Well, it’s here. The new iPhone. It seems Mr. Jobs and the folks at Apple have done it again. They’ve got many whipped up in a frenzy for this new device which is tagged as “Twice as Fast. Half the Price.” Clever marketing, and based on the video I watched from their World Wide Developers Conference a few weeks back, it certainly seems impressive, and I do think the upgrade is warranted on it’s own, beyond that third parties are making it even more compelling. Read on…
So what do you do if you are an ACT! software user and you want to sync your iPhone with your ACT! database? I have some good news, now you can sync your new iPhone with ACT!, wirelessly. Sounds to good to be true? Not really, Sage isn’t providing this, it comes from an innovative third party developer that contacted me last week. It also syncs with quite a few other applications…again wirelessly, but more on that in a moment.
What you need? Three things… First: CompanionLink Professional (save 5% when you purchase through that link). Second: iClink, which is available today on the Apple AppStore. Third: CompanionLink’s Wireless Sync Service, available for a small monthly fee for CompanionLink Professional users.
Here is a clickable diagram from their site…
As you can see it is a pretty simple setup, and for remote people who want keep up to date with their ACT! database in the field it may make a lot of sense.
If you aren’t an ACT! database user, and want to sync with another software wirelessly, see if the list of products they support meets your needs…
With CompanionLink solution, you can sync your iPhone 3G wirelessly with the following:
- Outlook with Business Contact Manager
- IBM Lotus Notes
- FrontRange GoldMine
- Google Apps
- Palm Desktop
- Novell GroupWise
One of the big pushes made with this new release of the iPhone 3G, is working in corporate envrionments (this includes small businesses), including Sync with Microsoft Exchange. Apple has made it easy for folks like CompanionLink to write compelling software solutions (who would say sync wirelessly with your sales database and iPhone isn’t cool?). Check it out for yourself.
Details on the setup here. Save a few bucks on CompanionLink Software here.
As always, leave your comments below on the blog.
Hi, my name is Travis Campbell, I operate this site. A key to success in any business is to effectively manage your relationships. ACT! is a software product helping millions when it comes to doing just that. This Website is designed to assist both those considering ACT! software for their business, as well as to provide insight to ACT! users who want to effectively use it in their day to day operations. So login, post, browse and enjoy.
Interesting article. Do you have any updates on how you think the new iphone is working out since its release?
I understand that like any technology product the iPhone has had it’s issues. As it pertains to the product referenced in this article, I have nothing bad to report. Others? Please chime in!
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Another option I have used for a few years now: Assuming you are using Microsoft Exchange e-mail, use Doublelook (also by CompanionLink Software) to sync your ACT! database with Microsoft Outlook. Your contacts, calendar items, and notes/histories will sync in real-time, so long as Doublelook and Outlook are running on your office PC. Since Doublelook offers two-way synchronization, you can enter appointments on your calendar, and they will automatically be synchronized to ACT! The only drawback is that appointments created on the phone will be associated with your contact record, so you will need to update them in ACT! to associate them with another contact.
BK-
Thanks for your input. While I haven’t seen it in action of late, initially, I had reports of major performance issues with the double look product. I’m hesitant to recommend any sync product here on the blog, because of the chance of loosing data (I feel this way about *any* product, not just ACT!).
If you are thinking of going this route, be sure to test it (or have it tested) first so you have a clear understanding how it work before implementing in your production data.
Thanks again for your input.
I am using ACT 2008 (v10) and currently have a Palm Treo using Windows Mobile. The sync is OK but takes a long time and will duplicate some contacts. I am looking at going with an iPhone. I also posted this on the ACT site and got one response from a guy that had trouble with Companion lInk and traded it for a Blackberry. I do not want to get the iphone if it is going to be a major hassle but would like to go that way if it will work. Any feedback or suggestions would be great. Also ACT customer service was worthless and wanted to charge me to talk to someone in support.
Thanks
Eric-
You might want to checkout the solution by Companionlink, you can save 5% here:
http://www.actasap.net/cl
It syncs with iPhone if you also use their sync service with iTunes and iPhone app. I wrote about how it works here:
http://actblogger.com/2008/07/11/iphone-3g-is-it-worth-the-upgrade/
You can always give them a call (let them know I sent you), and see how their service is working for customers.
I downloaded the trial version and got my iphone today. Worked like a charm. Took a while for the first sync of contacts but that is OK. Thanks for the info. I will go buy the real thing soon.
Excellent, glad it worked out for you Eric.
Others using this ACT! sync with the iPhone?
I prefer to sync ACT! to the iPhone via Outlook. If you change the iPhone to a Treo or Blackberry, having all your data in Outlook is much better. I use a product by a company called 123-synchronizer.com and it works great! They also
have a solution that allows you to sync ACT! with Exchange. It is called 123 Synchronizer Advanced Edition for ACT! and Outlook. Check them out at http://www.act-to-outlook.com
Pat
Patrick-
Thanks for the tip! However, there is nothing like syncing over the air (no cradle or wire to fuss with), and it really is quite affordable for most.
I am glad now that i never spent all that money on the original iphone, this looks even more appealing, however a lot of my friends at travel HQR and so on are upset because a lot of money was spent on the original and now this comes along its a big leap, thanks for the post.
I'm a small business owner and don't really want to spend another $10 / month and don't need the wireless sync. I have a blackberry and use Companion Link with ACT 9 but would like an iphone. Do you know of any other way to do this without having to go through Outlook which creates one more step? What's listed in the in these other comments just doesn't sound as simple as what I'm currently using.
Chris-
Thanks for chiming in. Unfortunately, I don’t. iPhone users are somewhat savvy, and to this point have been able to get over these hurdles. Developers would do well to listen to folks like yourself, and make this easier. It is possible that Sage might come out with something to address this issue, but to date, I haven’t seen anything.
Wish I had a more pointed recommendation. Don’t be a stranger!