ACT 2008 Software Recommendation Questions
July 10, 2007 by Travis
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Since announcing the ACT Software teleseminar last week, a few questions have come up, that I thought would be easiest to address here at the blog. Here goes:
QUESTION: You are an ACT Certified Consultant, right? How can you provide an unbiased review of ACT?
ANSWER: This is true, I am an ACT Certified Consultant, however I’m really interested in productivity gains, which lead to greater profits. If there is a tool that I feel can make me or my customer more productive, I’m going to recommend it. This is what I intend to provide on this call…how features might increase productivity
(in the right situation), and what you need to be aware of.
QUESTION: Is this a gimmick? Aren’t you just going to try and sell me the software on this call?
ANSWER: There is one thing I’ve learned in selling anything, whenever possible let there be no surprises for customers after they buy. If people decide to purchase the ACT Software, and I’ve done my job, it is because they have qualified themselves, not because of some crafty maneuvers on my part. I will, however, do my best to make a compelling offer. And who knows you might even win a copy of ACT 2008 in the raffle!
QUESTION: What if I already purchased the ACT 2008 software, and I prefer to buy from you?
ANSWER: I am flattered. However, I would prefer you to keep the software you have. Maybe I’m foolish, the bottom line is, if you like the product and the only reason you are returning it is because you found a better deal elsewhere AFTER, I think that is wrong. If you signed up to purchase from someone else, I think you should hold up your end of the deal (unless the product doesn’t deliver…).
Feel free to post more questions here on the blog by leaving a comment below.
I currently have ACT! by Sage Premium for Workgroups 2007 (9.0). I do not have a workgroup. The reason I purchased this version was because I was told by a Sage telephone salesperson (last Summer) that only the premium version would allow me to add user defined Opportunity Fields (not simply modify the eight already there). Well, I was duped and paid the extra for the premium version.
3 Questions:
1) Does the new version allow this (adding user defined Opp Fields)? Or have they stated when they plan on adding this feature?
2) Can I upgrade from Act 2007 PREMIUM to 2008 STANDARD?
3) Will I loose any of my many customized tabs that I have added or customized layouts?
Thanks a bunch!
~ Reid
Reid-
Forgive me for not responding sooner to your comment. I am sorry you were
mis-informed. It happens often and is part of the reason I have put together
the WNWA site. To be fair, it is a fine distinction (modify the fields
vs. create new ones).
1.) I know of no changes to the current (v9) 8 sales opportunity user fields customizations, I would verify for you, but my test environment is not available at the moment…
I know you can change a standard character field to a date field a new feature in 2008. But I do not know if that applies to the 8 custom opportunity fields.
2.) You can do this upgrade path, however if you can swing the extra expense, I would consider sticking with Premium tier product. Your choice.
3.) DB customizations would move forward as a part of the conversion from v9 to v10. You would loose the abilities that are exclusive to the Premium tier product (primarily for workgroup and synchronization environments).
Hope that helps.
currently have ACT! by Sage 2006 Standard can i Upgrade to ACT by Sage 2008 premium for workgroup.? or i need to buy the complete version?
Frank, good question, likely others have the same question. Allow me to broaden the answer for you. Any previous version of ACT (back to v3) can be upgraded to any ACT 2008 software version (ACT by Sage 2008, or ACT Premium 2008, or ACT for Web Premium 2008)
Hi,
Please let me know whether synchronization is possible thro multiple currencies in ACT! 2009.
Saravan-
Nice to hear from you. My understanding is that the database reflects currency and other localization information based on Windows settings.
I’m not familiar with your particular need, but since you’d want to be certain, I would test it first, or call Sage directly for this answer (most of my customers who synchronize, while they may travel worldwide, are typically single country companies).
As you likely know, ACT! 2009 is now available. I know with each version they continue to improve how it behaves across multiple localizations. Not sure that helps too much. Let me know what you discover.