Summary of How to Sync Outlook Data with Android Phones or Tablets

While Sage ACT! 2012 is available for purchase, there are still many die hard Outlook users. More and more are purchasing Android devices, and are stumped to learn there is no out of the box solution to sync Outlook with Android based devices. I got on the phone with Rushang Shah of CompanionLink, and talked about this very issue. Fortunately he has a solution, and special offer for our readers and subscribers. Here’s the summary of the video (scroll):

• If you have an Android smartphone or tablet, you might be surprised to learn of the challenges in syncing Outlook data with your new Android device. is it possible to get ACT! on my iPhone or other device!
• Guest Rushang Shah (not Shaw as in the video) of CompanionLink from Portland, Oregon, USA, talks about this challenge.
• Rushang will be sharing a special offer for mobile ACT! users toward the end of the video.
• CompanionLink has been around for about 18 years. Have supported hundreds of devices over the years.
• Many are left scratching their head when getting an Android device.
• No CD to sync data with Outlook.
• CompanionLink has been supporting Outlook since Clippy existed (Outlook 97)

How CompanionLink Works for Outlook Users

• Cable: Sync Outlook data to your Android securely via USB cable.
• Wifi Sync: allows users to sync wirelessly over their home or office wireless network.
• Google Sync: Sync Outlook data with Gmail account. By default data from Google account (Gmail) syncs to android device.
• Direct Secure Wireless Sync: Allows for secure sync from anywhere, no data hosted in the cloud. HIPPA compliant.
• PC with Outlook is on, sync at regular intervals with the device. Regardless of who is updating data in Outlook (Admin).
• Shortest schedule sync interval is 15 minutes.
• No data stored with CompanionLink for the direct secure wireless sync option.

Special Offer to ACTasap.net Readers and Subscribers

• Save $5 by going here, and using coupon code BC6976.
• Save $10 prior to September 1, 2011 by going here, and using coupon code 10ASAP.

Technorati Tags: companionlink coupon code, outlook android smartphone, outlook android tablet, outlook data on android, sync outlook data to android

Summary of Getting ACT! Data to Sync with iPad and Other Devices

• If you have and ACT! database and recently purchased an iPad/iPhone or Android smartphone or tablet, you might be wondering, is it possible to get ACT! on my iPhone or other device!
• Guest Rushang Shah (not Shaw as in the video) of CompanionLink talks about this challenge.
• CompanionLink is the “oldest startup in the world.”
• Been working with ACT! by Sage since version 3.
• Rushang will be sharing a special offer for mobile ACT! users toward the end of the video.
• He talks about the evolution of mobile smartphones/devices.
• What hasn’t changed are the fundamental rules of mobile business productivity.
• Old days: the PC. Today: iPad and Android based devices.
• Question: How to get valuable ACT! data to these mobile devices?
• “SmartPhones are actually pretty dumb.”
• They are missing the data and business productivity component.
• This is the gap that CompanionLink and DejaOffice are looking to fill.

iPad/Android User, Is this Your Situation?

• Considering an iPad, iPhone, or Android based device, but wondering how the ACT! data will get there.
• Have recently purchased and iPad, iPhone, or Android based device, and realizing you have few options for getting ACT! data to the device.

What CompanionLink Does for ACT! Users

• Ensures changes to the data in the ACT! database is sent to the device.
• App on the device presents the ACT! data (DejaOffice). Includes Sage ACT!, activities, todos, and notes.
• Can sync ACT! data to Google Gmail account, and then sync to phone
• Can sync ACT! using a secure and direct connection CompanionLink app, giving users the ability to sync wirelessly. HIPPA compliant. CompanionLink controls entire process with this approach

Special Offer, CompanionLink Coupon Code for ACTasap.net Readers and Subscribers

• Save $5 by going here, and using coupon code BC6976.
• Save $10 prior to September 1, 2011 by going here, and using coupon code 10ASAP.

Technorati Tags: act on android, act on ipad, act on iphone, companionlink coupon code

Welcome to the review of ACT! 2012. If you are a subscriber and got access to our Free Video Training Series: Top 5 Most Overlooked ACT! Features you are likely here due to our special notice email. This post is designed to give you an understanding and overview of what is included in the latest version of ACT!, Sage ACT! 2012. I will also share my take on these features. Having supported the product for over 10 years, I like the direction Sage is taking ACT!, some may feel they are “late” on some of these features, I say, better late than never, right? May this information help you understand what you need to determine if Sage ACT! 2012 is for you. The graphics were furnished by Sage, via their partner webinar (thanks Sage!).

What’s New in Sage ACT 2012

There are four main area of improvement which includes a virtual notepad, integration with Gmail and more, improved (Universal) search), and a new service allowing users to access data from anywhere, mobility.

Sage ACT! 2012 Scratchpad – Virtual Notepad

In version 6 and older there was a product called SideACT!. The virtual notepad is a beefed up version SideACT!.

The notepad is a standalone application that allows a user to quickly jot down notes, reminders, and to-dos in a simply interface.

After jotting down a few items, they can be organized, checked off, printed, or items pushed into a Sage ACT! 2012 database.

It can connect to a Windows-based Sage ACT! 2012 database, as well as the web-based Sage ACT! 2012 edition, there is a different version if you wish to connect to the ACT! 2012 for web.

The Sage ACT! It supports multiple databases allowing uses to export a scratchpad note as an activity or note to different Sage ACT! databases as they need.

Thoughts on Scratchpad

ACT! users who have been loyal through the years may find this a welcome feature. Those new to the software may like it as well. It is an easy way to take notes without having the ACT! software open. Exporting items to an ACT! database of your choosing is helpful as well.

Integration with Gmail Sage ACT! 2012

If you are an avid Gmail user, or perhaps even a Google plus user, you’ll be thrilled to know that there is now native support for Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google contacts in Sage ACT! 2012.

Google Apps is growing in popularity among small business and big business alike. If you don’t use Google Apps in your business, it may be worth a look as it has a strong value proposition and lots of customers.

A couple points about this feature set:

• Gmail Record to History. Users can select the Gmail option on a contact record to initiate the history setting. Matches the e-mail addresses to the ACT! email address field.
• Google Calendar. Must be configured prior to synchronizing with Sage ACT! 2012.
• Contact Mapping. If the default mappings don’t work for your database, at this time you must manually configure an external file to modify mappings.
• Gmail Experience. Setting up the ability to initiate an email from ACT! to be sent from Gmail requires additional setup that isn’t currently tightly integrated with ACT!

My Impression of this Gmail Feature in Sage ACT! 2012

This is a great first step. I like that it they see the value of Gmail for the average productivity worker and business owner (or Google apps), and have committed to supporting it. I’d love to see them make the integration tighter, currently there are steps involved after install to get this feature working, which should be within the setup wizard, or preferences area.

Improved Search, Universal Search in Sage ACT! 2012

For those new to ACT!, the most used feature has been the  famous “Lookup”. It is a way to find records in the database. In Sage ACT! 2012 This has been enhanced to a more Universal Search function.

Soundex search. This is one of the more compelling features of universal search. Allows users to search for ‘brian’ and it will return those who match brian, bryan, and brianne.

Universal search results. It’s worth noting that after installing ACT! on a system with an existing database, it takes a few minutes to build the universal search index. Results are presented in a weighted manner, most relevant results first.

It’s worth mentioning that Universal search is different from Keyword Search. Below is a quick matrix of differences.

My Impressions

Universal search in Sage ACT! 2012 may cause some confusion initially for users who are used to the popular search parameters on the lookup menu or left hand dock. More advanced users will get used to it quickly and enjoy the fact that they can now search documents and more, while benefiting from the soundex search, afterall, who doesn’t mis-spell things from time to time (yours truly!)?

Administrative Enhancements

With the release of Sage ACT! 2012 there have been some enhancements related to the initial experience.

• Installation. More informative dialogues giving users a better idea how long the installation may take.
• Data Import. New support for Salesforce.com data as a data import source. Improved dialogues and logs letting users know what didn’t import (and why).
• Web Management. Now administrators can manage users, teams, passwords, and lock/unlock database from the web client.

My Take on Administrative Improvements in Sage ACT! 2012

System administrators and single user environments will make the most of these features. The ability to import from Salesforce.com data is critical to Sage’s strategic direction, but more than that, will make it easier to cost justify the move to ACT! if the Salesforce importer works well.

Anywhere Access to ACT! with Sage ACT! Connect

With the release of Sage ACT! 2012 comes the release if Sage ACT! Connect.

Sync with Remote and Mobile Devices

Access ACT! data from web browsers Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari, support for popular tablets like the iPad (no idea on android tablets), and mobile devices like the iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows Mobile phones.

Services sync. It also supports sync with Yahoo, Google, and Facebook.

Existing Sage Mobile for ACT! users. Another name change, other than that there is no big changes for this migration, there will be a popup on customer desktops to update their software.

Data Compatibility: Sage ACT! Connect works with ACT! by Sage 2010, Sage ACT! 2011, and Sage ACT! 2012. This is part of their forward going strategy and will likely work at the time new versions of their software releases.

Pricing: $69.95 per user per year. Early bird pricing is available at $59.95. It is bundled free with the Sage Business Care Gold package.

My Take on the Sage ACT! Connect Service

Cautiously optimistic. I think it is a logical extension of services they should be offering as customers need this type of connectivity, and have been clamoring for it. I did not have a chance to test the service, but am optimistic, and will be watching closely to see how the service does for others. In the meantime I’ll continue to recommend a proven solution until Sage ACT! connect is proven among its large user base.

Bottom-line on Sage ACT! 2012

Overall this version builds on the success of previous editions. The fact that they are moving forward with Google integration is encouraging, though by all accounts it appears to be a 1.0 version of that feature. The universal search will serve advanced users well, and administrators will appreciate the improved install experience. Scratchpad is a much needed enhancement, that new and old users alike will take advantage of from regardless of connecting to a local, or web-based database. Sage ACT! Connect sounds interesting, but I’ll need to take a deeper look before making any conclusions (synchronizing data is no easy task!).

All in all, Sage ACT! 2012 will certainly help move businesses forward for those who leverage its capacity.

Technorati Tags: "contact management software", act 2012, sage act 2012, sage contact act, sage software act

I hear this question a lot. So I’m taking this opportunity to share my experience and current recommendation here. Let me put it out there, so there are no questions… I am a performance nut. If there is a way to get more speed out of a PC, I want to learn about it. That’s why choosing the proper an anti-virus program is so important.  As security software it has the ability to bring the fastest PCs to it’s knees (with or without the ACT! Software installed) in the name of safety. In this review you’ll learn what I consider important and why I’m currently using the anti-virus software I am.

What is the Best Anti-Virus Software for Your PC?

A few years ago, I was at a crossroads. The anti-virus software on my HP laptop was up for renewal. Since I review of anti-virus and security software every couple of years, this was my chance to try something new. What I was using was working fine for me and my clients who took my recommendation, just wondering if it still was the best option.

I tried a few of the more well known products on the market, and my findings weren’t very positive. Of course they likely do a good job of catching viruses, malware, and the like, at the expense of performance. One product rendered my PC unusable. I had to select the “Disable All” option in the software, to take my laptop’s responsiveness to a respectable level.

Then I stumbled upon a product that caught my attention. The user interface at the time wasn’t so appealing, but they got rave reviews when it comes to the performance impact.

Introducing avast! Pro Antivirus

Funny. They have an exclamation point in their name as ACT! does.

The user interface gives users the ability to easily disable the real-time protection (which can be important when installing software like ACT!)

Since that time, I have the following comments on this software:

• No software or virus signature update created any issue with my system.
• It has caught a few viruses (I had none to start with).
• Warned me on websites I was visiting that had been hacked/compromised.
• They released an affordable way to cover 3-PCs (important for clients).
• ACT! Performance: I found no degradation in performance, and the software makes it easy to specify file/folder exclusions for scanning which is important for ACT! database speed. Some other antivirus packages I tested either buried the ability to set file/folder exclusions in their interface, or didn’t have the feature at all!

Learn more about avast! here.

How to Purchase avast! Antivirus

I’m not a fan of “free” software when it comes to protecting data, etc. The idea is, if you are on the hook to protect my PC, I want to be able to call someone for help if there is an issue. That said, they do have a free version of the software for download. In fact they have 3 products to choose from, the last of the Internet Security version protecting 3 PCs (for $20 per) with flexible options to add more PCs or more years of protection.

Free is better than nothing. I recommend one of the paid versions if you can afford it, I’m using the Internet Security version, and as stated above, which has alerted me to dangerous websites.

Checkout avast! for yourself here. Let me know your thoughts/feedback in the comments below.

Photo credit: Carbonnyc

Technorati Tags: antivirus software review, best antivirus software, review of avast

Sometimes it’s hard to keep up.  If you operate a small business, you are likely well acquainted with the challenges of change, and all that’s involved to be on the leading edge for your customers.  Last month Sage introduced changes to their business care product line. As a reseller, I’ve been getting calls on this asking me to explain. Forgive me for not getting this post up sooner, hopefully this will provide some clarity for customers considering Sage Business Care.

Sage ACT! Business CarePackage Updates – Know Your Options

What Got Us Here – ACT! PlatinumCare

Prior to the new unveiling (which I’ll describe below) of Sage business care,  they offered Platinum Care which was an annual subscription program giving customers the latest version of the software (software assurance) shortly after it was released. This was a good move, and in keeping with many other software companies serving small businesses.

ACT! Total Care was released shortly thereafter. In addition to the software assurance, Total Care included tier 2 support. So customers could call and get an engineer on the phone, as oppose to a front-line support technician. This was particularly valuable for experienced ACT! users, or IT departments who were charged with administering the ACT! database in their environment.

Introducing Sage Business Care

Now there is a new set of similar products, expanded.  Out with the old, in with the new.

Sage Business Care Basic

Tech support only, 3 incidents of phone and email support per company. Online access to the ACT! knowledgebase. No new versions as they come out with the Basic plan.

Sage Business Care Bronze

With Bronze you get the latest software versions/updates (termed software assurance above), and access to the ACT! knowledgebase. 50% discount on Sage Anytime Learning courses.

Sage Business Care Silver

Silver adds back the tech support.  5 incidents of phone and email support per company, the latest software versions/updates (termed software assurance above), and access to the ACT! knowledgebase.

Sage Business Care Gold

This is the granddaddy package.

• Get the latest software versions/updates
• Unlimited tech support.
• Online access to the ACT! knowledgebase.
• 50% discount on Sage Anytime Learning courses.

Here’s a visual, less the Basic option (click to enlarge):

My Take On Sage Business Care Packages

These won’t be for everyone, especially if you don’t like to update software on a regular basis.  However, given new Windows operating systems, the security patches that come with them, not to mention the same updates for Microsoft Office (which integrates with ACT!), it’s hard to walk away from the packages.

As an ACT! Certified Consultant, it’s worth noting, I have access to the same level of tech support that the Gold plan provides.  So if you are working with an ACT! consultant (or plan to), and finances are tight, you might consider selecting a lower plan, and leverage your consultant accordingly.

More Questions? Use this Button to reach me.

Visit our ACT! Store (currently updating Care packages there) Or, chime in with your questions, comments, and feedback.

Technorati Tags: "contact management software", act 2011, act database software, sage act 2011