like people
who have exchange servers can do).

We obviously can't afford exchange server (for just 3 people), and all
the outsourced exchange server hosting companies we looked are
expensive ($10-25 per account, per month), and more problematic,
require setting up a VPN connection.   I want to avoid messing with
VPN.

We don’t need the email part, because the IMAP takes care of any Sync
issues with messages.

Or if there is replacement for Exchange server in a virtual company
environment that will sync our Outlooks, not require VPN, and not cost
too much.   If it had a web option, that would be good also, but
syncing contacts-notes-todos using Outlook XP is what is really
needed.

Thanks in advance

Synchronizing Outlook page at
http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/sync.htm
list a lot of options that suit your needs.

For example you can use
http://www.readysyncgo.com
as far as I can see it suits all your needs or choose another 
solution from the list.

I have already spent lots of time on slipstick.com.  The problem is
that the list there is huge, and doesn't offer much detail.  If anyone
has any personal experience with one of these solutions, I would love
to know.

sherpai-ja, have you looked at readysyncgo?

I don't have a personal experience, but I'll try to explain why I
recommened this service. As far as I can understand you are going to
share the business information. If you don't want to setup VPN
connection, your data either have to by encrypted other way, or there
will be a danger that anyone in network you three would be able to
eavesdrop your information.

The lightweight software solution is unlikely to include encrypted
data transfer, so the best solution would be the web service that
would be able to use SSL (secure socket level) connection. Among www
services listed readysyncgo meets your need better than others (btw,
it's not a web-only solution, it allows you to download outlook
plugin, and work directly from outlook).

I'll check out ReadySyncGo and write a comment back.  Thanks