The market's choppy/consolidating pattern characterized much of the last 5 months of 2007. However, with the start of 2008 and the entrance of new-year money flows, it's prudent to add a growth play or two, to be well-positioned for improving economic conditions, should they occur, and a growth stock worth a review is Synchronoss Tech.

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. Tech (Nasdaq: SNCR) provides software and services that communications service providers use to manage tasks such as service activation and customer transactions, including additions, subtractions, and changes to service plans.

Analysts see 2008 revenue advancing 40-50% following a likely 60-70% revenue gain in 2007. Subscriber growth should be strong, with solid margins.

"Get ready for a bumpy ride as the market digests tighter credit, unfavorable future economic policy, and limited options for fighting inflation," says growth stock money manager Jim Oberweis Jr. Nevertheless, he advises, "But don't get all depressed on us; valuations for U.S. companies, relative to the rest of the world, are cheaper than we have seen in awhile."

In his The Oberweis Report he sees upside potential in two high tech communications stocks that he considers suitable for risk-oriented investors: Ceragon Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: CRNT) and Synchronoss Technologies (NASDAQ: SNCR).

Ceragon Networks Ltd. he says, is a leading provider of high-capacity wireless backhaul solutions for cellular and fixed wireless operators, enterprises and government organizations.

Technical trading expert Leo Fasciocco is a specialist in breakout stocks, searching for stocks that are breaking above or below specific support or resistance areas.

The latest featured idea in his Ticker Tape Digest is Synchronoss Technologies (NASDAQ: SNCR), a stock whose upside breakout, he notes, was triggered by the company's link to the new iPhone introduced by Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL).

With revenues of $54 million, the company provides software and services that communications service providers use to manage tasks such as service activation and customer transactions and changes to service plans.

Fasciocco explains, "The company's ActivationNow® platform automates, synchronizes and simplifies electronic service fulfillment and order management of advanced converged devices and network services, wireless, IP, and wireline services across communication service provider networks.

The company, he notes, announced that its platform has been selected by Cingular to provide transaction order management to activate and provision the new Apple iPhone.

According to Fasciocco, Stephen Waldis, president and CEO of SNCR said the iPhone is one of the most important developments for the wireless industry in 2007. He offers a technical look at the stock, its breakout and its earnings prospects.

Says Fasciocco, "The stock broke out powerfully from a nine-week, cup and handle base on powerful volume. Technically, SNCR's breakout is very strong. The stock's accumulation / distribution line is also very bullish.

"Meanwhile, the company said fourth quarter 2006 revenue should be $20.2 to $20.5 million, or growth of 35-37%. Non-GAAP earnings per share should be 11 to 12 cents a share. That is slightly more than current Street estimates of 10 cents a share.

"SNCR said it was reiterating its forecast for 2007, which calls for total revenue of about $99 million to $100 million, or growth of 37-38%, and non-GAAP earnings per share of 44 to 48 cents a share. For 2006, SYNC is expected to report net of 30 cents a share.

"In addition, the stock's sponsorship is very good. The top fund holder is 4-star rated Janus Venture Fund with a 1.3% stake. It has held its position steady. The largest buyer recently was BlackRock Small Cap Growth Fund, 3-star rated, which picked up 132,000 shares.

"Our strategy opinion is that SNCR has made a powerful breakout supported by bullish news and good earnings prospects. We suggest using a scale-in strategy. We are calling for the stock to climb to 22 within the next few months."

"A protective stop can be placed near 13.50. We rate SNCR a very good intermediate-term play with chances to surprise big on the upside if Apple's new phone does well."

Steven Halpern covers the financial newsletter industry providing a free daily overview of the latest market commentary and stock picks at TheStockAdvisors.com.

Synchronoss Technologies (NASDAQ:SNCR) provides transaction management software used by communications service providers. The company's flagship ActivationNow platform allows clients to manage such tasks as service activation, changes to service plans and the management of wireline, wireless and IP services across existing networks. Synchronoss clients include AT&T, Cablevision, Cingular Wireless, Level 3 Communications, Time Warner Cable, Verizon Business Solutions and Vonage.

Synchronoss had good news for investors earlier in the week, when it announced that its ActivationNow software had been selected by Cingular to provide transaction order management for the new Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone. The firm also guided Q4 EPS to 11-12 cents (10 cent consensus), Q4 revenues to $20.2-$20.5 million ($21.75M consensus), FY07 EPS to 44-48 cents (44 cent consensus) and FY07 revenues to $99-$100 million ($99.94M consensus). The quarterly revenue expectation was a little light, but that was apparently forgiven. Deutsche Securities reiterated its "buy" rating on the issue and boosted its price target to $20. SNCR shares popped on the news and then began formation of a bullish "flag" pattern. Stocks frequently exit a flag with a move in the same direction they were traveling when they entered it. In this case, that would be to the upside.

Altogether, brokers recommend the issue with three "buys" and one "hold". Analysts see a 42 percent growth rate, through the next year. The stock's Sales Growth rate (33.97%), Net Profit Margin (18.63%), Revenue per Employee ($559k) and Net Income per Employee ($104k) compare favorably with industry and sector averages. Institutional investors hold about 22 percent of the outstanding shares. Over the past 52 weeks, SNCR has traded between $6.25 and $17.47. A stop-loss of $14.60 looks good here. Note that the firm is expected to report Q4 results in early February.

Larry Schutts is a contributing editor for Theflyonthewall.com and the Vice-President of Stockwinners.com.