(1) In APPC, a reference point during transaction processing to which resources can be restored if a failure occurs.
(2) In OSI, a point to which a session can be reset. Setting a synchronisation point requires the appropriate token. synchronisation points are a session-layer service.
(3) A point in time from which IMS or an application programme can start over if a failure makes recovery necessary. The two types of synchronisation points are system checkpoints done by IMS itself, and application programme synchronisation points (also known as commit points) done on behalf of individual application programs. See also commit point, system checkpoint.