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Susan Clark



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Is ACT! 2007 Software
Right for You?

Wait... 2007 is old.
Wouldn't you like to read about ACT 2008 instead?

ACT! by Sage 2007 released in early September of 2006. While I don't advocate updating software purely for the sake of updating, you should give this version a look...to see if it has some of the features you have been waiting for. The two biggest changes are a direct link to Outlook (YEAH!!) and Field-Level Security by user. But there are a few more interesting features as well. Take a look at my picks for the top 12 reasons to upgrade from your older ACT! software to this new release.

Sincerely,
Susan Clark
President

Order ACT! 2007 Now P.S. Since we are one of the largest resellers of ACT! in the nation, we can offer you great pricing (even better than what ACT! is currently offering in their current mailings).

Top 12 Reasons to Upgrade
  1. Direct Link to Microsoft Outlook® e-mail. No more ACT Email Window interface.
  2. New menu command (Write, Email from template) to quickly send a form e-mail (with graphics if you like) without going through the e-mail feature.
  3. Notes, History, Opportunities, Secondary Contacts and Documents now inherit the Contact Access security of the Contact Record. For example, if the Contact is Limited Access, then all their Opportunites will have the same Limited Access. If you don't have rights to see the contact, you won't see their opportunities in Opportunity List view or on the Company record.
  4. Field Security by user with Full access, Read-Only access, and No Access (Hidden).
  5. Regulate password usage through a global password policy. You can require employees to change passwords every set number of days, define the compexity required of passwords, and set password re-use limitations to ensure your data is secure
  6. Define which fields are linked between the Company and the Contact records.
  7. Last E-mail System field keeps track of your email correspondence
  8. View multiple notes at once and preview the critical ones using the new split-panel notes feature
  9. Enhanced query and lookup capabilities (better keyword searches, current lookup indicator displays in the status bar and ability to edit existing queries)
  10. Scheduled database maintenance (Check and Repair)
  11. Scheduled syncing of Outook calendars with ACT!
  12. Speed...I promise...it is so much faster, you can't believe it. Testing shows over 60% faster than 7.0. Calendar views now open faster than version 6.0
Overview: You have several options to choose from when selecting which ACT! is right for you.

ACT! by Sage
ACT! by Sage Premium for Workgroups
ACT! by Sage Premium for Web

If you choose one of the Premium versions (Web or Workgroups), you can choose to upgrade your database platform to Microsoft® SQL ServerTM Standard. How do you know which to choose? Well, it's all about scalability.

I've created several comparison charts below to help you decide which ACT! is the right one for you and your company. OR, try using our Select Your ACT! Version Wizard to help you decide what you need.

Because we are one of the largest resellers in North America, we can offer you a better deal than the one ACT! is currently offering.

Order ACT! 2007 Now or call
877-661-5200 for more details.



ACT! 2007 vs. ACT! Premium 2007

Key Differentiating Features
This abbreviated chart helps you decide among the options. Instead of focusing on all of the amazing features that you will find in ACT (see that chart next), this chart lists only the major differentiating factors to help you understand the differences when making your selection.

First see if any features are missing from the version you are considering and then check for scalability.
Key Differentiating Features ACT! Prem WrkGrp Prem Web
Software Integration Features
Works with Microsoft Word X X  
Works with Lotus Notes X X  
Syncs with PDAs (Palm or PocketPC) X X  
Peachtree or Quickbooks Integration X X  
Create Contact from Outlook Email X X  
Outlook Calendar Integration X X  
Automatic Outlook Calendar Sync   X  
Scheduling Features
Activity Series Scheduling X X  
Availability tab in Schedule Dialog   X  
Oppotunity Features
Customizable Opportunity Fields   X X
Instant Quote X X  
Security Features
Limited Access for Contacts   X X
Custom User Permissions   X X
Field Level Security   X X
Automation Features
Database Backup   X X
Database Sync   X  
Silent Install Support   X  


Platform Differentiating Features ACT! Prem Web / Windows Prem Web / Windows SQL [ST]
Scalability
Number of Users 1-10 1-30 1-50+
File Size Limitation of Database 4GB 4GB No Limit
Max RAM Used 1GB 1GB OS Max
Max Number of Processors Used 1 1 4



Feature Comparison Chart: ACT! 2007 Product Family

  • Interface did not change from 2006 or 2007 and is very similar to earlier versions of ACT!
  • Feature set is consistent with ACT! 6.0: Important menus maintained and Hotkeys and Function Keys work the same.
  • View the system requirements for all 2007 versions.
  • Been using ACT! and not sure how to prepare your database prior to upgrading? Download our report on The 5 Things You Should Do Before Upgrading.


Bolded items below are new or improved features to the 2007 release.

2007 Features ACT! ACT!
Prem for
Workgroups
ACT!
Prem for
Web
Organize Your Contact Data in One place
Track Complete Information: Including attachments, documents, sales opportunities, emails and more X X X
60+ Pre-defined Fields X X X
Enter virtually unlimited date-and time-stamped Notes and History X X X
Split-Panel Note Preview X X  
Create Company Records X X X
Specify Linked Contact/Company Fields X X X
Update Company Linked Fields from a Contact X X X
15 hierarchies of Groups and Subgroups - Dynamic membership X X X
Attach documents to Activities and History items X X X
Share Notes and Histories Between Contacts X X X
Rich Text Formatting - supports colors, bullets, graphics, URLs X X X
Layout Designer X X X*
Customizable Navigation Bar X X  
Maintain Private Records X X X
Stay in Touch and Grow Business Relationships
Linked Correspondence X X X
Last Communications Fields X X X
Built-in Word Processor that supports tables, HTML images, spell checking, and more! X X X
Mail Merge using ACT! Word Processor X X X
Mail Merge using Microsoft® Word® X X X
Validate and correct addresses during mail merge X X X
Pre-formatted templates X X X
Opportunity Lookups X X X
Customizable Opportunity Fields   X X
Drop-down lists in Opportunity Fields   X X
Instant Quotes X X  
Sales Reports X X X
Pipeline Report X X X
Export to Excel® X X X
Schedule from an Opportunity X X X
Get a Complete View of Customer Interactions
Advanced Keyword Search X X  
Quick Search     X
Save Lookups as Groups X X X
Lookup Ranges X X X
Lookup Indicator X X  
Edit within Queries X X  
Access 38+ standard reports X X X
Use Report Designer X X X*
Field Types - Picture, Yes/No, Memo, E-mail X X X*
Customize Drop-downs; Utilize Multi-Select values X X X
Share Drop-down lists across different fields X X X
Custom Activity Types X X X*
Custom History Types X X X*
Custom Priorities X X X*
Securely Administer and Deploy to Workgroups and Teams
Increased Scalability to accommodate your workgroup or team   X X
5 Security Levels for Users X X X
Custom User Permissions   X X
Grant Contact Access en Masse   X X*
Lookup Contacts by Access   X X*
Password Expiration Options X X X*
Complexity of a Password X X X*
Password Re-use X X X*
Field Level Security   X X
Secure Notes, History, and Opportunities en Masse X X X*
Automatic Database Sync   X X*
Automatic Database Backup   X X*
Automatic Database Maintenance   X X*
Silent Install   X  
Eliminate Duplicate Records X X X*
Prevent Duplicate Records X X X
Access critical information when mobile or remote
Citrix®/Terminal Services support X X  
Synchronize Palm OS® X X  
Synchronize Pocket PC X X  
Works with ACT! for Palm OS X X  
Accounting Integration
Peachtree by Sage X X  
QuickBooks® Professional and QuickBooks Premier X X  
* Asterisks in this chart denote items in the Web version that are available, but must be designed or handled in the desktop version of the software.

Differences from 2005

  1. Enhanced Feature Sets
  2. Increased Compatibility
  3. Improved Data Security
  4. Improved Administration (Premium Only)
  5. Customizable Opportunity Fields (Premium Only)

Differences from ACT! 6 and Earlier Versions

Focus on six major feature areas
  1. Groups
  2. Companies
  3. Opportunities
  4. Calendars and Scheduling
  5. Synchronization
  6. Security

Order ACT! 2007 Now
or call
877-661-5200 for more details,
or try our Select Your ACT! Version Wizard to help you decide what you need.


Don't Forget ACT! 2007 Training Manuals

ACT! 2007 Quick Study GuideWe really did write the book. We authored the "Official ACT! Quicky Study Guide" for ACT! 2007 (as well as for ACT! 2006, 2005, 2004 (or 6) and 2000 (or 5). We also have developed courseware modules that you can use for teaching how to better use ACT!. The courseware comes with laminated cheat sheets to help you learn the new features more quickly...or you can buy these reference guides separately, if you like. If you want additional information about our courseware and learning aids, contact us toll free at: 877-661-5200 or email us.


Certified consultants for the ACT! contact management software through technical support, act software training and user groups.

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For comments or questions, email us
info@cornerstonesolutions.com
or contact us at:
Cornerstone Solutions, Inc., PO Box 270514, Houston TX, 77277-0514
Phone: 713-661-5200    Toll Free: 877-661-5200
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