This document provides an overview of topics related to installing, configuring, using, and troubleshooting the ACT! contact management software. It lists key functions, features, and concepts to understand such as installing ACT! on single or networked PCs, defining users and permissions, backing up and restoring databases, and syncing with Outlook. It also covers troubleshooting installation and connectivity issues and where to find additional support resources.

1. By Mike Lazarus
GL Computing
Feb 2009

2. Understand using basic ACT! functions

At least be familiar with these videos:
http://blog.glcomputing.com.au/2009/02/free-act-by-sage-video-training.html
This course assumes users are familiar with ACT!

3. 11.0 and 11.1

New features in ACT! 2009 11.1

Standard, Premium Ex and Premium St


4. Chapter 1 of the document at:

http://glcomputing.blogspot.com/2009/01/iis-installation-and-lockdown-with.html
To properly troubleshoot installation, networking , sync and web issues, it’s important to
understand these concepts and terms.

5. System Requirements Common errors
 
.Net versions for ACT! Upgrading
 
SQL Editions for ACT! Uninstall
 
Normal
Installation Check List 

Uninstaller.exe
Install – Single PC 

Manual uninstall

Install – LAN Shared

Install – Citrix / TS

Install – Silent


6. Sharing Defining Users
 
ACT! Database Files User Roles
 
Backing up with ACT! Limited Access
 
Backing up Other Teams
 
Restoring Passwords
 
Moving a Database Preferences
 
Deleting a database ACT! Update
 
Copy/Move fields ACT! Scheduler
 
XML ACTDIAG
 
Log files – ACT!

Log files – Windows


7. Outlook

Setting up address books

Recording History

Outlook Rules

Calendar sync

Internet Mail

Outlook Express

SwiftPage and MergeMaster!


8. Convert from 7-10 Convert Vs Import
 
Convert from 3-6 Importing from ACT!
 
Convert from 1-2 Importing from CSV
 
Convert from DOS itImport – Advanced
 
Standard or Custom

Supplemental Files


9. Lookups Vs Sorting Last Synchronised
 
Simple Lookups Queries
 
Lookup Other Advanced
 
Keyword Search Groups
 
Contact Access Companies
 
Annual Events Opportunities
 
Contact Activity

Previous


10. Setup database Supplemental Files
 
Setup users Deploying RDBs
 
Sync options Re-cutting RDBs
 
Sync methods Re-creating damaged
 
Publisher from a good
What data is sent

Subscriber
Basic setup

Change location of P

Ports

or S without breaking
Schema

sync
Expiration


11. Access controls Documents
 
Groups and Excel and Word
 
Companies
Company

Membership

12. Defining Fields Menus and Toolbars
 
Extended Data Activity Types
 
Layouts Activity Series
 
Field Security


13. Word

Mail Merge

History


14. General Features

Processes and

Products
List and lookups

History

Quotes

Forecasting

Export to Excel


15. ACT! Report Writer Contact List to Excel
 
Printing Options OLE/DB
 
Running reports ODBC and ActReader
 
Customising Reports


16. Security

Components

Configuration

Designer


17. Supported Servers

Supported Browsers

Differences to Premium for Windows

Installation

Virtual folders – security and ports


18. Troubleshooting

Database issues

Where to get support

Knowledge base – tricks to search

 Community Site – Blogs and public areas
 LinkedIN ACT! Fanatics – Sage staff, CCs and users
 GL Computing Blog – all sorts of info
 GL Computing Twitter – quick useful updates
 ACC News Groups – only for certified consultants
 Outlook, RSS, NNTP and Windows Desktop Search
– the extra knowledge base

19. Free Add-ons Handheld Contact
 
Context Web Browser itImport
 
 Middle Pane itExport

 Doc Tab Preview itTables

 Addon Manager
itDial

 Dashboard Extras
SwiftPage

MergeMaster!

AccountsMaster!


20. For More information, contact:
GL Computing
Mike Lazarus