Summary of How to Sync Outlook Data with Android Phones or Tablets

While Sage ACT! 2012 is available for purchase, there are still many die hard Outlook users. More and more are purchasing Android devices, and are stumped to learn there is no out of the box solution to sync Outlook with Android based devices. I got on the phone with Rushang Shah of CompanionLink, and talked about this very issue. Fortunately he has a solution, and special offer for our readers and subscribers. Here’s the summary of the video (scroll):

• If you have an Android smartphone or tablet, you might be surprised to learn of the challenges in syncing Outlook data with your new Android device. is it possible to get ACT! on my iPhone or other device!
• Guest Rushang Shah (not Shaw as in the video) of CompanionLink from Portland, Oregon, USA, talks about this challenge.
• Rushang will be sharing a special offer for mobile ACT! users toward the end of the video.
• CompanionLink has been around for about 18 years. Have supported hundreds of devices over the years.
• Many are left scratching their head when getting an Android device.
• No CD to sync data with Outlook.
• CompanionLink has been supporting Outlook since Clippy existed (Outlook 97)

How CompanionLink Works for Outlook Users

• Cable: Sync Outlook data to your Android securely via USB cable.
• Wifi Sync: allows users to sync wirelessly over their home or office wireless network.
• Google Sync: Sync Outlook data with Gmail account. By default data from Google account (Gmail) syncs to android device.
• Direct Secure Wireless Sync: Allows for secure sync from anywhere, no data hosted in the cloud. HIPPA compliant.
• PC with Outlook is on, sync at regular intervals with the device. Regardless of who is updating data in Outlook (Admin).
• Shortest schedule sync interval is 15 minutes.
• No data stored with CompanionLink for the direct secure wireless sync option.

Special Offer to ACTasap.net Readers and Subscribers

• Save $5 by going here, and using coupon code BC6976.
• Save $10 prior to September 1, 2011 by going here, and using coupon code 10ASAP.

Technorati Tags: companionlink coupon code, outlook android smartphone, outlook android tablet, outlook data on android, sync outlook data to android

Summary of Getting ACT! Data to Sync with iPad and Other Devices

• If you have and ACT! database and recently purchased an iPad/iPhone or Android smartphone or tablet, you might be wondering, is it possible to get ACT! on my iPhone or other device!
• Guest Rushang Shah (not Shaw as in the video) of CompanionLink talks about this challenge.
• CompanionLink is the “oldest startup in the world.”
• Been working with ACT! by Sage since version 3.
• Rushang will be sharing a special offer for mobile ACT! users toward the end of the video.
• He talks about the evolution of mobile smartphones/devices.
• What hasn’t changed are the fundamental rules of mobile business productivity.
• Old days: the PC. Today: iPad and Android based devices.
• Question: How to get valuable ACT! data to these mobile devices?
• “SmartPhones are actually pretty dumb.”
• They are missing the data and business productivity component.
• This is the gap that CompanionLink and DejaOffice are looking to fill.

iPad/Android User, Is this Your Situation?

• Considering an iPad, iPhone, or Android based device, but wondering how the ACT! data will get there.
• Have recently purchased and iPad, iPhone, or Android based device, and realizing you have few options for getting ACT! data to the device.

What CompanionLink Does for ACT! Users

• Ensures changes to the data in the ACT! database is sent to the device.
• App on the device presents the ACT! data (DejaOffice). Includes Sage ACT!, activities, todos, and notes.
• Can sync ACT! data to Google Gmail account, and then sync to phone
• Can sync ACT! using a secure and direct connection CompanionLink app, giving users the ability to sync wirelessly. HIPPA compliant. CompanionLink controls entire process with this approach

Special Offer, CompanionLink Coupon Code for ACTasap.net Readers and Subscribers

• Save $5 by going here, and using coupon code BC6976.
• Save $10 prior to September 1, 2011 by going here, and using coupon code 10ASAP.

Technorati Tags: act on android, act on ipad, act on iphone, companionlink coupon code

Many ACT! users are also interested in maximizing the use of their mobile phones to connect with customers and prospects and close more sales.  Google has come on the scene recently with droid based phones which tie in many of the free services that have become popular in recent years like Gmail, Google Talk, Search, Calendar and more.  What if an ACT! user wants to get their all important ACT! database information on their Droid based phone?  There is an interesting solution.

How to Sync Your Android Phone with ACT and Other Contact Management Software

CompanionLink, the folks that allow ACT! users to sync with the iPhone also support Droid based phones.   Essentially with the “over the air” application, users sync ACT! data to Google, which then syncs to the phone, and vice versa. This graphic illustrates it pretty well:

If you are interested in a Droid based Phone, these guys offer them.  If you are interested in the software to sync with ACT!, you can get access to that  here.

Using this software? Experience with the Android itself and ACT!?  Please share your experiences and questions in the comment boxes below (scroll).

Technorati Tags: act on android, act on handhelds, google

Blackberry Tour 9630

My wife has the cousin of the iPhone, the iTouch.  It is just like the iPhone, but no…phone.  She browses the internet at home, check’s email, Facebook, and seems to be always downloading applications (many of which my sons choose…games).  There is a lot of flexibility when it comes to the devices, but as you’ll see that is where the flexbility ends.  In this post I’ll share why I decided to go with another Blackberry, and the main reasons why.  I’ll also discuss options for both devices when it comes to integrating it with your ACT! database.

3 Reasons Why I Chose the Latest Blackberry over the Latest iPhone

To her own admission, My wife is not super tech savvy, but she was glued to that iTouch like white on rice.  She loves the fact that she does not have to fire up a laptop or computer, to check email, or Facebook.  I knew our cell phone contracts were coming due for renewal, and it was time to do some shopping.  I was strongly considering the iPhone.  There were several reasons I did not go with the iPhone, that I’ll share with you here.

Reason #1 for Not Going with an iPhone

Coverage: as I surveyed other iPhone users, both locally and across the USA, a constant theme was in each conversation.  We love the device, we don’t love the coverage. It seems that AT&T (currently the sole cell service provider for the device) has much to be desired when it comes to coverage.  As one who travels often, and recently drove across the country with no issues on cell service (Alltel) during the recent ACT! by Sage software promotion, this benefit was fresh on my mind.  I found it hard to believe that I could be talking to someone on their iPhone in New York City, and the call would drop (multiple times).  Even in the Denver area where I’m at, the coverage map was spotty.

After I went with the Blackberry, I saw this commercial, which resonated with me:

If for some reason you cannot see it on this page, go here.

Reason #2- What about That Big Screen? What if it breaks?

I’m pretty rough on things.  My travels have me bumping into things, multi-tasking, car keys and a phone in the same pocket (when it’s not in the holster grinding against something), etc.  Therefore, it is a realistic consideration.  I understand there are screen protectors for the iPhone, but I didn’t ever have this concern with the original Blackberry, and if the Blackberry screen were to shatter, the keyboard still works…not so sure with the iPhone which is a complete touchscreen.

Reason #3- What About Syncing Information with the ACT! Database?

This is not only a question for me, but for my clients also.  The same solution offered for syncing ACT! with the iPhone is avaiable from these guys with the Blackberry, but I liked having more than one option.  Hey this is a tough economy and companies do go out of business.  I’m a big fan of syncing wirelessly (when I’m not in the office), so I prefer that option.  However, this product is more of a conduit that syncs with the address book function of the given handheld, and does not have an actual ACT! application for the device.  This may work for most people, but not for all.

Then there is these other guys, who will sync over the air to an application that they have designed specifically to have ACT! on the Blackberry.  This application has matured over the years, and having used it for nearly two years, I couldn’t walk away from it now.  Shortly after getting my new Blackberry Tour 9630 in the mail from Verizon, I had nearly 2000 contacts sync’d to my phone using their application.

What About You?  Blackberry or iPhone?

If you are concerned about coverage (which AT&T really needs to improve), or the possibility of the touchscreen breaking, you might want to rethink whether the iPhone is for you.  For ACT! users needing the data portability and sync capabilities, there are options.  If you are like me, syncing over the air to a native application is the best course, and the only option at this point is available for the Blackberry.

Note: I may do a comprehensive review of the ACT! on the Blackberry if there is enough interest.  I may even have a bonus for those who are need to jumpstart their training on the Blackberry device.  If that interests  you, let me know in the comments below.

Resources in this Post:

• Coverage Map Ad Hits AT&T
• Handheld Cradle and Over the Air Sync for ACT! and iPhone Users
• A Fair value for those thinking of going to the Blackberry with Verizon
• Sync Your Blackberry with ACT! over the Air

Hey! It’s Your Turn: This conversation is incomplete without you.  Take a moment and chime in using the comment boxes below.  You have an iPhone or Blackberry?  Chime in with your own experiences below.

Technorati Tags: act for iphone, act on blackberry, act on handhelds, act on iphone

Many iPhone users want the ability to sync their iPhone with any number of contact managers.  ACT! database software is one of the most popular contact management systems out there, and I was thrilled when a third party offered a solution to sync ACT! with the iPhone a while back.  Just recently CompanionLink Software released videos showing how to sync your iPhone with any number of contact managers, wirelessly.

Sync iPhone Wirelessly with the Most Popular Contact Managers and PIMs

The videos may not be super jazzy, but they do a good job demonstrating how the software works.  Here is the one taylored for ACT! software users.

There is also a way to Sync ACT! with the iPhone via USB Cable, it is contained in the video below.

Want to see the other cool videos they have?  They are here.  If you want to know more about purchasing CompanionLink go here.

Chime in: Using this software, or another to sync with your iPhone or other device, share your feedback in the comment boxes below.