Problems with Sage Mobile for ACT! (new ACT! Mobile Live)

Part 3 of The Seven Day Blogging Challenge - Write a blog post on the same topic as one my most popular posts

Well, the most popular posts previously have been:

• Why I prefer Blackberry over iPhone for business
• Getting ACT! on your phone

So I thought I would do another on mobile CRM with Sage ACT!.

I have always supported ACT! as a mobile product … both with sync to laptops and remote offices and with sync to PDAs and smartphones. Over the years, I have purchased new devices along this path to use, test and support other users:

• An HP95LX in 1992 for ACT! for HP95
• Apple Newton in 1995 for ACT! for Newton
• Handheld PC running Windows CE in 1997 for ACT! for Windows CE
• Palm M505 in 2002 for ACT! for Palm OS
• Blackberry in 2000 here I used Companion Link
• Another Blackberry in 2003 using Handheld Contact
• Since then, I have used various devices using Blackberry, iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Windows Mobile operating systems.

I believe in the benefits of being able to access and enter my ACT! data wherever I am and understand the problems that mobile users have.

Since 2003, I have been using Handheld Contact. But I have still tested other products to be satisfied that no other product is better for me to switch to.

Despite ACT! for Palm being the best PDA/smartphone solution for ACT!, the ACT! developers have concentrated on products linking to the native address books and losing much of the functionality that real ACT! users should want. Without this, they may as well be using Outlook for their CRM.

They have had “ACT! Mobile Live” in beta and release for around three years and recently renamed it as “Sage Mobile for ACT!”. It still has many of the bugs and issues I reported in the first beta.

So I thought I’d let you know why I really don’t think users should consider it for their use.

• The country code is not supported in phone fields - this means:
  • You can't dial international numbers
  • You can dial any numbers when travelling overseas
  • You can't enter contacts with international numbers
  • It causes problems if also using ACT! for dialling/faxing with other services
• If sync's with Exchange, Outlook or Google, changes to the outlook profile will either delete records from the ACT! database or duplicate them ... results can be inconsistent
• Some activity types are incorrectly handled causing data changes back in ACT!
• Some activity time-zones cause activities to move
• No formatting of fields
• Not a multiuser service... so can't work with web or hosted environments
• No tracking of History on calls, emails and sms made from the phone

There are a number of other bugs and functional omissions but as the challenge (as mentioned top of this post) is for a limited number of words, I’ll do a longer post on this later.

Considering Handheld Contact is only $50 more, I think the choice is a no-brainer

Technorati Tags: ACT!,Sage,Sage ACT!,CRM,Blogging,Mobile CRM,Blackberry Vs iPhone,iPhone,Sage Mobile

Getting ACT! on your phone

A comparison of various PDA links for ACT! by Sage

This is an excerpt of the PDF: Getting ACT! on your phone

Mobility has been one of the great driving forces behind the use of ACT!. From the ability to sync to laptops (originally supported with ACT! 2.0 for DOS) to PDAs (since the HP95LX version in 1992) and even Web versions, people have found the need to provide access to remote users and to staff on the road to be an essential aspect to their management of customer relationships and of their staff.

I previously described many of the options for remote access of ACT! by Sage in the post:
Supporting Remote Users with ACT! by Sage

With the high uptake of "smart phones", there are now a wide variety of options available depending on your needs and I thought it would be useful to take a look at these and compare them.

The contents of this document are the result of over 60 separate installs in various configurations over a two month period.

Disclosure: I have been using Handheld Contact (on both Blackberry and iPhone) since switching from CompanionLink nearly ten years ago. I also support Handheld Contact resellers and users in Asia Pacific. However, I shall endeavour to provide an accurate an un-biased analysis of all the products.

 

The products included in this evaluation:

• Handheld Contact - Professional and Basic
• 123 Synchronizer
• CompanionLink Professional and Doublelook Enterprise
• ACT! Mobile Live – from Sage
• ACT!Link for Palm OS and Pocket PC - free with ACT!

Testing environment:

• Windows XP Professional SP3 (with all updates) on domain
• Office 2007 SP2 (with all updates)
• Exchange 2003 6.5 SP2 (with all updates)
• Blackberry Pearl 8100 with OS 4.5.0.102 via BES
• iPhone 3GS 32GB with OS 3.1.3 via Exchange OWA
• HTC Touch Duel with Windows Mobile 6 Professional via ActiveSync 4.5
• All regional settings set to Australia, Sydney

Areas included in evaluation:

• Supported ACT! versions
  • Method of sync
  • USB
  • Wireless via sync server
  • Via other software such as Outlook, Exchange, Google Apps
• What ACT! data is supported
  • Contact fields
    • number of fields
    • data types and formatting
    • pull downs
    • field level security
  • Activities
    • linking to correct contacts (or multiple contacts)
    • clearing activities
    • viewing and scheduling for other users
    • custom activities
  • Notes / Histories
    • viewing
    • creating on the road (including from emails, phone calls and SMS)
    • linking to multiple contacts
  • Sales Opportunities - viewing and creating
  • International issues - date and phone number formats
• Other functions
• Administration
  • Ease of setup and implementation
  • Ability to control what each user has access to
  • Data reliability
  • Security
• Support issues

 

Conclusions

After doing far more testing that I had planned for this document, my recommendation for the best product is Handheld Contact Professional for the following reasons:

• It is by far the easiest and fastest product to setup and implement and it's just as easy for a single user setup on a local PC as for a 100+ user setup on a network using a computer dedicated to Handheld Contact
• It is the easiest product to administer and maintain without technical skills
• It provides the most "ACT!-like" experience on the phones it supports
• It is a fully integrated application with Contacts, Activities and Notes/Histories in the one interface
• Using its own application means that recording of emails, sms and call history can be automatically tracked and synced back to ACT!
• It is one of only three products I couldn't cause to duplicate data in the ACT! database - the others being Handheld Contact Basic and 123 Synchronizer
• It is one of only two products that operate using a Windows service, which I think is important for network security. The other being ACT! Mobile Live

* A useful point to note for the future: Handheld Contact is working to incorporate the full Sales Opportunity tables as well as those of Accounts Master! towards the end of this year. That will mean Handheld Contact Professional users will be able to view the sales history with their customers, but also to be able to create invoices from the road. Accounts Master! will integrate many accounting/ERP systems into ACT! and Handheld Contact.

It's only negatives are that it's limited to specific devices (Blackberry, iPhone, Windows Mobile Professional) and that the amount of data it requires means that on Blackberry there is a lower contact limit... although this limit is about to be significantly raised in an expected upgrade

My 2nd choice was, to be honest, a surprise to me. I hadn't played with 123 Synchronizer before and was surprised how solid it appeared. If you are using devices that are not supported by Handheld Contact Professional or if your business wants their ACT! data to synchronise with Outlook/Exchange, then this is the way to go.

• It is the only product other than Handheld Contact where I didn't manage to cause to duplicate data in the ACT! database
• While it didn't run as a service, it does have the option to be called from a command line and run without requiring a user account to be logged into Windows.

The only negatives I found are that it can be quite complex to set up in some configurations - I recommend using an ACT! Consultant - but check that they have done implementations of this product first. Also that it relies on Outlook/Exchange and possibly another product if you want wireless - while this would suit most users, you should check this before selecting it.

If you are running ACT! versions prior to Sage or using a device not supported by Handheld Contact and also not using Outlook, then Companionlink is the choice. But be careful to keep good backups in case of duplication issues. Doublelook really needs to have the option to run as a service to be really considered as an “Enterprise” product.

The free links should really be treated as a one-way option (from ACT! to the phone). The ability to cause problems in ACT! going both ways makes this a poor choice

Regarding ACT! Mobile Live, having supported ACT! since 1987, it really pains me to say I would not advise users to consider this as a realistic option under any circumstances. It has been 20 months since Sage first publically announced the beta of this product. They would be doing a favour to their users and VARs if they either started from scratch or dropped it and purchased one of the other products.

For full details, please see:

 

Technorati Tags: ACT,ACT! by Sage,CRM,PDA,iPhone,Blackberry,Pocket PC,Android,CompanionLink,Doublelook,ACT! Mobile Live,123 Synchronizer

ACT! Fanatics LinkedIN Group 1000th member prize

The LinkedIN ACT! Fanatics Group was created as a place where ACT! users, resellers, add-on vendors and Sage staff from around the world could communicate and share their knowledge of using ACT! by Sage

The success of this is proven by the huge volume of valuable information that has been shared and now we are rapidly approaching 1000 members.

As a special present, some of the add-on vendors who are members of this group have offered to put together two packs of ACT! add-ons:

• One for the 1000th member to the group
• One for a random member of the group at the end of the week that the 1000th member joins
  To be eligible for this prize, you must post a reply to the News article referring to this offer in the LinkedIN group stating why you would like to use any of the add-on products in this promotion.
  The decision on the winner will be made by me in conjunction with the add-on vendors taking part

Both packs can be used by the winners or, if won by a reseller, Sage staff member or a user unable to use them, they can be sold at their retail values.*

The following products are included in both packs:

Handheld Contact – Professional Edition (1 yr)	Handheld Contact wirelessly syncs and manages your ACT! Contacts, Activities and Notes/Histories from your BlackBerry, Pocket PC, or Treo Smartphone - it's like having ACT! with you anywhere, anytime! *iPhone version now in beta and due soon
itDial – Advanced	Enhanced calling interface from ACT! via TAPI phone systems and/or Skype VoIP. itDial for ACT! makes keeping track of telephone calls easier than ever. Using  itDial, ACT! users can dial and answer calls, update contact information, add new contacts, create history, and schedule activities for incoming and outgoing calls with just the click of a mouse.
Company Wizard	Mass update and build company records based on a Lookup of Contact and create the contact links
Duplicate Contact Wizard - Expert	Powerful De-duplicating Contacts and Companies in your ACT! database while retaining the extended data (Notes, Histories, Activities, Attachments, etc).
ACT! E-marketing (6 months)	ACT! E-marketing helps you reach out to your contacts, grow your database, qualify new leads and automate your business processes. The offer will be 6 months of: Pro service level Silver Drip Marketing 1 user on the account 1,000 email per day send limit
Stonefield Query (6 months)	Stonefield Query for ACT!® is a user-friendly database report writing, query, and data mining tool designed specifically for ACT! putting Business Intelligence reporting in the hands of the end-user where it belongs. Stonefield Query has been customized specifically for ACT! giving you an intuitive, easy-to-use BI reporting solution that you will love!

* Option to resell does not apply to ACT! E-marketing or Stonefield Query

Technorati Tags: ACT,ACT! by Sage,CRM,Handheld Contact,Blackberry,iPhoney,PocketPC,LinkedIN

Handheld Contact Professional Edition for Windows Mobile update

Version 1.4.0.0 of the Windows Mobile application for Handheld Contact Professional Edition is now available.

To upgrade, sync Handheld Contact from the device first to ensure the latest changes are updated in ACT! and then visit www.handheldcontact.com/ota on your Windows Mobile phone.

This release of the Handheld Contact Professional Edition phone application includes improvements that include:

• Integrated Google Maps with Contacts. Clicking an address will load it in the Google Maps application for Windows Mobile.
• Handheld Contact application now supports mapping as many yes/no fields and date fields as desired up to the field mapping limit. Previously these fields were limited to 10 mappings.
• Read only contacts fields in ACT! are now also read only on the phone.
• Task list is now easier to read and use with updated interface.
• Contact list is now easier to read and use with updated interface.
• Calendar-Agenda view is now easier to read and use with updated interface.
• Increased the activities custom type description to 60 characters.
• Corrected an issue that could potentially stop the Handheld Contact application when placing a call.

For more information of putting ACT! on your smart phone, see Handheld Contact

Technorati Tags: ACT!,ACT! by Sage,CRM,Google Maps,Handheld Contact,PocketPC,Windows Mobile

Sage eSummit 2.0 – ACT! by Sage Agenda

Sage Business Solutions Australia is presenting their 2nd ACT! eSummit

Wednesday 12th August 2009

To see the recording of the webinar, click here

Title	Presenter	Description	Time
Sage Marketplace	Mike Lorge, MD, Sage Business Solutions	As the leading provider of business software for small to medium businesses, Sage has a range of solutions that can automate all areas of your business, including finance, warehousing, ecommerce, distribution etc. This short session will provide a brief overview of the complete range of solution offerings provided by Sage.	10.00 am - 10.15 am
Driving Revenue & Reducing Costs with Email Marketing	Bob Ogdon, Swiftpage	This session highlights a range of effective tips to make your email marketing campaigns easy, powerful, and cost effective.  Learn how Swiftpage, an integrated email marketing and Sales Force Automation solution for ACT! by Sage, allows you to deliver marketing messages to the right contacts at the right time directly from your ACT! database.	10.20 am - 10.35 am
Personalising ACT!	Allen Duet, Global CRM	Check out some of the awesome ACT! plug ins available to you on Devnet. This session will showcase how you can customise ACT! with some of these free plugins that work with the latest version. If you've always wanted to pimp your ACT!, this is a session you can't miss.	10.40 am - 10.55 am
Anywhere and Everywhere with ACT!	Mike Lazarus, GL Computing	Handheld Contact for ACT! allows you to take your ACT! database anywhere and access it from a mobile device such as a Blackberry,  Pocket PC, or Treo Smartphone . Learn how this ACT! mobility solution can increase the productivity of your mobile sales force and field force agents, while keeping them connected and up to date with company and customer records.  By providing simple, easy access to information through wireless devices you can greatly improve the level of service you deliver to your customers.	11.00 am - 11.15 am
Reduce Costs through Accounting Integration with MYOB	Josh Noonan, Red Onion Software	This session will highlight the benefits of integrating ACT! with your accounting system;, including:• Increased efficiency by streamlining workflows between accounts and front office staff• Increased sales opportunities by Integrating essential client information between ACT! and your accounting systems• Allow sales staff to monitor and manage customer credit• Eliminate dual entry of customer information • The complete solution for optimising workflow and increasing operating efficiency	11.20 am - 11.35 am
SMS Marketing with ACT!	Michael Bryant, ACT! Certified Consultant	SMS4ACT allows you to make sure your appointments are confirmed by sending SMS to your customers or contacts straight out of ACT!, this way you can ensure that your communication gets to the person and not caught up in the junk mail.  You can also conduct SMS Marketing to your database and letting them about an upcoming specials or events.  Improve the effectiveness of your communication through SMS, all the while tracking these communications against the contacts in ACT!	11.40 am - 11.55 am

Technorati Tags: ACT!,ACT! by Sage,CRM,Sage,Handheld Contact,Blackberry,Pocket PC,MYOB

Handheld Contact Announces New Editions including a free sync service

The guys over at Handheld Contact have been busy working on new wireless syncing solutions for ACT! and they have just announced Entry and Basic Editions for Windows Mobile smart phones and Pocket PC.

Handheld Contact is known as the best solution for wirelessly syncing information between ACT! by Sage and Blackberry or Windows Mobile smart phones. It's easy, convenient, secure, and makes any ACT! user more productive.

Unlike the current version of Handheld Contact (now renamed Handheld Contact Professional), these new versions sync ACT! Contacts and Calendar (Basic Edition only) to the contact list and calendar on the phone – all wirelessly, no cables. Here are a few details:

Handheld Contact Entry Edition:
This version is free!
It limits syncing to once per day, syncs ACT! Contacts only and operates on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ support plan.

Handheld Contact Basic Edition:
This version syncs ACT! Contacts and Calendar, includes unlimited syncs and is fully supported.

Both products are certified by Microsoft’s Mobile2Market program and independently tested by NSTL and guaranteed not to create duplicate contacts or calendar entries in ACT!

Discover which edition of Handheld Contact is perfect for you.

Versions that support BlackBerry smart phones are expected later this year.

Technorati Tags: ACT!,ACT,ACT! by Sage,CRM,Handheld Contact,Pocket PC,Windows Mobile,Smartphone,wireless

New Handheld Contact Consoles

New versions of the HHC console have been released. Here are the release notes.

Version 2.1.15.0

• Fixed a syncing problem that would occur if one users account was disabled.  Now disabled accounts set to sync will not interrupt syncing for other users.
• Fixed a syncing problem with Private Data being sent to the handheld when the Sync Private Data checkbox was unchecked. Now, if the checkbox is unchecked Private Data will not be sent.
• Fixed a problem with creating the auto-sync group if the computer's time was set to a 2 digit year instead of a 4 digit year. Now, the auto-sync group will be created regardless of the Date/Time settings.
• Fixed a rare problem with the middleware server not sending data to the desktop console.  Now the desktop console will continue to request the data until the middleware has responded.
• Increased the maximum number of contacts that can sync to BlackBerry and Windows Mobile - Handheld Contact for BlackBerry can now sync 3000 contacts and Handheld Contact for Windows Mobile can now sync 15000 contacts!
  Note: 15,000 contacts for Windows Mobile is only available for ACT! 2008/2009

Technorati Tags: Handheld Contact,Blackberry,Windows Mobile,Pocket PC,ACT!,ACT,ACT! by Sage,CRM,Mobile CRM

Handheld Contact Console Update required for ACT! 2009 11.1

Updated versions of the consoles have been released today.
They are available for download from the GL Computing’s Handheld Contact page.

The changes are few, but important.  Please see the notes below:

Version 2.1.14.0
    * Fixed a bug related to remote databases that in some cases prevented new or modified activities from syncing to the main database.  Now, activities from remote databases will sync accurately.
    * Introduced a workaround for a change in ACT! 11.1 that prevented syncing of new or modified contacts from the handheld.  Now, contacts will sync from the handheld to ACT! 11.1.

Version 2.0.23.0
    * Fixed a bug related to remote databases that in some cases prevented new or modified activities from syncing to the main database.  Now, activities from remote databases will sync accurately.

Sharing ACT! – Network or Sync (Part 2)

Synchronisation is done when users need remote access to the database. This means they will operate on a local copy and have the ability to send/receive any changes made with their copy to a master copy. They may have access to all the data, or maybe just a subset of the data that they need.

Typically, the the times when you need to implement sync will be for uses like these:

• Users who operate from remote offices or from home
• Laptop users who need to work on the road
• Hosting the main database with an external provider (possibly use Premium for Web) and syncing to a copy for better control of imports/exports and mail merges.
• PDA or smart phone users with devices such as Blackberry, Pocket PC or iPhone

It is important to note that these instructions will try to explain the different options to make it easier for you to make your selection. But while it is certainly possible for a user with enough time to set this up, you’ll nearly always get a better implementation set up in less time if you involve an ACT! Certified Consultant. See How to pick the right CRM consultant?

PDA or Smart Phone users should use Handheld Contact as it is the most reliable solution. For some of it’s advantages, see: Why Handheld Contact for ACT! and PDAs

For the other uses, ACT! has a built in sync. For this to be successful, you must make sure that every user is on the same exact build of ACT! (check the full build in Help | About) and, if using a sync server, that this is also of the same build. When a new update, patch or hot fix is released, you need to be sure to apply to all systems and sync server

To set up sync, first you need to have set up the shared database on the LAN as per the previous Sharing ACT! – Network or Sync (Part 1)

Then you determine what data is to be in each Subscriber (remote) database. You do this by creating sync sets as per ACT! KB 14072. You could use the same sync set for each remote user, or have different ones so each remote site only has the data it needs.

Note all users’ My Records will always be sent to all the remote databases – and all their extended data (notes, histories, embedded or attached emails, sales ops, etc). If you need the extended data in My Records to be hidden from other users, please contact GL Computing for a security plug-in we developed to secure this data

Next, you create the Remote databases (you need a separate database for each remote). This is done as per ACT! KB 14116

Then you need to determine the way the remotes will connect to the master. There are three options:

Application Sync

• This is the only option available if you do not have a Premium version of ACT!
• Synchronisation this way requires that ACT! on the system hosting the Publisher database is open and logged into the database in order to sync.
• Set up is fairly easy as per: ACT! KB 15192
• For remote database that don’t come in and connect on a LAN, have a look at the VPN link below
• To sync without having the Publisher open and logged in, you will need to use ACT! Premium and one of the options below

Network Sync

• Uses a Network Sync server that runs as a service
• Sync service means that you don’t need ACT! open and running on the Publisher database in order for Subscriber databases to sync with it.
• Basic set up is the same as for Application Sync, but you use the Network Sync service, which you setup as per ACT! KB 22977
• Normally, this is used for users who come into the office to sync, or who connect to the office LAN via VPN
• It can also be configured to connect over the internet as per ACT! KB 17536 – if security is a major issue, this Sync server can be in a DMZ if your firewall has that ability.

Internet Sync

• Uses a sync services that provides access via an IIS web server
• This option has similar advantages to using the Network Sync service, but can be a bit more complex to set up. To do this, the instructions are as per ACT! KB 22978

VPN

• Sometimes, with Application or Network sync, you may want to set up a VPN for added security or to make it easier to get past a firewall. If you don’t have a VPN system, you can use Hamachi® VPN as per ACT! KB 23333

There is much more to sync when it comes to troubleshooting, understanding the sync panel and the sync logs. But the information in this post should hopefully give you the basics. Please add a comment if you think there’s anything extra that you’d like added.

Technorati Tags: ACT,ACT!,ACT! by Sage,Sync,synchronization

The History of ACT! – updated July 2013

A couple of users asked me about the history of ACT!, so I thought I'd post what I could remember:

• 1986 Conductor Software (Mike Muhney and Pat Sullivan) developed QuotePro in Lotus Symphony. When this failed to be successful, they came up with another idea...
• 1987 ACT! for DOS 1.0 (April 1st) - previously codenamed “YES!” – a recursive acronym for "Yes, Everybody Sells!". ACT! was also originally an acronym - first for "Activity Control Technology" and later "Automated Contact Tracking", before becoming just "ACT!"
• 1988 Conductor Software renamed to Contact Software International on the advice of marketing gurus and authors, Jack Trout and Al Ries. They were also helped, in the early days by PR “Top Guns”, Regis McKenna - where Steve Jobs turned to for help for his fledgling company called Apple
• 1990 ACT! for DOS 2.0 (August) - first version with network support
• 1991 ACT! for Windows 1.0 - CodeBase IV engine compatible with dBase
• 1992 ACT! for Windows 2.0 - Added network support for the Windows product
• 1992 ACT! for HP95LX - the first mobile version for PDAs
• 1992 ACT!PAK! - first add-on for ACT! developed by Oakhurst Systems
• 1992 1st ACT! - cut down version for OEMs and single users.
• 1993 Symantec purchased Contact Software International
• 1993 First On-line support forums on CompuServe
• 1993 ACT! for MAC - compatible database with 2.0 for Windows
• 1995 ACT! for Newton
• 1995 ACT! Mobile Link - two way sync for remote users
• 1996 ACT! for Lotus Notes - later sold to original developers, ErgoTech
• 1996 ACT! 3.0 (November) - Win95 product with added back-wards compatibility to run on Win 3.1
• 1997 Symantec adds support for ACT! in WinFax Pro
• 1997 ACT! PalmPilot Link (later ACT! Palm Link)
• 1997 ACT! for Windows CE (July)
• 1998 ACT! 4.0 - Added support for Windows 98 and Office 98
• 1998 ACT! for Psion by Advansys 
• 1998 WiredContact makes ACT! available via web browser and hosting
• 1999 Symantec sold ACT! to SalesLogix (later Interact Commerce Corporation) - headed by Pat Sullivan, original co-founder of ACT!
• 2000 ACT! 2000 (5.0) - Windows XP support added
• 2002 QuickBooks Link for ACT! - the first accounting link FOR ACT!. Developed by Terry McKiernan of PinPointTools
• 2002 Interact Commerce Purchased by Sage Group Plc (Best Software in North America)
• 2002 ACT! 6.0 (later ACT! 2004) – Office 2003 support added
• 2002 ACT! for Palm OS
• 2003 Handheld Contact adds support for ACT! on Blackberry
• 2003 ACT! for Web 1.0 for ACT! 6.0 - originally by dbDynamics
• 2004 ACT! by Sage 2005 (7.0) - Complete re-write with .Net 1.x and MS SQL 2000
• 2005 ACT! by Sage 2006 (8.0)
• 2006 ACT! by Sage 2007 (9.0) - Changed to .Net 2.0 and MS SQL 2005
• 2007 ACT! by Sage 2008 (10.0) - MS Vista and Office 2007 support. 10.02 added ability to add custom sub-tables via the SDK.
• 2008 Launch of Community.act.com site (January) – Much improved communication between senior management and users
• 2008 ACT! by Sage 2009 (11.0) – New Dashboard. Significantly improved Outlook integration and major improvements in stability, reliability, ease of install and speed. Added Vista x64 support and Safari for MAC users. Also free plug-in to provide links to Social Media such as LinkedIN
• 2009 ACT! by Sage 2009 (11.1) – Added Relationship Tab. Expected in March?
• 2009 Handheld Contact adds support for iOS – iPhone (iPad later)
• 2009 ACT! by Sage 2010 (12.0) – eMarketing plus ability to set database currency
• 2010 Sage ACT! 2011 (13.0) – Rename of product, Smart Tasks, sync of contacts and activities with Outlook
• 2011 Sage ACT! 2012 (14.0) – Google contacts, activity sync and History, Scratchpad, Universal Search
• 2012 Handheld Contact adds support for Android phones and tablets
• 2012 Sage ACT! 2013 (15.0) – Social Updates and Smart Tasks improvements
• 2013 Sage ACT! 2013 (15.1) – Adds support for later operating systems, Office and browser versions
• 2013 Handheld Contact adds support for Blackberry V10 phones
• 2013 Sage sells ACT! and SalesLogix to Swiftpage
• 2013 Act! 2014 (post soon to this blog) – Re-branding, many productivity and administration enhancements to desktop, user/layout administration via Premium Web, Mobile web improvements

I don't know how useful this is to anyone, but was kind of nostalgic digging up my memories.

Technorati Tags: Sage,ACT!,ACT,Symantec,CRM,Contact Manager,History,Social Media

Updated - Sage to discontinue ACT! for Palm OS®

I guess, seeing this report, you can understand why:
http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=827912

The latest version, ACT! for Palm OS 3.0, is compatible with ACT! by Sage 2008 (10.0) and ACT! by Sage Premium 2008 (10.0). Compatible versions of this product will not be developed for ACT! by Sage 2009 (11.0), ACT! by Sage Premium 2009 (11.0), or for subsequent releases of ACT!. A letter will be sent to all ACT! for Palm OS customers in mid-December to communicate the discontinuation.

Customers who have upgraded or decide to upgrade to ACT! 2009 may access their ACT! data using ACT! Link for Palm OS which is included with their purchase of ACT!. ACT! Link for Palm OS works with built-in applications that run on the Palm OS. Not all features in ACT! for Palm OS are available in ACT! Link for Palm OS.

Support for current versions will expire next November - http://www.act.com/support/obs/
*at least in North America, might be different in other regions

I don't see much of an issue with this ... the Palm OS market has become so small and even most of their devices are based on Windows Mobile now.

With most new users wanting wireless sync, Handheld Contact has become the product for people who want the type of functionality previously in ACT! for Palm OS (and much more).

While HHC isn't on the Palm OS, it is on Windows Mobile and the two big players in the smart phone market - Blackberry and iPhone.

Wed Feb 11th - There will be no more PalmOS devices released by Palm. They're focused on webOS and Windows Mobile.

Why Handheld Contact for ACT! and PDAs

Last week, I was asked by a user why I preferred Handheld Contact over other PDA solutions for ACT!, so I came up with this list of some of the advantages:

• No need to set up on each user’s PC – faster installation and implementation. Install on the server and just send a link to install remotely on the devices
• Central administration – including profiles for administering multiple users and the ability to delete the database from a device remotely
• Only solution that supports – Terminal services, Citrix, Web
• Syncs wirelessly up to every 15 minutes
• Uses its own database, so no sudden duplication of the database as happens in most of the link products or those that send to the built-in PIM on the phone.
• Automatically send important contacts based on activities scheduled or dynamic groups even if not part of the originally selected contacts
• Record Calls, Emails and SMS made from HHC on the device and sends to ACT!’s history
• Up to 76 ACT! fields (26 standard and 50 user-definable)
• Pop-ups (pull-downs) optionally sent to better support data entry
• Adding activities on the device sync correctly to the right contact
• Ability to create activities WITH multiple contacts
• View and Schedule activities for other ACT! users
• Support ACT!’s Custom Activity Types

Quite simply, it's the most feature-rich PDA solution for ACT! and requires less support than any other software product I have used.

More info and trial download available from www.GLComputing.com.au/HHC

Update 20th May 2010: Also see A comparison of different PDA links for ACT! by Sage

Technorati Tags: ACT,ACT! by Sage,Handheld Contact,Blackberry,iPhone,Pocket PC,Treo,CRM