--- title: How the empower® sync process works description: How does the sync work in practical terms? The empower Express server is in Europe. The empower® sync creates a small thumbnail of all library elements. --- [Skip to content](https://empower.express/knowledge/how-does-the-sync-work#main-content) ![empower Express](https://empower.express/hs-fs/hubfs/Empower%20Blue.png?width=200&height=54&name=Empower%20Blue.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Contact us](mailto:info@empower.express) [Contact us](mailto:info@empower.express) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [empower Express Knowledge Base](https://empower.express/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Troubleshooting & Technical information](https://empower.express/knowledge/troubleshooting-technical-information?hsLang=en) 3. [IT architecture & security information](https://empower.express/knowledge/troubleshooting-technical-information?hsLang=en#it-architecture-security-information) # How the empower® sync process works ## How the sync works in practical terms **The empower® Sync is a background process that synchronizes data between the content server (where your files are hosted) and your individual instance of empower®.**  1. The empower® sync creates a small thumbnail of all library elements and these thumbnails are saved onto your local machine, while the actual file content is saved in the empower cloud server. 2. If you click on a thumbnail and ask to enlarge it, empower® asks the server to send a larger version of that thumbnail, which usually takes 5 seconds or so. 3. If you download something from the library, the first time it downloads what you select, empower needs to copy that content from the server onto your machine. 1. If you need to download that same content another time, it will be instantaneous, as empower® has already downloaded and cached the large thumbnail and the PowerPoint content. 4. If you make everything offline synced, the offline cache on your machine is larger, but everything is already downloaded to your machine so it will be the fastest possible way to access content. 5. The number of things you save into the library affects the performance of syncing more than the size of file. 1. if you had 100 files which were 100mbs each, this will be very quick because the database is only syncing the links to the content on the server to the thumbnails 2. if you have 100,000 files which were 0.5mbs each this will take longer, because the sync must check the link of every file with the associated file on the server to check for any changes ##### Additional information The empower® Express server is in Europe, so any function that requires a server response will take longer the further you are from it. ##### The empower Web library Empower content is available not only in the PowerPoint library, but also via a web link to the library content.  Use this link to access the web library content: [**https://express.empowersuite.cloud.**](https://express.empowersuite.cloud) **[![ICON Block meeting](https://empower.express/hs-fs/hubfs/Icons/ICON%20Block%20%20meeting.png?width=20&height=20&name=ICON%20Block%20%20meeting.png)](https://empower.express/meetings/derrick-waylen/full-intro-demo?hsLang=en)**[**Book a call or a meeting**](https://empower.express/meetings/derrick-waylen/full-intro-demo?hsLang=en) to learn how empower® Express can help you and arrange a demo **[![ICON Block email blue](https://empower.express/hs-fs/hubfs/Icons/ICON%20Block%20email%20blue.png?width=20&height=20&name=ICON%20Block%20email%20blue.png)](mailto:support@empower.express)** [**Contact us**](mailto:support@empower.express) (support@empower.express) if you have any questions [**![ICON Block website Blue](https://empower.express/hs-fs/hubfs/Icons/ICON%20Block%20website%20Blue.png?width=20&height=20&name=ICON%20Block%20website%20Blue.png)**](https://www.empowersuite.com/en/empower-express)[**Click here**](https://www.empowersuite.com/en/empower-express) to learn more and sign up for a free trial [![ICON Block tech support](https://empower.express/hs-fs/hubfs/Icons/ICON%20Block%20tech%20support.png?width=20&height=20&name=ICON%20Block%20tech%20support.png)](https://empower.express/meetings/derrick-waylen/technical-assistance?hsLang=en)  [**Click here**](https://empower.express/meetings/derrick-waylen/technical-assistance?hsLang=en) to book a call with our technical support team - [Before you get started](https://empower.express/knowledge/before-you-get-started?hsLang=en#main-content) - [What is empower® Express?](https://empower.express/knowledge/before-you-get-started?hsLang=en#what-is-empower-express) - [How can I try it?](https://empower.express/knowledge/before-you-get-started?hsLang=en#how-can-i-try-it) - [How much does it cost?](https://empower.express/knowledge/before-you-get-started?hsLang=en#how-much-does-it-cost) - [How can I buy it?](https://empower.express/knowledge/before-you-get-started?hsLang=en#how-can-i-buy-it) - [Set up options](https://empower.express/knowledge/before-you-get-started?hsLang=en#set-up-options) - [Integrating your brand and template](https://empower.express/knowledge/before-you-get-started?hsLang=en#integrating-your-brand-and-template) - [What training & support is included?](https://empower.express/knowledge/before-you-get-started?hsLang=en#what-training-support-is-included) - [Information Security / T&Cs](https://empower.express/knowledge/before-you-get-started?hsLang=en#information-security-tcs) - [empower® Express Full (PC)](https://empower.express/knowledge/empower-express-full-pc?hsLang=en#main-content) - [1. 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