Earlier this month, Sage Software released service pack 1 for the ACT! 2010 product.  I have worked with the product first in my own environment and with several customers now and wanted to share with you what you can expect with this latest update of the program.  There are four main improvements that were most requested by users, and a few others that were worth mentioning from the customers I have the privilege to coach.  Hint: it is all good.

My Impressions of ACT! 2010 Service Pack 1

With any software there will be bugs to iron out after initial release, and with ACT by Sage, it’s not different.  Truthfully, there were several “hotfixes” released shortly after the program released last fall to address immediate customer needs, with a service pack they often introduce something more than just bug fixes, let me explain.

I put a video together highlighting some things in this ACT! by Sage software patch.  If you can’t see it here it’s available directly on YouTube here.

Here are 4 items called out by Sage in their user community as a part of communicating what customers can expect from this update.

One – Group and Company Counts

Quickly understand how many contacts are in a selected group or company.

Two – Search Button Change

Search button on the “big easy” bar no longer restricts access to keyword search.

Three – More Descriptive Info on Mail Merge

This is true for many of the improvements, just making it easier for users to know what to do, or what will be done when an option is selected.

Four – “Location” Field Avail in Task List View

This makes it easier to see “at a glance” where various activities are taking place form the task list view.

Performance

It is worth noting that there are significant performance gains as well.

• Time to Launch ACT! improved by 2 seconds.
• Time to open the Opportunity View improved by 6 seconds.
• Time to perform a lookup by last name improved by 2 seconds.
• Time to run a contact report improved by 40 seconds.
• Time to perform a mail merge to email improved by 10 seconds.
• Time to open ACT! with the Dashboard as the default initial view improved by 27 seconds.

Things to Be Aware Of

• Make a Way Out!: Always backup before applying any software update.
• Use Experts: If working with an expert like an ACT! Certified Consultant, be sure to use so that you understand the full impact this patch has in your environment.
• Outlook: While I haven’t experienced this, in some cases Outlook integration may have to be reestablished (and other preferences), so keep that in mind.
• Training: Improve your ACT! skills by getting instant access to my friend Mark’s training here.  It is top shelf professionally done, and reasonably priced.

Access to Download and Details

Here are the details on the ACT! 2010 SP1 Update.

If you want to download any apply the patch, you can learn more here.

Your Turn

Have experience with this support pack?  Likes? Dislikes?  Chime in the comment boxes below.

by YtseJam Photography

Technorati Tags: act 2010 fix, act 2010 patch, act 2010 software

UPDATE: Webinar is a success…Be among the first to get access to the LIVE-REPLAY page for this recorded webinar.  Simply fill out the form below and I’ll make sure you are kept in the loop. -Travis

It’s true, the ACT! 2009 software is officially available to the public.  It provides a host of new functions focused on making it easier for users to navigate through the application.

I will be hosting a live-webinar Thursday August 14th, 2008 at 3pm EST* and will be reviewing the features and functions of the program, and will have Dave van Toor as my guest.  Dave is the VP and GM of Sage CRM North America.  If you’ve been on this blog before you might remember the interview I held with Dave back in May. I will also be making a special offer to those who want to lock in the upgrade for the ACT! 2009 software.

If you want in on this webinar, with a chance to ask your questions, simply fill out the form below, and I’ll send you all the details.

Technorati Tags: act 2009, act by sage, act database software, act software, contact management

Attention Sales and Marketing Professionals (ACT! and non ACT! software users alike)
Date: Thursday June 26, 2008
Time: 3pm EST, 12pm PST
What: Internet Search Acceleration Webinar
Register Here

Are you someone who knows the value search engines can provide your business, but find using them laborious and time consuming? What if you could automate most of your Internet research so you could sell more?

Recently, I visited with a friend who shared with me some amazing Internet research software. I don’t get super-impressed with software (afterall it is just a tool), but for folks spending time doing market research online, this high-end software is worth a look. (register for webinar here)

I was hoping to put a video up here to show you the software in action, but I’d rather have Mike show you personally, so I’ve made special arrangement with Mike’s office to host a webinar with you in mind.

This world-class suite of products allows companies to reduce Internet research from hours to minutes, putting them in touch with qualified prospects in a fraction of the time. In this 1 hour webinar you’ll learn how you can arm yourself with tools your competitors haven’t seen.
-Stop cutting/pasting contact information into your database
-Find your niche, no matter how specific
-Work with existing lists and directories
-Build a contact list in moments
…and that is just the beginning.

Mike showed me how he extracted hundreds of contacts from a
series of websites for export to a contact database of choice
in less than 2 minutes. (register for webinar here)

The software automates the “grind” functions of Internet research, such as:
-Trolling through company/directory/portal websites to find names, phone numbers, email addresses and such.
-Using search engines to find disparate information on contacts and companies
-Clicking/copying/pasting or retyping pertinent information from the web, into a usable format. (excel, outlook, ACT!, crm, ats.)

If what I’ve described resonates with you, please carve out an hour to learn
more on this webinar…Thursday June 26, 2008 at 3pm EST, 12pm PST

-Travis
PS: I’ve arranged for a free gift
from Mike for those attending
this webinar. Register here.

Technorati Tags: act database software, excel, google, internet research, msn live, outlook, search engine, yahoo

Recently Microsoft released .Net Framework 2.1.  It appears that the ACT! Database Software has issues with this latest update.  And ACT! is not alone, I’ve heard unconfirmed reports that QuickBooks software (and others) that use Microsoft’s .Net, are having issues with the latest release from the Redmond, WA giant.

I encourage anyone running ACT! 2007 or ACT! 2008 hold off on updating to this latest version of .net.  And please, is you have experienced issues with this, feel free share them in the comment box below.

-Travis

Technorati Tags: Quickbooks, reports

People say they learn a lot from me, truth is I learn from customers and subscribers all the time. Yesterday I talked with a customer who articulated something I think might benefit others. It was pertaining to the idea of upgrading his ACT software after receiving an upgrade notice from Sage Software, he said, “I got some critical enhancement products as a part of my ACT install, I know how it all works and interconnects with my business process, as a result I’m cautious about installing a soon to be released upgrade.”

The truth is, he has quite unique combination of ACT Addon installed on his computer…each with a critical business purpose, allowing him to focus on what brings in revenue, selling. However, it does bring up a very fair question.

Should I upgrade?

For 2008 and beyond, with any software, the question people are asking…Should I upgrade?

Here are some questions ACT users must ask before answering the upgrade question. Take time to write out the answers to these questions, and be as specific as possible.

1.) What new features in the software will…
a.) Make me or my organization more productive.
b.) Make me or my organization smarter about the data in my database.
c.) Give me or my organization a competitive edge
d.) Help me or my organization make customers and prospects lives better.

2.) How will the existing configuration carry over to this new version?
a.) Will it support the operating system I’m running?
b.) If using templates, and mail merges, will it support the version of my word processor.
c.) Am I using any addon or enhancement products, and if so, are they supported on the new version. If not, when will an update be available, and what will it cost (many are free)?
d.) The Database itself, have others experienced problems upgrading their database for this new software, can I perform a test migration of my database to see if there are any problems before putting it ‘in production’? (this is CRITICAL, and I always recommend a professional to evaluate at least this part…it is your customer/prospect database, the lifeblood of any business…partner with someone you trust)

3.) Handheld integration, Palm Treo, Motorola Q Phone, Apple iPhone, Blackberry, phones running Windows Mobile, Pocket PCs, etc.
a.) If synchronizing with a handheld, will the synchronization software I use work with this new upgrade?
b.) If upgrades are necessary, what is the process to obtain and install the upgrade?

4.) If your database is shared
a.) What will it take to install the upgrade to all computers.
b.) Consider items outlined in #2 and #3 above for each computer.
c.) Do I need help to get it done right, or am I willing to learn and do it myself?

Based on feedback from my subscribers in recent months, there has been general frustration when learning that their new computer was incompatible with ACT 2007. The new system had the Microsoft Vista operating system, or Office 2007…or both (to be fair, there is a patch to make ACT 2007 function under Vista, but there are significant limitations, and while others have reported it working 80% of the time, the patch is not supported for those using the Premium version of ACT, more info here http://www.act.com/vista2007/). My advice to them and to you is the following…Anytime you are thinking of getting a new computer or new software, two questions should pop in your head,

“What are the productivity gains?”…and
“How will this effect my existing applications?”

As my customer has learned, much like business itself, computer systems are becoming more complicated, not simpler. They need to work for you, not the other way around. If you sufficiently answer those questions, and test it before diving in. It just may save you some grief.

Travis

PS: These questions are a good outline when considering an IT vendor to help you with software or system integrations. If they don’t ask you these questions in some form during the process, determine what process they follow to deliver successfully for their customers.

**Want to know if the latest version of ACT is right for you? Get FREE instant access at:
http://www.WhatsNewWithACT.com

Technorati Tags: ACT 2007, Business, handheld, iphone, mail merge, sage software, upgrade, upgrading