ACT! Contact management software

[cobalt24]

Hello,

Sort of unrelated (but if I could get something like this to sync with iPhone that would be even better.. in the future). ...

A friend in the real estate businesss says they use ACT! to manage contacts, keep track of whom they've called when, what they discussed, when they need to call next, etc. You can check it out at www.act.com - but the point is it's for Windows and I'd like to be able to do the same thing on Mac. Anyone know of any software that does this on Mac? And better yet, integrates with iCal and Address book?

Thanks...

 

[joe]

Hello,

Sort of unrelated (but if I could get something like this to sync with iPhone that would be even better.. in the future). ...

A friend in the real estate businesss says they use ACT! to manage contacts, keep track of whom they've called when, what they discussed, when they need to call next, etc. You can check it out at www.act.com - but the point is it's for Windows and I'd like to be able to do the same thing on Mac. Anyone know of any software that does this on Mac? And better yet, integrates with iCal and Address book?

I was surprised to see ACT! is Windoze-only. They used to make a Mac version.

 

[cobalt24]

I was surprised to see ACT! is Windoze-only. They used to make a Mac version.

Hey so... anyone know if there is something like this available for Mac? Maybe even syncable or connected somehow to Address book and Calendar?

Thanks!

 

[j3rm]

Act! for the iPhone

This company is developing ACT! for the iPhone www.ACTforiPhone.com or www.actwiz.com, it might be worth it to sign up to be notified.

 

[Colin]

I've been using Act since version 2.14 but stopped upgrading at version 6. Most of the reports I've seen talk about huge instability with the newer versions. One of the things to be careful about is if you are are syncing between a home database and work database. Most of these won't sync between three devices (home, work and mobile).

A long time ago, I had a program called Act for Newton, and I used it as a 'one way' sync. I only pushed data to the device, but the changes made on the device were never transfered to the main database. This was the only way to run three versions of Act.

Currently, I export my Act data to Windows Address book and then sync that with my iPhone. I've got about 1000 customers loaded right now.

 

[j3rm]

ACT 7 And up.

Basicaly Sage ( the people who make ACT!) rewote the whole application in ACT! 7 (2005). One of the many infrastucture things they did when they rewrote it was fix the sync issues you are talking about. ACT! now can support 50+, maybe 100+ users all syncing. ACT 10 is currently out and Its a stable & fast product. I hear ACT! 11 will be even faster. I agree ACT 7 was so slow and unstable that it did leave a bad taste in many peoples mouth and that will take time to get over it.

 

[Colin]

That is interesting information, thanks for sharing. I might feel better if/when I move the Vista that there will be an Act product I can upgrade to.

 

[j3rm]

ACT! 10 supports Vista

Hi,Glad to help.
tad bit more help..

ACT! 10 (2008) Supports Vista Version ( 32 bit)
ACT! 11 (2009) Will Support Vista Versions ( 32 & 64 bit) - ACT is still a 32 bit application just runs on 64 bit OS's

 

[Colin]

BTW, do you know of a forum for Act users? Which version are you using?

 

[Colin]

Just for kicks!

To me, Act has always been a little like Star Trek movies, the odd numbered versions suck!

 

[j3rm]

ACt.com

ACT.com has a community forum area now. There is also www.ACTFAQ.com but it doesn't get that much love Nice snapshot.
I am using ACT 10 Premium. We sync and use the web version all on one database.

 

[Colin]

ACT.com has a community forum area now. There is also www.ACTFAQ.com but it doesn't get that much love Nice snapshot.
I am using ACT 10 Premium. We sync and use the web version all on one database.

There is a forum at IT Toolbox, but its mostly populated by Act Consultants who are trying to sell their services. They don't often answer questions willingly. I may keep an open mind on future versions of Act, but for now, 6 continues to serve my needs.

 

[j3rm]

I think MobileMe would be a better solution than a 3rd party solutions. Check it out at Me.com its part of the new iPhone 2.0 stuff. $99 a year

 

[carlsil]

Act

How do you export your act data to the windows address book? I just really want contact info and notes on the iPhone and don't need to be able to do a real "sync".

Thanks

I've been using Act since version 2.14 but stopped upgrading at version 6. Most of the reports I've seen talk about huge instability with the newer versions. One of the things to be careful about is if you are are syncing between a home database and work database. Most of these won't sync between three devices (home, work and mobile).

A long time ago, I had a program called Act for Newton, and I used it as a 'one way' sync. I only pushed data to the device, but the changes made on the device were never transfered to the main database. This was the only way to run three versions of Act.

Currently, I export my Act data to Windows Address book and then sync that with my iPhone. I've got about 1000 customers loaded right now.

 

[Colin]

in Act 6, you go to: File> Data Exchange > Export. I think I used a tab delimited .txt file, and then imported into WAB. If I recall, there was some field mapping to be done, but this was a one time thing. Actually, the whole process was a one time thing. Since the initial export, I've only added people one at a time in WAB and they sync to the iPhone fine.

Keep in mind that under WAB, you can set up categories for the contacts, these will sync to the iPhone, and appear to be THE ONLY way to define subcatagories in the phones directory.

 

[carlsil]

Colin,

Thanks. I am using Windows XP when I get to the "Export" I cannot find "Windows Address Book"...can you help?

in Act 6, you go to: File> Data Exchange > Export. I think I used a tab delimited .txt file, and then imported into WAB. If I recall, there was some field mapping to be done, but this was a one time thing. Actually, the whole process was a one time thing. Since the initial export, I've only added people one at a time in WAB and they sync to the iPhone fine.

Keep in mind that under WAB, you can set up categories for the contacts, these will sync to the iPhone, and appear to be THE ONLY way to define subcatagories in the phones directory.

 

[Colin]

Colin,

Thanks. I am using Windows XP when I get to the "Export" I cannot find "Windows Address Book"...can you help?

I'm not sure if I understand exactly what you're saying, but you cannot export directly from Act to WAB. Export to a text file on the desktop then open WAB from Start>Programs>Accessories and import the delimited file.

 

[carlsil]

I'll try it this weekend.....

I'm not sure if I understand exactly what you're saying, but you cannot export directly from Act to WAB. Export to a text file on the desktop then open WAB from Start>Programs>Accessories and import the delimited file.

 

[polywaxes]

Act 10

ACT.com has a community forum area now. There is also www.ACTFAQ.com but it doesn't get that much love Nice snapshot.
I am using ACT 10 Premium. We sync and use the web version all on one database.

I've been a longtime ACT user...from the days of DOS. I stopped upgrading at 2007 because of all the issues. I'd like to feel better about SAGE but my whole life is in this database....I've had so many issues...
Anyway...is ACT 10 working well for you?
I have an iPhone now and it would be nice to sync with that

 

[drummin2life]

iPhone sync with Act!

I use Act! for Sage 8 (Act 10.0), have PCs in my office that are networked with Act!, have a PC at home with Outlook on it, have a Macbook Pro, and an iPhone. They are all synced with the Act! at work. I don't sync in reverse, which I'd like to do. What I did was buy Companionlink to sync my Act! database with Outlook (on my work computer) which cost me a one-time cost of $99. I then have a mobileme account through Apple. So I sync my Act! to Outlook with Companionlink (it does it on an automatic schedule), and Outlook then syncs automatically through mobileme with my iPhone, my Outlook PC at home and my Macbook Pro. Not a perfect solution, but it works. I'd like to be able to make a change in the database through my phone, but I haven't had the guts to set up two-way syncing with the Companionlink, which would do it.

Now, why doesn't somebody come up with a better solution?