diff --git a/symmetric/src/docbook/user-guide.xml b/symmetric/src/docbook/user-guide.xml
index 25bbaf97f5..437972de00 100644
--- a/symmetric/src/docbook/user-guide.xml
+++ b/symmetric/src/docbook/user-guide.xml
@@ -106,7 +106,35 @@
- Background
+ Background
+
+ While implementing a commercial Point of Sale (POS) system for a large retailer,
+ the development team concluded that the software provided for trickling back transactions
+ to the general office would not meet the project needs.
+ The list of problems in the requirements made finding the ideal solution difficult:
+
+
+
+ Sending and receiving data with 2000 stores during peak holiday loads.
+
+
+ Supporting one database platform at the store and another at general office.
+
+
+ Synchronizing some data in one direction, and other data in both directions.
+
+
+ Filtering out sensitive data and re-routing it to a protected database.
+
+
+ Preparing the store database with an initial load of data from general office.
+
+
+
+ The team created a custom solution that met the requirements and made the project
+ successful. From this initial challenge came the knowledge and experience that
+ SymmetricDS benefits from today.
+