The all new Act! version 21 delivers some fantastic new features including Act! Marketing Automation and Dynamic Sales Pipeline Management plus a host of compatibility and productivity enhancements.
The good news for Act! Premium subscribers is that you get access to all of these features. If you are planning on upgrading Act!, we suggest that you read our tips to ensure pain-free conversion.
With changes to the Act! licencing service coming into effect as of 1st January 2019, it is imperative that every Act! user updates their version to avoid interruption to their service. See Critical Changes to Act! Software Licencing for more information regarding your version.
Even if you are only applying an update to your current version, the tips below will still help to avoid potential issues arising.
Do you have your v21 licence?
Ensure that you have your version 21 licence before you upgrade. If you are using Act! Pro or Premium (perpetual) licence for Version 20 or below, you will need to purchase an upgrade. Please submit an order request or contact us on 1300 362 046.
Check compatibility
Upgrading any software can cause system conflicts due to compatibility issues so we suggest that you check that your hardware meets the minimum Act! System Requirements. Additionally, you should confirm that your other office software and any Act! AddOns that you use will be compatible. For example, Act! v21 supports Office 2013 and above. Spending a bit of time checking requirements prior to installing any software can avoid unnecessary issues that will possibly save you time and money in the long run.
Will my customisations convert across to v21?
Yes. An Act! database (v7+) will come across into v21 including reports, templates, and layout customisations. If you are using Act! v6 or below we suggest talking with one of our consultants as there are a few more factors to consider. If you have any custom programming specifically created for your current version, we suggest checking with your provider in case additional updates are required.
Backup, backup, backup!
We strongly advise that you have at least one reliable backup of all your data prior to upgrading your database. There is nothing worse that realising that something has gone wrong and that you don’t have a backup. See How to back up and restore an Act! database.
Start clean
To get the best conversion results, it’s ideal to have your existing database checked and cleaned prior to conversion. Upgrading is a perfect time to purge old data to decrease your database size and increase the efficiency and speed of your database. To get assistance with this process, please contact your Act! consultant or call us on 1300 362 046. (AU) or 0800 443 163 (NZ).
Allow enough time to upgrade
The time required to upgrade Act! depends on such factors as the number of users, locations and deployment methods. It can take anywhere from 15 minutes for a single user to a few days for larger, more complicated sites. Ensure that you plan the time/day for the upgrade to allow for any unforeseen complications and to avoid your staff sitting around unable to access to their data.
Can I upgrade Act! myself or will I need help?
Many users successfully upgrade Act! themselves however the ability to do so depends on the complexity of your environment. If you are a single user on Act! Pro, it is a straight forward install over the top of your existing application. See How do I upgrade Act! from a previous version?
If you have a team of users, are synchronising or use a hosted database service, your upgrade will need more planning and knowledge. Just think of Act! like a new car…do you service the car yourself or take it to an authorised service centre? You want the service done correctly so you don’t have car problems down the track.
Our team of Act! Certified Consultants specialise in Act! CRM, so they have the expertise to help you throughout the entire upgrade process – from cleaning up your data, to upgrading and training your team on the new features. Utilising our services will ensure that your upgrade transition is smooth and will minimise any downtime for your business, ultimately saving you dollars. To discuss your Act! upgrade, contact your local consultant or call us on 1300 362 046.
