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Good Hardware Makes ACT by Sage Run Faster

Many people ask me what can be done to make the ACT! by Sage Contact Management system run faster. This is especially true for those who have used ACT! 6 (or older) for years, and are puzzled to know that the newer versions (now running Microsoft SQL) are slower. My answer… “it depends.” Actually I have an exhaustive optimization checklist that I run through with my clients systems. Some are database specific, and others are environmental specific (the computer itself).

One of the key components is, hardware. To make ACT! move faster than a snails pace, you need a system with plenty of memory, speedy drives, a solid processor, and middle of the road video card. I have bounced around some of the more popular computer hardware vendors, and they have many of the same challenges. Mass production, smaller hardware margins, and support that can be, well, difficult at times… It seems with all the competition, product quality suffers.


I’ve recently come across a vendor that I intend to use in the future. I’ve heard great reviews from many, so I headed to the site to check it out. While there, I noticed they are having promotions through the end of the year, and I thought, if you are trying to get in some purchases to fall on the 2006 tax schedule, computer hardware is a great one to invest in.

If you can get beyond the funny name, if all accounts are true, they have a great product. Feel free to blog comments about your own hardware experiences in using ACT!. What has worked well and what hasn’t.
http://www.actasap.net/aw

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6 keys for 2007…and beyond

If you are an entrepreneur, independent or corporate professional and you know that the value isn’t your database, but in the relationships you have with those in your database, I have something with you in mind.

On December 5th I am hosting a Teleseminar entitled “6 Keys to Maximize the ROI of Your Contact Management System…That Most Users Don’t Know About” with special guest Peter Kim.

There are currently 74 Teleslots remaining.
Here is the VIP registration link:
> > > http://www.ACTCoachingClub.com/xoom

This is not a technical presentation, so it doesn’t matter if you use Outlook, ACT, Goldmine, or even a paper system, on this call Travis will share his time tested contact management keys that apply to any business.  And I’ll grill Peter on his plugin product for ACT! which so many seem to be using.

**And as a special BONUS one lucky winner will receive a copy of ACT! by Sage 2007 Premium EX, which retails for $399.**

Here is the VIP registration link:
> > > http://www.ACTCoachingClub.com/xoom

So if you are serious about business, and maximizing productivity in the new year, you will want to get in on this call.

The Teletraining will take 60 minutes or less (Tues Dec 5th), and what you learncould make all the difference in 2007.

Warmest Regards,
Travis Campbell

P.S. Please remember to print out the 12-page notes sheet after registering for
the teletraining..
> > > http://www.ACTCoachingClub.com/xoom

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Is ACT! by Sage 2007, "junk"?

I recently received and email from a subscriber of http://www.whatsnewwithact.com/.  I thought I would publish it here, as perhaps he is part of the few bold enough to ask these questions, yet many might benefit from this discussion…below is the text and my reply. 

I have since read several reviews that ACT 2007 is junk. I believe it because I have been a user since version one and upgraded annually. I bought vs. 2005 and also 2006 but returned both. I had hoped that 2007 would fix the slow buggy product. I think they should fire all the software engineers and start over.

I am currently using vs. 6 but want to update. Any suggestions on what I should try?

Here is my reply:

 

Indulge me for a moment, and allow me to encourage you to consider another approach.

1.) All software has bugs, unfortunate but true.
(http://weblog.infoworld.com/gripeline/2006/03/21_a378.html)
2.) Pick your poison.

In accepting these realities, you will be in a better (not bitter :-) ) position to make your choice.  Make sure you pick the software that meets your business objectives first, and verify you can deal with the bugs, AND that the company will be around long after your purchase.

I’ve found that the people who have a bit of distaste in their mouth with ACT! (or any piece of software) are more often ‘technical’ in outlook than ‘sales oriented’.  Those who have a ‘selling’ outlook seem to get over the technical hurdles a bit easier.

Now if you are still reading, to take you forward, I would setup a test system, or at a minimum test the migration of your v6 database, and see how it does, so that you know what to expect when you want to migrate for real. 

As a last resort, you may want to see about hiring someone to migrate the database if it gives you fits, this may be a good investment, even for the most tech savvy.
Visit: www.act.com/acc to find a consultant in your area.

Hope that helps.

Warm Regards,
Travis

PS: I hope you find my review of the software
to be helpful in your decision making process.

What about you?  Have you completed the upgrade?  Done a migration, or are you sticking with an older version?  If so, why?  Feel free to comment from your own experiences.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Travis

 

 

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The Holidays Can be an Opportunity to Build Relationships with Customers and Prospects

Many enjoy the benefits of a good contact management system in their business.  Ultimately it is of no use if it does not help you maintain existing relationships while extending your reach to others.  One way you can build relationships with others is simply by emailing something to them that is:
1.) Valuable
2.) Unique
3.) To the point
Now I’ll leave it to you to figure out the content of your message, but be sure it follows those guidelines, or you have a good chance of falling on deaf ears.  If I were to sneak one more in there it would be “meaningful” give them something that you have personal experience with, and you believe in, or perhaps something a trusted advisor or friend has had a positive experience with.

Example:
*snip*
I have a friend who put together a piece of emailing software that ties into ACT! by Sage 2007 Peachtree, Quickbooks, Filemaker Pro, and many more.  Basically, his service is responsible for sending the emails, and because of that he can report on key things, like who is opening the email (and how many times), who is clicking the links.  He even has a scoring system to rank the most active subscribers.  He has extended an offer to utilize his service at no cost until 2007.  NO money or credit card information is required, and it only takes about 15 minutes (average) for folks to get started.  GO HERE to get started, and feel free to post (how to) your experience here. GO HERE>>
*snip*

So what I’m trying to do in the above paragraph is offer something of value, that is to the point, and unique (have you heard of such a product that ties in with so many systems?).  By the way the (how to) is a real link if you aren’t sure how to post to this blog. 

Have a great Thanksgiving!

 -Travis

PS: Go there if you want to see the holiday greeting link I recently send my subscribers to.

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Build a Business, Not a Database

In just one week, I will be making a few slots available for my inner-circle ACT Coaching Club.  As with any project there can be glitches.

Yesterday, I had just finished shooting roughly 4 hours of video (over a couple days), and was ready to start the editing process when I discovered that none of the videos could be opened from any of my computers (I have several).  This resulted in a 2 hour call to tech support, and it still isn’t resolved! 

All this, and the launch is just one week from today . . .

I felt like I think some of you have felt when it comes to applying contact and database management to your business.
“How do I best use ACT! to …”
o …drill down and find out what is really going on in my market
o …remain a leg up on my competition
o …increase marketshare
o …close an additional 2-3 sales per month

Now this is not “technical stuff”, that comes with the territory, and is the nature of dealing with software products.  This is more “how does this tool fall into my business management and growth strategy?” Or “How
can I use it to build a business (not a database).”

As it is in my situation yesterday I had a technical problem with a tool.

Was it frustrating? 
Yes. 

Was it time consuming?
Yes. 

Will it prevent me from my objective?
No.  Not if I have anything to say about it. 

Why? 
Because it is this tool which allows me to capture and deliver value. 

Value to those who filled out the survey I sent out last week. 

Value to the many who will and have learned the ACT! by Sage Contact and Customer Management system as a result of it.

Have you ever had a similar scenario with your business tools?  Perhaps with ACT!?  Do you believe, if used properly, a database management system would make a difference in your business? 

If so, read on.

There are key challenges for both the independent and corporate professional;
o How can I or my assistant learn the ACT! by Sage Contact and Customer Management system without reading a book, or going offsite to a half or full day training? 
o Where can I go for assistance on using ACT! for my particular business need?
o Are there ACT! by Sage  enhancement products I should be using to save time?  And how do I know if they are any good?

The ACT Coaching Club is designed to address those challenges.  In tomorrows email I will share with you:
o What “time-shifted” media is, and how you can benefit from it before your competitors do… whether you become an ACT Coaching Club member, or not.
o How the video tutorials are designed to get you up to speed, fast…

Speak Soon,
Travis

P.S.:
If you have questions, or
comments you wish to leave
here is a video tutorial on
how to do so.

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