ACT Database synchronization…Is it Reliable?
September 26, 2007 by Travis
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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.
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Hi, my name is Travis Campbell, I operate this site. A key to success in any business is to effectively manage your relationships. ACT! is a software product helping millions when it comes to doing just that. This Website is designed to assist both those considering ACT! software for their busienss, as well as to provide insight to ACT! users who want to effectively use it in their day to day operations. So login, post, browse and enjoy.
We have been using ACT 6 for years, synchronising between 2 offices in 2 different countries via e mail. While it was not perfect, it was not bad. We are now looking at moving to ACT 10, but see that the synch by e mail function has gone. After days of searching, we can’t find any thorough details of the hard and software requirements of synchronizing via the internet. (is a fixed IP needed…) can anyone shed any light on this?
Mark-
You are correct. They have changed the model entirely, you can sync over a local network, or via the internet (HTTP). If you are doing two computers, you can do local network sync via VPN. You get a VPN connection to the other machine, and then sync the databases. This removes the need for a fixed IP.
It works really well, and of course is faster if you have decent bandwidth.
Another option is to go with a hosted model, so your main DB is on the internet behind a secured connection, and you sync your two computers to that device. So all you need is an internet connection and you can sync. Works very well, and puts some at ease when they thing of a laptop being damaged, lost or stolen…fairly easy to recover the data.
The act database software continues to improve with this feature. In ACT 2008 it has improved sync performance and efficiency.
Also, for customers who don’t want to sync, or want both options, they can consider ACT for Web. They even offer both products in a new product called ACT Dual Access.
Hope that helps.
-Travis
PS: I have some friends
who do a good job hosting
(not all do) ACT databases,
contact me through http://www.ACTasap.net
if you need info on this.
I am just upgrading to ACT 2008, and I want to be able to sync with the MDA Touch mobile phone which uses windows mobile v6. Sage tell us that ACT 2008 will sync with WM v5, but they cannot confirm that it is compatible with WM v6.
Do you have any news on whether ACT 2008 will sync successfully with WM v6?
Hey Mike-
Good question… From what I can tell….
http://www.act.com/2008/system/
There is nothing there indicating support for WM v6.
I would encourage you to checkout what these guys offer, very solid product, and all they do is sync with the latest phones…
Hope that helps.
I have a single copy of ACT 2007 v9 loaded onto two of my home PC’s, each connected to the other by a LAN. What do I need to do to sync their common database……….preferably in realtime?
Hi,
We have 4 users with recently installed ACT 2008 (not Premium). I naively assumed we could just house the database files in a Windows Live FolderShare on each computer and all would we wonderfully in synch.
I was certainly premature in my assessment of FolderShare as a valid synchronization conduit. Once we tried to start working it was a serious trainwreck of errors and lost data. Fortunately I backup and was able to get one machine back on track. Three of us have ceased to even launch the product for now.
I downloaded ACT Synchronization Architecture from the Sage site and did an initial readthrough. It appears that our 4 copies of ACT 10 (2008) cannot synchronize unless we are all attached to the same local network. Well, that’s not very helpful. We all travel and have home offices. It looks like only ACT Premium can synch via the Internet.
The new plan seems to be upgrading to Premium, then purchasing an inexpensive PC to act as a 24/7 server running the Publisher database with synch enabled.
Any tips or literature / posts you can refer me to would be most helpful.
Thank you,
Fred
Fred-
Thank God for backups! You can indeed sync with ACT by Sage (non Premium), it just requires a network connection or VPN, and the master DB must be up and ready to receive syncs.
The alternative, and preferred approach would be to go with the ACT 2008 Premium version, so you can sync via HTTP (simple internet connection), or with a service running on the master DB system.
Another (albeit more expensive) software approach you might consider is ACT 2008 Premium Dual Access, which includes ACT 2008 Premium for Web, and Windows, along with service, and the next version of ACT! (upgrade assurance) when it comes out.
You can find out more about the Dual Access option here.
You then need to determine if you are going to host the master database, or if you would be better suited using a 3rd party. Feel free to call me if you need clarification, or further direction.
Regards,
Travis
Steven M-
See if my previous comment to Fred doesn’t set you in the right direction. Sync is not a super straightforward thing. You might search the ACT.com knowledgebase for an article that addresses your specific need.
Hope that helps.
-Travis
I simply have a desktop and a laptop, I just want to keep the 2 computers up to date with information in Act. What is the “simple” to keep these 2 Act databases up to date?
Jeff-
To be honest, I always sometimes hesitate to answer technical questions, especially those pertaining to synchronization. The last thing I want to do is have someone loose data because of uninformed recommendation… That being said, sync isn’t a big deal once, it is setup, but setting it up can be tricky for some.
Let me direct you to http://www.act.com search on their support knowledgebase for how to setup sync, and they have some pretty descriptive articles there. Be sure you’re version of ACT! is 1.) Still supported, 2.) Fully patched.
Hope that helps, and thanks for understanding.
What is the best version available for synchronizing data? I currently use ACT! 2000 Build 5.0.3.423 for storing customer information. I now have a sales team of 5 and want to role out ACT! across the group. We travel but are in the office on occasion. I notice this can be done a multitude of ways. What’s the best way and is the current version suitable?
Thanks.
Please can you let me know if ACT! Version 10 can sync with Windows Mobile 6
Thx
Tanya
Tanya-
It does best with an addon product… check it out here:
http://www.ACTasap.net/cl
Chaz-
I would go with latest version of ACT! Premium EX, or ACT! Premium EX Corporate Edition. You can do http sync which is very convenient from any internet connection. The store and forward (email sync) model in the version you have is no longer an option.
Let me know if you have further questions. You might also checkout http://www.WhatsnewWithACT.com for a no frills review (and interview with the main guy over CRM at Sage).
I am using ACT 2008 Premium and have an issue where one of my remote databases is not getting the Address fields from the main database. I can enter info on one computer and sync it and the main database will get it. The other remote gets everything but the address fields. it is really strange and just started to happen recently.