Configuring RoadSync on Android for Over-The-Air sync with ChaosHost

RoadSync is a popular alternative for using Exchange ActiveSync on Android devices. A trial version is offered so you can setup your device to sync and prove it works with ChaosHost before purchasing it.  Besides working in situations where the default and built-in Exchange client is having problems, RoadSync also includes the ability to sync Tasks with ChaosHost, a feature not found on most Android devices.

REQUIREMENTS: You must have a ChaosHost.com account (obviously).  You also need to install the RoadSync program from the Android marketplace.  (You do not need the paid key until later, after you have followed these instructions and proved that it works for you and your device.)

While not a requirement, it is also a VERY good idea to have a backup of your data files. Our Time & Chaos and Chaos Intellect programs offer this as a choice on the File menu. You should make a backup now if you have never done so, and making regular backups of your data is recommended!

This new account you will be creating on your Android will NOT impact other accounts you have already made to send and receive email. This new account for ChaosHost will only not be transferring any email, as ChaosHost does not track your email in the first place!

Please plug your phone into a power supply when doing your initial sync! It is only a suggestion, but the very first transfer will be sending enough data that most users will notice considerable battery drain.

  
1. Configure Time Zone Settings

To successfully transfer your appointment data with correct times, you need to select a default Time Zone for your database on ChaosHost.com.  You will also want choose the same time zone you use on your device to ensure that all the appointment start and end times come to your device as they should.  WARNING:  If you change the time zone on your device, it will change all of the start and end times on your appointments!  If you want the start times and end times to continue to match what you see on ChaosHost.com and in Time & Chaos/Chaos Intellect, the time zone on your phone must match!

• Login to your account on the ChaosHost.com website, then go to Options.
• Select "Change Over-The-Air Mobile Sync Preferences".
• On "Enable", choose True.
• Select a Timezone for your database.  Timezones are listed by Continent, so Canada, Mexico and the United States would all be considered America, for example.
• The other preferences are optional, but useful if you have extremely large databases. If you have more than 2000 contacts, consider synchronizing one group instead of all contacts. If you have more than 2000 future appointments, make the window for future appointments shorter by sending just the next few months of future appointments rather than the defaults.
• When complete, SAVE your settings on ChaosHost.

 
2. Run and configure the RoadSync program

• Launch the RoadSync program for the first time. You will likely register your device with the company that makes RoadSync, but eventually you will get to a section entitled "Connect to Exchange" where you are asked for an email address and password.
• DO NOT leave your normal email address in the email field. Instead, type in your login name for ChaosHost, followed by "@www.chaoshost.com" as if this were an actual email address.
• Enter your ChaosHost password, then click on "Next"
• RoadSync will have a popup message stating it is "Discovering Settings" while it sets up your account. When complete it should take you to a Preferences screen.
• Go to Server Settings and tap on "User name". You need to edit this to show ONLY your login name, not the entire fictitious email address we made up earlier. Server address should already say "www.chaoshost.com" which is correct. Tap the Back arrow button to return to the Preferences screen.
• Go to Data Sync Settings and uncheck E-mail. Change any other checkboxes there, if desired, then tap on the Back arrow to return to the Preferences screen.
• Go to Sync Schedule, then tap on "Peak schedule".  We recommend changing this to Manual, but any setting of 1 hour or more would also be acceptable, depending on your preference. This setting is important as it prevents unnecessary battery drain on your end and prevents unnecessary traffic on our servers!
• You are finished with the setup, so use the Back arrow button to return to the main RoadSync screen.

 
A few notes about RoadSync

RoadSync will place the Contacts in the normal contact application on your phone.  However, the Calendar data and Tasks data are stored in the RoadSync program itself. The downside of this location for the calendar data is that you won't find the calendar data from ChaosHost in the normal Android calendar application, nor will you be able to use it with alternative calendar programs that use the normal calendar database. You will only get to use RoadSync's own interface to work with your appointment schedule.

This help article applies to ChaosHost, a cloud database service for users of Chaos Intellect, Time & Chaos, and Chaos Free