---
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.
component: pingoneaic
page_id: pingoneaic:idm-synchronization:sync-overview
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingoneaic/idm-synchronization/sync-overview.html
keywords: ["Synchronization", "Types"]
---

# 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 DS, Active Directory, a CSV file, a JDBC database, and so on.

IDM connects to external resources through [*connectors*](https://docs.pingidentity.com/openicf/index.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.