Achieve Planner

Personal Time Management Software

 

 

Achieve Planner Pocket Informant Sync Beta
This page contains information for the Achieve Planner / Pocket Informant Active Sync Beta Test for the 1.8 release.

Note that the Pocket Informant ActiveSync implementation is beta software that still contains bugs. Don't use this software unless you are comfortable with beta software.

Here's what you will need to participate in the beta:

1) You need to have Pocket Informant 2007 or later and a Windows Mobile 2005 compatible device. Please install Pocket Informant on the device before continuing.

2) If you participated in an earlier beta of the Achieve Planner Pocket Informant sync, you need to uninstall the Achieve Planner sync components from the PC and from the device.

If you did not participate in a previous beta, you can proceed to step 3.

2.1) Remove Achieve Planner sync from the mobile

Go to Programs -> Settings -> System (in your mobile device) and selecting the "Remove Programs" item... then select the Effexis Achieve Planner Sync from the list.

2.2) Remove the Achieve Planner sync from your PC.

Go to "c:\Program Files\Effexis Software\Achieve Planner Synchronization" folder... then double click on the uninst.exe item in this folder.

2.3) Clear the Pocket Informant Sync History

Press Ctrl+Shift+F6 from within Achieve Planner to display the Achieve Planner Active Sync dialog. Then click on the 'Clear Sync History...' button.

This will delete all the sync history between Achieve Planner and the Pocket PC.

3) ActiveSync Provider setup installer - Download and run the installer. This will install the ActiveSync provider components, and a .CAB file that needs to be installed on your mobile device (this should be done automatically next time you cradle the device)

NOTE for SmartPhone Users: Because of extra security restrictions in many modern smartphones, your smartphone may not allow you to install the Achieve Planner sync cab file into your smartphone unless you turn security OFF.

If you don't feel comfortable doing this, please wait until the official release.

4) You need to install and use the 1.8.1 release. This contains the latest changes for ActiveSync on the AP side.

Download it from here

5) After installing the ActiveSync setup, I strongly recommend that you backup your PocketPC state and your Achieve Planner data file so that you can safely test the Achieve Planner sync without messing up your existing tasks and other Pocket Informant information.

Check your device for a backup utility. Many devices implement their own backup/restore utility because Microsoft doesn't provide one with ActiveSync.

If your device doesn't have a backup/restore utility, there are commercial software utilities you can use, while none are free, some provide free trials which may be sufficient for this.

 

Running the Active Sync

To run the ActiveSync once everything is setup, please follow these steps:

1) Cradle your mobile device - This will invoke the ActiveSync and synchronize Pocket Informant projects/tasks with a temporary cache database on your PC.

If this is the first time you sync, you may need to activate the Achieve Planner ActiveSync provider using the (Tools->Options menu in the Microsoft ActiveSync window)

Make sure Achieve Planner is checked and Tasks is unchecked (having both AP and Tasks checked at the same time could lead to duplication and confusion with the desktop Outlook task database)

2) Wait for the ActiveSync to complete the full synchronization with the Achieve Planner Provider. When it's done, you should see the status as 'Synchronized'

NOTE: this step could take a while to complete depending on the number of tasks that need to be synced.

Leave the ActiveSync window open while completing the following steps...

3) If Achieve Planner is not already running, start it.

4) From within AP, hit Ctrl+Shift+F6 to launch the Achieve Planner ActiveSync dialog:

5) Make sure that the device is still cradled and that the ActiveSync window is still open.

6) Click on the Start button of the Achieve Planner Active Sync dialog. You should see the following reminder...

Click OK to continue with the active sync.

7) After the sync is completed, you should see a message in the AP sync window. Just press exit to close and restore the main AP window.

(If there is a communication timeout during the active sync, the dialog may appear to be frozen for up to 30-60 seconds as it attempts to re-establish communication).

8) That should have completed the sync between AP and the ActiveSync provider cache.

If there are AP projects & tasks that need to be propagated to the mobile device, you will see another ActiveSync synchronization (between ActiveSync and the PocketPC) take place to update the device with the new items.

NOTE: this step could also take a while to complete depending on the number of tasks being sent to the mobile. For example, with 1,000 tasks, the process could take up to 20 - 30 minutes.

By default, the ActiveSync provider will not propagate any completed AP projects & tasks to the device, only Active items are propagated. You can change this in the settings of the AP Active Sync provider from within Microsoft Active Sync.

Propagating PI deletions. By default, items deleted in PI are NOT deleted in AP, they are just marked so that they don't get resent to PI.

If you would like items deleted in PI to also be deleted in AP, you need to check the "Propagate PI Deletions" box in the AP ActiveSync dialog.

NOTE: This setting only blocks deletions in the PI to AP direction, deletions in the other direction (from AP to PI) are NOT blocked.

This means that if you revert to an old AP data file that does not contain items imported from PI into AP, ActiveSync will interpret this as the items having been deleted in AP, and will probably delete them in PI as well.

That's why I strongly recommend that you backup your PocketPC state before using the sync.

Achieve Planner ActiveSync Beta Forum. The beta forum for the ActiveSync feature is available here.

Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns, or problems with any of these steps, if the instructions are not clear, etc.

You can send me a private message via the forum, send an email to support [at] effexis.com, or post your message in the beta forum.

Doing a "fresh" sync between AP and PI. To do a "fresh" sync between AP and PI, click on the "Clear Sync History..." button before starting the sync.

This will allow you to delete all tasks in PI and do a "fresh" sync with AP.

Only use this if you know what you are doing. Otherwise, you may end up with duplicated items in PI and/or AP.

 

Thank you again for participating in the beta test! I appreciate your help.

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Works with Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003 Server, Windows Vista,
Windows 7, Windows 8

 

 

 

Customer
Feedback

“I was reading over the testimonials on your website and I have to agree with all of them. I have spent the last 10 years working really hard on my time management skills and using the Tony Robbins RPM system.

Honestly I have to say that by using the Achieve Planner system, it has helped me focus much more on my RPM process because I was not wasting the time I was before managing the system. I have gotten a very good process down now and my efficiency and effectiveness has skyrocketed.

Mike Suco
 

“I purchased AP for my business and it has been a huge help in tracking and getting things done. It is straightforward and easy to use. It makes getting projects done much easier and tops Outlook and other tools that are either featureless or too huge and complex.”

Ray Diaz
 



“This by far the most intelligent piece of time-management software I’ve come across and I’ve tried a few.”

Joe Kissoon
 



“I’ve been using it for almost a month, and I’ve found it to be very helpful in managing my dissertation project.”

Greg
 



“I’ve looked at several personal productivity / task management software packages over my 9 year career in IT... I have to say that Achieve Planner is hands down the best personal productivity app I’ve ever used!

It is quick to learn & awesome at unifying all of my life’s commitments while not skimping on the details if you should need them. I also love the ongoing time management tips & messages of encouragement which really help keep me focused and remind me WHY it is important to stay on-track! Thanks Effexis!”

Greg Pickrell
 



Wow! I’ve been waiting 20 years for this product!”

Fernando Chapa
 



“Your Achieve Planning software is the best I’ve used. Continue the great work!”

Dan Cross
 



“Achieve Planner is the first time-management software program that I have found that really allows me to organize myself in a way that is more consistent with my wholistic lifestyle.

Believe me I have checked out a few programs and have an entire shelf of books and videos in addition to all the workshops and seminars I have attended.

It has been an up hill battle for me as a very right brained, ADDer (Definition of ADDer: Someone who finds life so exciting and full of possibilities that they can’t help but keep adding more and more to their already fabulous life!)

For me the point of managing my time is to be able to live with minimal stress and have even more fun, pleasure and prosperity... and Achieve Planner helps me do that!”

Caroline Bell, PhD
 



“I have tried just about every piece of time and project management software on the Internet, as well as most of the goal setting software that’s out there too!

I have to say that Acheive Planner is _the best_ program I have ever used.”

Dean W. Charron
 



“Also, thanks for a brilliant product. I have tried several time management type applications prior to discovering "Achieve" and they all seemed to lack something.

After loading the achieve trial I purchased the product very quickly afterwards as I could see the potential. I’ve now been working with "Achieve" for three weeks and will certainly recommend it to others.

It does exactly what I need and gives me a method of managing the multiple projects that my daily work involves.”

Paul Ralph
Scotland UK
 



“Thanks for making such an awesome product. This is far superior to any I’ve used before!”

Stephanie Chapman
 



“I work from home, and use to have my work schedule, ideas, and notes, spread between two desks, on multiple pieces of paper or just held in my head.

Achieve Planner has changed all of that. This tool is incredible, and has helped me organise everything so that I now have a solid plan to work to.

I know exactly what I have to do each day, and I can promise you one thing. Planning for the weeks and months ahead has never been this fun! Keep up the great job!”

Andy Williams
 



“Thanks so much for making a great product. It’s really helping me get organized in my personal and professional life.”

Darren
 



“It’s a great software product and we both love to use it. We both tried to use Tony Robbins OPA/RPM system for years.

My husband managed to make some progress with it, but it was a little too complicated.

The Achieve Planner does everything that OPA should have done and it is perfectly integrated with Outlook. More people need to know about it”

Liz Blackham
 



“I’d like to say that I really enjoy working with AP planner.

You made it so ergonomic. We can reach easily and rapidly any task, contact or project.
The keyboard shortcuts are very useful and intuitives.

There’s a lot of possibility in this software (I didn’t use every one of them yet) and I can’t hardly wait for the next developpements.
Really, Bravo !”

Richard Lavoie
 



“Your Acheive Planner is a work of genius. I recently purchased the
productivity suite and am stunned by all that this program offers. It’s like having a 24/7 personal assistant and personal life coach all rolled into one.

I just want to thank you for the time, effort, and creativity you’ve put into developing this truly revolutionary product.
May you live long and prosper!”

Mercedes Goldcamp
 



“I am in love with Achieve Planner. It has made a significant difference in how I organize my time and I am accomplishing more than ever without that feeling of being overwhelmed. Thank you for developing it.”

Bev Dugar
 



“This is the very best planning system I have ever used. I manage a small business and run about 5 or 6 departments by myself.

Achieve Planner has made it possible to effectively track all of my tasks and projects in one system. Thank you. Keep up the great work.”

Jesse
 



“The tutorials are excellent - short and to-the-point. They clearly explain  the steps needed to achieve a task in Achieve Planner without a lot of extraneous commentary.

I was/am very impressed. There are a lot of garbage tutorials ’out there’. Yours are excellent & I have found them most useful.”

Michael
 



“I’m finding it quite helpful. I’ve just been using the basics for about 3 weeks now and already starting to feel like I have a better grip on my week.

It allows me to take a realistic look at the amount of time I have available and then plan my task time accordingly.

I’m finding fewer tasks are "slipping between the cracks", plus I’m not as frustrated by not trying to meet unrealistic expectations.

The integration with Outlook is also very handy in that I can easily assign Tasks to staffers.”

Mark Herman
 



“Btw, I am IMMENSELY pleased with the Achieve Planner. I am a software engineer myself, and appreciate the detailed attention to the finish the careful engineering that has gone into the features of the software. Very well done!”

Arthur Vanderbilt
 



“I have been using this tool for about a month - I have tested many,
many, software tools for project & task planning before and have NEVER found anything that has immediately and positively impacted the way I work.

This is a GREAT tool and I only wish I’d found it years ago.

Thank you!”

Paul Sheard



“You have a very good program and its the best I have seen. Thanks for the help and I look forward to using it daily.”

Paul R.


“I sent you an email earlier on Procrastination and the wins I had from that course. I just thought the wins were big until I started applying the technology of your Time Management course.

Just after the first week of using Time Charts and Project Blocks my production has soared mainly due to NOT multi-tasking and doing what I'm doing while I'm doing it.

I have benefited greatly from using your technology and your software program, Achieve Planner.”

James Owens

 

 

 
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