Two-Way Calendar Sync
Multi-Way Sync & Merge Calendar Data Across Microsoft 365, Exchange, iCal & Google Calendars
What is a two-way Calendar Sync?
A two-way Calendar sync or bi-directional calendar sync is the process of syncing Calendars between two or more sources so that the data stays consistent. In a two-way calendar sync, whenever a new event or appointment is created in one source, the information is instantly or periodically updated to all other sources. Additionally, a two-way Calendar sync prevents duplicate records from being created in each source by mapping common fields and preventing recursive loops from executing.
Why perform a two-way Calendar sync?
There are several reasons why your organization may need to sync calendars from multiple sources or tenants. For example, collaborating organizations, such as a partnership, joint venture, or any sort of joint marketing campaign may need to share events or appointments within the same or multiple tenants to ensure that tasks are executed on time. Synchronized Calendars also allow employees to promptly respond to event or appointment changes, thus improving their productivity.
As organizations grow and expand, collaboration between teams tends to become complex. For many managers, time management and keeping employees organized becomes more challenging. Synchronized calendars across departments can address time bottlenecks and maintain commitments throughout the year. Multi-national organizations or those operating out of locations across multiple time zones also benefit from having a 2-way Calendar sync solution. Similarly, organizations with a limited number of staff handling daily administrative or planning tasks can also benefit from Calendar sync automation.
A two-way sync solution avoids the arduous and repetitive task of manually adding calendar events which can be a time sink and affect productivity. Syncing Calendars allows employees from multiple departments to collaborate in real-time, unifies project timelines and ensures timely completion of deliverables.
Why CiraHub?
Thanks to the simplicity and ease of using Microsoft 365 Cloud tools, many organizations are now embracing them to share Calendars securely. Since Microsoft’s Outlook client doesn’t automatically sync Calendars from multiple sources, most organizations will need a third-party bi-directional sync solution.
CiraHub is an excellent two-way sync platform for shared contacts and calendars suitable for Microsoft 365, Exchange Server, and Microsoft Enterprise Applications users. CiraHub can sync both contacts and calendars. It makes it easy for anyone to set up a shared contact and calendar sync for their company.
To sync calendars with CiraHub, a user needs to log into the CiraHub dashboard and attach two or more Calendar spokes from multiple sources to a central Hub, toggle the two-way sync option in CiraHub’s spoke settings, and click “Sync Now” to allow bi-directional sync every few hours between the spokes and the hub. Users can add as many Calendar spokes as needed or detach spokes to delete all data related to the detached spoke.
What type of Calendar sources can CiraHub 2-way sync?
CiraHub allows calendars to be two-way synced or merged from a variety of sources in many different combinations and between various tenants. You can sync all your calendar events and appointments between the following sources:
Microsoft 365 and Exchange Mailboxes:
CiraHub lets users sync multiple mailboxes within an organization’s tenant or in a separate tenant seamlessly, the ideal solution for collaboration between teams.
iCal:
iCal or iCalendar is a popular format for storing Calendar information. It allows users to export Calendar information such as events, appointments, and public holidays via files with the .ical, .ics, .ifb, or .icalendar extension. Users can use CiraHub to sync data between iCal sources and other source types in the same or separate tenants. Note, however, that iCal is a read-only sync configuration on CiraHub, that is, Calendar information can be synced one-way to a Hub.
Microsoft 365 and Exchange Public Folders:
In many organizations, public folders are utilized for organizing and sharing information within work groups or departments so that it is easy for every employee to access. However, when organizations need to work together, information may be difficult to access, and manual sharing can be repetitive and time-consuming. A 2-way Public Folder Calendar Sync is the ideal solution for enhancing corporate productivity.
Google Calendars:
A ubiquitous tool in a wide range of organizations, Google Calendar lets employees stay organized and on top of their activities every day. It offers integration with messaging and videoconferencing apps and allows users to schedule or attend meetings on the go. CiraHub allows multiple users to sync their Calendars for easier team collaboration, tremendously boosting users’ productivity.
Watch the video
How to Set Up the First Hub & Spoke with CiraHub
This is a short explanatory video showing a step-by-step example of how to set up a Hub & Connect a Spoke, along with a step-by-step practical demonstration.