# SDS - Programming Overview

SDS is enabled by default in the System Options form of system. On a system where the SDS feature is disabled, the SDS-related forms (SDS Distribution Errors, SDS Form Comparison, and SDS Form Sharing) do not appear in the list of forms that the System Administrator can access.

To use SDS to synchronize system data across a network or cluster of elements, you must

1. Define the administrative groups.

2. Assign administrator privileges.

3. Specify which forms will share data and set the scope of the sharing.

4. Start data sharing and synchronize the element data.

5. Check for data distribution errors.

6. Resolve any pending updates or errors.

7. Perform backups.

If System Data Synchronization has already been set up on your network, refer to operation and maintenance for information on how to maintain data synchronization and perform maintenance tasks.

CAUTION: Because of the nature of SDS, an administrator can indirectly modify data in a remote MiVoice Business system without having administration rights programmed on that system.