---
title: Synchronization overview
description: Synchronization keeps data consistent across disparate resources. Within IDM, we refer to two resource types—_managed resources_ (stored in the IDM repository) and external resources. An external resource can be any system that holds identity data, such as ForgeRock Directory Services (DS), Active Directory, a CSV file, a JDBC database, and so on.
component: pingidm
version: 7.2
page_id: pingidm:synchronization-guide:sync-overview
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingidm/8.1/synchronization-guide/sync-overview.html
llms_txt: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingidm/llms.txt
docs_for_agents: https://developer.pingidentity.com/build-with-ai/docs-for-agents.md
superseded_by: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingidm/8.1/synchronization-guide/sync-overview.html
---

# Synchronization overview

*Synchronization* keeps data consistent across disparate resources. Within IDM, we refer to two resource types—\_managed resources\_ (stored in the IDM repository) and *external resources*. An external resource can be any system that holds identity data, such as ForgeRock Directory Services (DS), Active Directory, a CSV file, a JDBC database, and so on.

IDM connects to external resources through [*connectors*](../connector-reference/preface.html). Synchronization across resources happens when managed resources change, or when IDM discovers a change on a system resource. There are various [synchronization mechanisms](sync-types.html) that ensure data consistency.