Act!

Vorteile

All in one affordable solution for a CRM with AMA.

Nachteile

APC does not have all the functionality of the Desktop version. Therefore we have RDB's and sync so that we have the extra functionality. Often times the ACT servers are too busy for us to sync successfully during the day. We have to wait until after hours to sync.

Vorteile

Contact management across numerous platforms.

Nachteile

Mobile app needs work. Too cumbersome to enter contact data and tracking.

Vorteile

To use as a true CRM to manage my relationship with my clients.

Nachteile

Problems with the integration with Microsoft

Vorteile

ACT keeps my D-Base and does so very well.

Nachteile

I have trouble using much beyond basic features.

Vorteile

Intuitive, easy to use, has all the basics you need and offers nice enhancements and upgrades

Nachteile

its a little glitchy at times, pages don't refresh properly, when viewing lists, such as contacts, the field columns (email, phone, address, etc.) sizing is slow and clunky for the browser based web version, also could use an graphical update, looks a little dated

Vorteile

Easy to use for my purposes. I only use it to store contacts and create history files

Nachteile

I have had many cases where the remote database would stop working with the cloud. Always fixed by ACT, but frustrating. Also, I repeatedly have situations where ACT hangs, and often I have to close it out and start again. This has probably happened over 50 times. When I call ACT for support, it gets resolved, but I never get a good answer why it is doing this.

Vorteile

Has some good capabilities in CRM and email marketing

Nachteile

Its a little clunky the interface and could do with some redesign to make it more streamlined and user friendly

Vorteile

I've been using Act for many years and the ease of use and synchronizing to Outlook makes it a very convenient tool for managing customer databases.

Nachteile

Act tends to be behind in keeping up with being compatible with new releases of Windows and Windows-related programs.

Vorteile

[sensitive content hidden] was awesome to work with on getting me to the cloud and understanding what I wanted, he did it all on the technical side , I also commend [sensitive content hidden] on the sales side he was excellent at explaining my options

Nachteile

I called Enhanced support about 4 other times, and they were ok but really did not understand what I was trying to accomplish (Reason why I called 4 xs ) but once I got [sensitive content hidden] we spoke , He understood and did it while also teaching me

Vorteile

For years act has been a very simple program and very easy to customize to my business needs. Tech support is always great

Nachteile

Limited search ability and internet interaction

Vorteile

Ease of use for controlling customer service

Nachteile

Increasing cost of the product other than that great product

Vorteile

J'utilise act depuis 25 ans.
J'en suis de moins en moins content.

Nachteile

l'envoi de mail en nombre que j'utilisai beaucoup ne fonctionne plus.

Le but des vendeur est de pousser les entreprises à utilise Marketing automation que Act facture au prix fort

Vorteile

I like that they created a cloud version for people on the go.

Nachteile

The over design or look of the desktop version is old and kind of dated. It can be updated if I choose to. But that will take time. A larger selection of templates would be excellent.

In Betracht gezogene Alternativen

Gründe für den Wechsel zu Act!

Vorteile

Ease of set up and loading of new and database contacts.

Nachteile

Limited use for variable products to match them to contacts.

Vorteile

it allowed me to organize myself and manage my time and also a possibility to connect to outlook and keep the communication history

Nachteile

impossible to change program colors and slow in any type of process no interface either

Vorteile

Facile à utiliser et nous permet de rechercher les informations de CRM

Nachteile

Depuis son utilisation, j'ai pas rencontré de difficulté .Je recommande vivement autres l'utilisation de ce logiciel

Vorteile

Meilleurs logiciels de gestion des contacts, en matière de marketing

Nachteile

Je ne pas rencontrer de difficulté depuis mon utilisation.

Vorteile

I began using Act! 20+ years ago the draw for me was the ability to customize the product for my companies needs. I have run my company's database with this software from start up and I have made it work through the years. In the earlier days I was able to automate functionality to stay ahead of trends and have robust productivity far a head of my competitors. As the years have gone on and the product was sold and resold they have updated and brought general users more but have left lifelong users in the dust for profit.

Nachteile

Subscription services that cripple my ability to utilize the fully purchased/owned product. I feel that the company sold out for recurring subscriptions. I don't care that they want to go to subscription but I do care that I have my feet held to the fire because of it. Users like myself enabled their progress and continued success.

Vorteile

Act itself is as a good database software. Compering to previous version synchronized with Swift Page it has a better platform to create a template. There are other things you improve but for our small company we do not use them (like several times of sending same e-mail to one customer)

Nachteile

In Marketing Automation:
- you can not add and SAVE our data base fields in the template
- you can not send an e-mail from the template to one person (only to the group)
- you can not sent an e-mail to lookup (every time you must create the group from lookup)
- may e-mails is getting lost (in our 2 campaigns about 20% e-mails were not delivered)
In e-marketing
- you can not add and SAVE our data base fields in the template
******
In your previous version of ACT I was able to add fields from my database SAVE them in the template and send them to lookup without a need to create the group.
******
And your customer service ??? I believe you can do better work.
For example - I wrote an e-mail to you about month ago - with totally no answers from you.

Vorteile

This product allows you to integrate the basic and most complicated processes within your business. I love the email link feature, any time I send an email to a client (who has their email in their account profile), the system automatically saves that email in the client profile. You don't have to search for it in your inbox, or click an extra button to push the details over to the profile, it all happens automatically. The icing on the cake, is now that it is in the client profile, other members of my team can see what emails I have communicated to client, and when they were sent. It helps to keep my team all on the same page. This is by far the best Client Database system I have ever used. AMAZING!

Nachteile

The biggest downside to ACT is there is not a built in funnel email system. You have to select the group or type of clients that you want to email, export that to another database and then send the communications from there. The system will still tag your emails as long as they are sent from your domain, but having to export the list an use an additional software or service to send the mass email notifications is a little frustrating. If they can fix this option, it would make my life a lot easier.

Vorteile

I like the fact that a team of 5 can share effectively in real time, I like the ease of changing layouts and adding fields, and with Seamless the ablity to easily prdcue high quality documenation. It's link to outlook and ODBC is good and it is a stable, which being at the core of our business is a good thing

Nachteile

There are many things I think we could do to be more productive but can't, and we do see fields being changed or lost "by themselves". The web version was a poor version of the Pro, and we haven't been able to make it available when offline, which is a frustration.

In Betracht gezogene Alternativen

Zuvor genutzte Software

Gründe für den Wechsel zu Act!

Vorteile

Consistent interface through the years, reliable functionality and easy to resolve simple issues. Even in a small business, hosting the database on a consumer grade PC and operating system still provides a functional and fast connection. The ability to create an offline database that can then be synced with the master database is very useful for laptop users.

Finally in ACT 2018/2019, the interface between Outlook 365 (aka Outlook 2016) and ACT! is finally more reliable.

Nachteile

The time it takes to create a large offline database seems way to slow. Some troubleshooting issues require support from ACT!. I strongly recommend a support plan with ACT!

Vorteile

ACT has been around for a long time, as has Swiftpage who aquired them. The software itself has continued to evolve and improve, but hasn't lost the overall feel it has always had. What I like the most is that they have cloud AND desktop platforms for those that might not need cloud services. They also have a large number of plans available, are affordable, and there are a good number of independent technicians out there that can help you with your data, and design third party add-ons too.

Nachteile

The recent change that does not let owners of much older versions of the software activate what they already own has me concerned.

Vorteile

Very intuitive, and worked quickly. Unlike some other Cloud or Microsoft CRM solutions, there were no 'load times' when you switched to a different customer or different activity. It was highly customizable, and the import/export processes were intuitive and worked flawlessly.

Nachteile

Seemed harder to add new minor features we would like... However, we last used the software 2 years ago so it might not have been the most current version. Interface was cometically so so but worked well.

Vorteile

The fact that I can check my customer notes from anywhere I have internet access is great. You can be called to a last minute meeting and have all your customer notes at your fingertips before walking in to their office.
The ability to dictate notes using your phone or tablet is also great.

Nachteile

Occasionally glitches out when moving between contacts and agenda items.

Vorteile

Act! delivers when it comes to functionality. It's more than just a database with user information in it. It also offers tools to create and print customized letters and address stickers, and is fully integrated with an email service owned by the same company.

Nachteile

There are some glitches, however. For example, when you create a new entry for a profile in the database, it will often warn you (before you save it) that the profile you created already exists. This is not based on the name, but rather (I'm assuming) the user id. This is very annoying because the company I work for uses "ID Status" to group users, so many users may have the same id. Also, when it comes to adapting to screen sizes, Act! constantly fails with each new release. Specifically regarding the email marketing page, there are always buttons that are so small that the text is not even visible when I'm viewing from a high-resolution monitor.

Vorteile

I have used this produce since the 90s and its consistency of value has remained. It's easy to use after learning just a few basics. Reports are easy to generate and are customizable to your field.

Nachteile

Only that it did not link to specialized software I was using in the field.

Vorteile

Easy to use

Nachteile

Some of the features I will never use and some of the features take some time to learn how to use.

Vorteile

We have been using versions of ACT! for about 20 years and were looking for an up to date version. The version we have now is more stable than any versions we have used in the past. We had been looking for another stand-alone version since the older versions were going to become obsolete . I have to say this version uses up less memory. A great buy!

Nachteile

Sometimes switching between databases causes the software to crash. It has been a problem with most versions we have used. I wish this could be fixed.

Vorteile

It may not have all the bells and whistles of some of the newest programs but everything is laid out in front of you to quickly see the whole picture of your clients and prospects.

Nachteile

The fonts could be bigger when entering notes.

Vorteile

Highly customizable fields. At each upgrade, all my changes are carried forward without me needing to do anything. Solid follow-up system.

Nachteile

My only complaint is the size of the application on the screen. The settings that I use on the screen work for all my other programs. This displays just a bit smaller than I would like. Haven't found a way to correct.

Vorteile

Act was one of the first to market in the late 90s. They have some great features and history.

Nachteile

There are several products that offer a better interface and overall experience.

Vorteile

ACT combines daily tasks with communication with my contacts. We have stayed with ACT because of the multiple functions it provides. Also it now syncs with Outlook and my phone so I have everything I need with my always. Since they went to a cloud based format, everything works together.

Nachteile

I wish it was compatible with MAC. Other than this, I am extremely happy with my choice.

Vorteile

This was the original CRM system! I used it with my real estate business and it saved an absolute ton of time and energy getting things done.

Nachteile

Wasn't easy to configure to work with a team - it worked great for a solo user but as a team setup, it wasn't nearly as easy or seamless to set it up and use it.

Vorteile

The software really helps me stay organized both in contacting my existing clients and making sure opportunities do not slip by.

Nachteile

I did not like that I had a version working PERFECTLY fine and was FORCED to upgrade. Since upgrading, nothing has worked correctly and it will be weeks just getting back to where I was before the change.

Vorteile

That it was supported by a large network of independent business people, anywhere in the USA.

Nachteile

I've have some unresolved issues with the program, not adding my opportunities to the history file. My ACT support team and ACT themselves have identified the problem, but there has been no resolution for over 60 days. This is unacceptable in my opinion. this, to me, is a basic component of the program.

Vorteile

Support. Can't believe every time I call in how the rep is an English first language speaker and very well educated regarding the program. Never wastes time and always resolves the problem, and so far without charging for support.

Nachteile

If I had to complain, I might say integration with other programs, but that could very well be my lack of skills.

Vorteile

It did it’s job: kept my leads organized in groups and allowed me to track activity with notes.

Nachteile

Keep in mind I probably had an older version of the software. It did it’s job to track leads but was kind of slow and clunky. The overall interface had a dated look to it. It didn’t sync with your emails either.

Vorteile

I have used it for over 15 years and have learned to manipulate it for my needs.

Nachteile

The annual cost is the worst. Loading forecast for an order is confusing. Originally it was very easy. I need an easy method to confirm my data is being backed up.

Vorteile

Ease of inputting and finding any client or prospect, When I can do a mail merge it is great,

Nachteile

Does not work properly with Windows. Contracts terminate to soon. Have never been able to use it with Outlook

Vorteile

So far, since I've started using this software, I would have to say the overall functions

Nachteile

There is alot of options available. It's easy to get confused if you're inexperienced

Vorteile

Over the years ACT was my workhorse for business development It had great flexibility and was easy to enter contact information.

Nachteile

I was ideal for my small business and I only changed because I needed something more compatible to my system.

Vorteile

We like that it is a good platform that is relatively easy to use for our sales program.

Nachteile

There is some glitchy-ness in the cloud based version on various browsers that doesn't allow us to use templates from all browsers and was difficult to edit and customize templates (e.g. proposals, letters).

Vorteile

Easy to use. Organizes my contacts well. Use for mailing to customers, invoicing , quotes.

Nachteile

New version seems to be slower. Circles around a lot. Have to wait for the program to refresh often.

Vorteile

It is easy to manage and with tutorial support very easy to follow, supports the user, to program and make sales budgets, based on scheduled follow-ups with each client and by products.

Nachteile

I do not see any flaw, maybe for some users, the way to graph is a bit old-fashioned, a point that maybe would help, from my optics, make report adjustable to the need of each user.

Vorteile

It's a CRM that's been around forever and I know people that love and hate it. I have to support them, not use it myself. WHEW!

Nachteile

Development of this product is in the dark ages.

Vorteile

It has a lot of features and using the ACT! Premium its installed onto my PC and allows me to use an App as well. It can be very customizable and doesn't have a huge monthly cost.

Nachteile

It can take forever to input information unless you have extra software that streamlines the process. It is very customizable and at times that can be bad thing, especially if you don't know what you are doing. You can screw it up.

Vorteile

I like that it keeps things simple. It allows you to track your sales leads and to do list in a way that older users (like me) can appreciate. It also allows you to keep track of when and where to contact and your sales targets.

Nachteile

Using the Mail merge to send emails does not pull enough data in the ways you might want. If you want to send the same email and insert Mr Smith in the title, that's easy, but inserting their name in the body is not as functional. Similarly, when you want to come up with pre written emails or marketing material, its weak on that.

Nachteile

The online version is very different from the desk top

Vorteile

Do not have to use a cloud system!

Nachteile

Communication with Outlook and GMAIL. No free tech support.