ACT Database synchronization…Is it Reliable?
I get emails from subscribers from time to time, and sometimes a theme will surface, so I take that as a hint and share it on the blog so that others might benefit from it.
This most recent inquiry arrived in two separate emails from subscribers yesterday, albeit the same question. Does database sync in ACT 2008 work?
For those that aren’t aware, database synchronization gives remote ACT users the ability to synchronize changes with the main database back in the office while they are in the field, or upon returning to the office. ACT 6 and older systems did sync, but it was often a pain to get setup properly for users. The newer versions can be configured to sync whenever there is an Internet connection detected. It can be as simple as a single user having a laptop and a desktop sync, or a 100+ user ACT system with a database on the internet available at all times to sync.
Back to the email… one user is using ACT 5 and emailing contact data to parties within the company. This seemed curious, so I replied and asked him why, here was his reply:
My experience with sync is it has not worked very well in the past and that is why I emailed everything.
Now to be fair, setting up sync is not for the faint of heart, especially in ACT 5. And, yes, it indeed had it’s share of issues. In general, once it was setup properly, it would generally run fine.
Here is what I told them both (edited slightly):
Synchronization was totally redesigned as of ACT 2005, and (not completely flawless) has improved from there.
I think Sage knew very well that the days of sync reliability had to be addressed for them to move the product forward. It was a b-e-a-r in v5 and even v6.Today, I have customers hosting databases on the Internet and having their remote sales staff sync with it from any internet connection.This is also available in the LAN.The bigger deal is purchasing the right product and depending on the complexity of your ACT 6 or older database, knowing that the migration from the current version will take some thought (hence the eBook).You can do sync on all current versions. The premium allows you to schedule sync to run in the background, as well as do it over the HTTP protocol (internet based).Does this help?
What about you? Do you have similar concerns about database synchronization? Were you aware that the functionality exists in the ACT Database Software?
It can be one of the most compelling reasons for people to upgrade and get rolling with a solid CRM, or contact management system. Feel free to leave your comments here on the blog.
