Sage ACT! 2011 Software – Getting Started Faster
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.
Note: NOW LIVE! complete video review of Sage ACT! 2011 here, it covers all that’s new, includes a demo of the webaccess function in Sage ACT! 2011, as well as a bonus video for those starting their search for a contact management system entitled, 7 Elements of a Good Contact Manager. It’s here
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.
