Even though ACT! has been around for over 20 years, there are new businesses being formed every day who need a good database solution, and ACT! is one of the more affordable options out there.  Truth is, with the surge of Internet-based technology in recent years, the old way of doing things in ACT! just wasn’t cutting it for many using the application for the first time, the question was Why can’t this be easier? Sage decided to get serious and simplified the startup experience of the program, starting with the redesigned welcome page.

Redesigned Welcome Page – Easier Navigation

When you run the application without having a database open you are presented with the welcome screen similar to the one below.

Pretty straightforward, you either create a new database, open a new one, or close ACT!.  If you have any questions, you can watch a video to learn more.

Express Importing

Users can choose between a typical and a custom import. Typical is fastest, especially if you are importing standard contact fields. Custom allows users to create custom fields on the fly, and populate the data for those fields.

Import Directly from Excel

Point the wizard to the spreadsheet containing your data, confirm that it is reading it properly, and import. There is also logic built into the import wizard that properly identifies and matches field names, and normalizes data formats upon import. This is also customizable through a configuration file if you don’t like what is suggests.

One Click “Create New Field” Option

This is a great time saver.  Previously, if when importing you discovered you needed to create new fields, there were multiple steps to close down the import and invoke the field creation wizard.  ACT! administrators and new users will benefit most from this functionality.

Get Smart Faster with ACT! Welcome Screen

Not to be confused with the Welcome Page, the Welcome Screen is what users see with a database open.  Here is the default screen.

I’ve circled some items in red to call attention to the videos (right), and the web based information available about ACT! on the bottom half of the screen.

Here’s a Preview Video of the Sage ACT! Welcome Screen:

Is this helpful? Questions?  Chime in using the comment boxes below.

Technorati Tags: act by sage 2011, act corporate edition, getting started, sage act 2011, sage act premium, sage act pro

Today, Sage software officially makes Sage ACT! 2011 available for purchase through their early bird promotion program.  I first saw the ACT! 2011 product in April during an alpha release, and I thought I’d share my take on this new version with readers and subscribers.  With the annual release schedule ACT! has been on since the ACT! 2005 version, it has been interesting to see Sage Software alter the ACT! product line with each new release.  Allow me to provide an overview of the five key areas added or enhanced in the product, as well as my overall take.

My Take on Sage ACT! 2011 Contact Management Software

Perhaps you received an email from me or Sage or somewhere else and are curious what is in this new version of ACT!.  If you are an existing ACT! user, you may notice name change; The product is now called, Sage ACT! 2011 PRO or Sage ACT! 2011 Premium.  The PRO version is for individuals or those in small workgroups of 10 or less without the need for enhanced workgroup features or access through their Web browser via ACT! for Web.  Let’s move on to what’s new with ACT! 

Note: This is the first of a series of posts reviewing new features in the software.  There will also be a complete review of Sage ACT! 2011 for subscribers to see it in action (video).

Disclaimer: Perhaps like you, I am a small business owner and know the challenges of a small business.  I am also a Sage Partner and a Certified Consultant for the ACT! Product line, as I like most (no company is perfect) of what Sage has done to help customers in the small business community.  That said, I’m here to keep it real and offer my candid feedback as best I can.

1-Improved Startup Wizard

This will make life easier for new customers but also has features long time customers have been clamoring for.  Some of the features include:

• Redesigned Welcome Page – making for easier and more intuitive navigation
• Express Importing - This allows users to get contacts into their ACT! database faster with a redesigned import functionality.  The actual import seems faster than in previous versions.
• Import directly from Excel – This makes sense as many lists are bought and sold and delivered in CSV or Excel format.
• One Click “Create New Field” option – Just like it sounds, more visible and useful.  Of course only those with Administrator level privileges will be able to use this function.
• Improved Default Layouts for improved navigation – ACT! 2010 had user interface enhancements, most of which were welcomed; they continue to improve navigation with these updated default layouts.

Heard Enough? Customers who purchase either Sage ACT! 2011 Pro, Sage ACT! 2011 Premium, or a Sage ACT! 2011 Early Bird Bundle, by July 31, 2010 through our store will receive several bonus options. I will send an “voting” email for customers later in the month, and as last year, you’ll have the bonuses when Sage makes ACT! 2011 available.

2-Sage Business Information Services

Ever heard of Hoover’s? They provide business insight about companies around the world, saving a lot of research time for any businesses or sales organization. Sage as partnered with Hoover’s to provide Hoover’s data within Sage ACT! 2011.

To be honest, some of my customers aren’t a big fan of having Windows software tie into web services.  However, I think for many this can offer significant value, especially if ACT! users are sales oriented.  It is optional, and does require a subscription (I don’t have the full details on trial/pricing) for the service to work.

Here is the business information customers get with this subscription service:

• Contact, and company profile
• Company Financials, Contacts (org chart information), and News
• Industry Information – useful for having a reason to call or email, think conversation starter
• Search for new companies and Import new leads <<–big time saver…
  
• Email Alerts

3-Smart Tasks – Long Awaited Workflow

I’ll get into this in more detail later, but in my opinion it is the second most compelling reason to upgrade to Sage ACT! 2011.  Once you have your business processed dialed in, and that alone is a competitive advantage, take it to the next level by automating the process with Smart Tasks.  Here is the skinny on what it offers…

Smart Task Templates:

• 10 Prefilled templates for common tasks
• Useful out-of-the-box or edit to personalize
• Suitable for general productivity or sales

Easy Customization:

• Easiest visual designer for creating and modifying Smart Tasks
• Drag/drop capabilities for Smart Task steps

Smart Task Visibility:

• Pause or Activate Smart Tasks
• View pending Smart Tasks

Fully Extensible Engine:

• Windows Workflow Foundation
• Out-of-the Box integration with ACT! E-Marketing

Heard Enough? Customers who purchase either Sage ACT! 2011 Pro, Sage ACT! 2011 Premium, or a Sage ACT! 2011 Early Bird Bundle, by July 31, 2010 through our store will receive several bonus options. I will send an “voting” email for customers later in the month, and as last year, you’ll have the bonuses when Sage makes ACT! 2011 available.

4-Outlook Integration and Synchronization

This may be the most compelling reason for many existing customers to upgrade.  I am still testing all these features, but so far so good.  The sync functionality is the most important part, this will make it much easier for users to move data (and use habits) from Outlook to ACT!

Contact Synching:

• Create new Outlook Contacts from ACT!
• Create new ACT! Contacts from Outlook
• Control which ACT! Contacts are synched to Outlook
• Contacts are always up to date regardless of where they were created or changed

Calendar Synching:

• Calendars are always up to date, regardless of where events were  created or modified
• Select which ACT! Activity types to sync to Outlook
• No duplicate entries
• Sync runs even with Outlook and/or ACT! closed
• Same features available for APFW users
• Users choose which system alarms display in

5-New Database Security Preferences

Security is especially a concern in larger corporate environments that deploy Sage ACT!.  One aspect of that concern has to do with file attachments in the database.  Sage has taken action to provide the following capabilities with new database preferences:

• Restrict emails from being attached to user records – addresses issue of one act user reading another act users (the boss, or colleague) correspondences via their user record.
• Restrict email attachments in the database
• Restrict file attachments in the database such as IE, Word, Notes, Histories, Activities, Mail Merge, ACT! Email

My Take on the Sage ACT! 2011 New Features

Software purchases can be tricky.  It’s about understanding your needs, remaining competitive, and investing wisely.  While everyone may not find this upgrade worthy of their investment, Outlook intensive environments who understand the productivity kill of fragmented data or information islands, “it’s in Bob, or Jack, or Sharon’s Outlook”, and customers who value automation (Smart Tasks), the improvements in these areas are significant.

I’m a fan of investing in tools that free up time so you can sell more. Automation is key, and until now was only available for ACT! users by a 3rd party enhancement product.  To be fair this is version 1 of Smart Tasks in Sage ACT! 2011, so while it may not compete with more established workflow type packages, it is a good start.

Administrators will appreciate the streamlined startup process, with improved layouts and easy of creating new fields in the database, as well as the additional data security found in Sage ACT! 2011.

Sales and marketing professionals will be intrigued with Hoover’s data integration with Sage Business Information Services, and the ability to import lists of target market companies and contacts quickly.

Overall this is a significant upgrade, especially for workgroups an larger environments that have IT staff.  Smaller environments and individual customers may find it hard to justify the upgrade if they don’t see immediate value in these five enhancements.

Heard Enough? Customers who purchase either Sage ACT! 2011 Pro, Sage ACT! 2011 Premium, or a Sage ACT! 2011 Early Bird Bundle, by July 31, 2010 through our store will receive several bonus options. I will send an “voting” email for customers later in the month, and as last year, you’ll have the bonuses when Sage makes ACT! 2011 available.

Thoughts? Ideas? Questions?  Chime in using the comment boxes below.

Technorati Tags: act by sage 2011, act corporate edition, contact managment software, sage act 2011, sage act premium, sage act pro

Since the week is short for those of us in the USA (Thanksgiving), I wanted to send a quick notice for those not yet using ACT! 2010.

I just got a message from Sage, that confirmed my suspicions.  As in past years around this time, the promo pricing on ACT! 2010 is going away.

If you have been on the fence on the upgrade, let me encourage you to consider the pricing currently available through the end of the month.  As of December 1, prices will increase an average of 20%.

I don’t share this information to scare you, rather to cover my hide :-}

I talk with so many people in a given day, that I thought this post would be a good way to notify the world of the end of this wildly successful promotion.  I’ve even emailed a notice to subscribers who have not yet upgraded (you know who your are :-}).

Every year I speak to at least one person who missed out on the launch promotion, and I never enjoy that discussion. Buy the ACT! Software here.

As for the $447 in bonuses for our ACT! 2010 customers, thanks to those of you who took the time to comment about them here on the site.  The feedback thus far has been flattering.  There will be a bonus package in December, but likely a different package than what is currently available.

Not sure ACT! 2010 is for you?  Get instant access to our ACT! by Sage 2010 Review here.

Your Turn: As always, this post is incomplete without your input, please chime in with questions and feedback in the comment boxes below.

Technorati Tags: act 2010 software, act by sage 2010

One of the challenges ACT! by Sage users have had in the passed is getting the software installed properly.  It has certainly improved in recent years, but there are still certain best practices to follow.  Just released, the From the Trenches ACT! 2010 Install Video.  Customer feedback from past from the trenches install videos has been positive, and indicate is getting better with each passing year.  This year we are making it available to the general public for purchase (previously included as a bonus for purchasing the ACT! software from us).  We hope this year’s version is just as valuable.   Taken from the description page in the store here is what is included (scroll for screenshot).

ACT! 2010 from the Trenches Video – What’s in Store

Note: So there is no confusion, this is currently available for no charge for customers who purchase the ACT 2010 software or ACT! Platinum Care renewals from us.  It is included as a part of our limited, customer’s only bonus package.

In this 15 minute live-streaming video, (scroll for screenshot) best practices are shared that have been developed working with consulting clients over long period of time, spanning 6 versions of ACT!.  Consulting clients paid thousands to have someone else deal with getting the software installed.  You can have instant access to the training just moments from now.

Video Includes:

• Real-World (and realistic) system requirements
• What you need to do to prepare your Windows workstation for installation (pay special attention here!)
• Implications of .Net on your system
• Install options you need to be aware of
• Implications of rebooting
• Uninstalling previous versions of ACT!
• SQL Installation
• …more

Video *DOES NOT* Include:

• Data conversion from previous versions of ACT!
• Data import (lists or spreadsheets)
• Server installation (Windows 2003/2008 Server versions)
• ACT! for Web Installation (firewall and other configurations)
• Workstation Performance Optimization tips

Important Notes on Your Purchase:

• This is a live-streaming video, requires an internet connection. No DVD is sent to you.
• Because of the nature of the information shared, there are no refunds on this training product.  No exceptions.
• A good installation is key to getting going right with ACT!. What is shared in this video will save you time and money, when you follow the instructions given.

Video Screenshot:

Your turn: I want to hear from you.  What has your experience been with ACT! 2010 installation?  If a customer, what is your feedback on the From the Trenches ACT! 2010 Install video? Likes.  Dislikes.  How can it be better?

Technorati Tags: act by sage 2010, act software installation, act software video

Over it’s 20+ years of existence, ACT! has not made major user interface changes very often.  From time to time they do make changes and make it easier for users to get started or navigate the program.  ACT! 2010 has more changes than any version since ACT! 2005.

ACT! by Sage 2010 Has a New Modern Look and Feel

Below is a slideshow containing screenshots of the updated interface.

What I Like About the Updated User Interface

Lookup: The integrated lookup in the left hand Navbar is quick, intuitive, and flexible.  Users can now quickly find information by simply typing in the “Contains:” box for a selected contact field type.

Buttons: I like the size of the buttons on the toolbar along the top. The bigger buttons will make it easier for new users.

Reports: If you’ve seen the Top 5 Overlooked Features of ACT! Video training series, you know I’m a big fan of reports.  In my experience, Reports is one of the most underutilized functions of contact management or CRM software in small business (regardless of product).

Introducing a Reports view, and making it intuitive to use, will result in more users using reports.  This is good for small business, as it is important to know what is working in your database, especially in this economy.  The option to ‘favorite’ a report is smart as well.

What I Don’t Like About the Updated User Interface

Green: I understand marketing, and branding, but a light green color theme in any software would take me some time to get used to.  Good news, they do have an option to change the color scheme.  I found the Sage Silver color theme, much easier on the eyes.

No Classic View: It would be nice for upgrading users to have a quick way to revert back to the classic view they are familiar with before learning the updated interface.  While you can customize what appears on the Navbar, as well as minimize it, at this point, users are unable to revert to the old style.

Bottomline on the Updated ACT by Sage 2010 User Interface

Overall, it is a good improvement for the program.  It is evident they have taken feedback in their user community seriously, and made many strides forward.  It might be an adjustment for upgrading users, but overall it will help users navigate the program faster, while helping new users shorten their learning curve a bit.  Learn more about ACT! 2010 here.  Claim your copy of ACT! 2010 with Earlybird pricing here.

Your Turn: Thoughts or feedback on this latest version or this post, chime in using the boxes below.

*Photo Credit to chrisbrenschmidt

Technorati Tags: act by sage, Business, contact management, reports, upgrading, video