Kies is Key PC software with Intuitive, Easy and Simple usability (KIES). On a PC, it is sync software put out by Samsung that will sync Outlook calendar, contacts, tasks and notes with their Android phones. On a Mac, it will only sync Outlook calendar and contacts with the special instructions listed below. The sync only takes place through a connected USB cable, which is the most secure method of syncing. There is no direct support for Kies available, but Samsung customers may use the general support options available at the Samsung website to contact someone for help.
There is no user's manual available for Kies, but there is an FAQ section at their website and help somewhat buried within the Kies program to describe the sync process and options available. On the USA Kies site found at the link at the bottom of this page, the shrouded FAQ may be located by clicking on the link labeled "Get Support for Kies 2.0". If their website changes and you cannot find the FAQ there, please let me know.
Syncing Outlook notes is not always guaranteed. Outlook notes are synced with the Samsung provided Memo app on the Samsung Android. Some Samsung Androids do not have a Memo app, so notes cannot be synced with Kies. Some Samsung Androids, like the Galaxy S3 have a drawing based Memo app, so the text notes from Outlook cannot be synced. Finally, some Samsung Androids like the Ace have a text based Memo app provided and Kies will sync Outlook notes with it. I have yet to find where any Memo app may be downloaded from Samsung for those who do not have it on their Android.
Syncing Outlook tasks is also not guaranteed and when they do sync, they are placed in the calendar. For instance, on the Galaxy S3, tasks are synced into the calendar and when the calendar is displayed in list mode, you can see the calendar events for the day as well as the tasks. On the other hand, on a Samsung Ace, you cannot sync Outlook tasks.
It is difficult to firmly say which Samsung Androids in which countries are supported by Kies. Not all countries are supported by Samsung Kies. Further, not all Androids within those countries are supported by Kies. The different Kies websites for each country will list which Samsung Androids are supported by Kies. However, I have found that many devices not listed are also supported. If you have the time to spend, my best suggestion is to give Kies a try. If it does not work, you can always try something else.
There are a couple more things to consider. There is no automatic sync, so you can't just set it and forget it. If you want changes synced, you have to remember to perform a sync. Finally, your data is NOT encrypted on the Android and can be viewed by any authority like a parent, boss, or police. If any of these are important, you might consider another product like CompanionLink which can encrypt the data and perform automatic syncing.
I do have a word of caution. I am reviewing Kies and not Kies Air. Kies Air does not support syncing with Outlook. Some Samsung devices come with Kies Air installed, so be careful not to confuse the two. You will need to install Kies on the computer to make the Outlook sync work.
Samsung has never listed which versions of Outlook are supported by Kies. Again, if you have the time to spend my best suggestion is to give it a try and see if it works for you.
On a Mac, Kies will only sync with Mac iCal and the Address Book. But the Mac's built-in Syncing Service can be used to automatically sync iCal and Address Book with Outlook 2011 calendar and contacts. To make this happen, you must be sure the Outlook 2011 Service Pack 1 is installed, which will enable the Mac's built in Syncing Service to work with Outlook 2011. See here for the Microsoft Knowledge Base article for instructions and download links for Outlook 2011 Service Pack 1. You must follow the procedures in step 2 of the afore mentioned article to enable the syncing.
There are some that have had difficulties with Kies working properly on a Mac. If this is problematic for you, please consider using Syncmate. It is free if you perform a manual sync and there is a paid version if you wish to sync automatically.