Contact management packages reviewed


Contents
Introduction
 ACCPAC
 Act!
 Coordimax
 GoldMine
 Legrand
 Maximizer
 Specifications
 How we tested
 Editor's choice
 About RMIT
Act! 7

Sage ACT markets this product for contact management purposes -- it is not a full CRM. Act! is an early pioneer among contact management products having begun in 1987. The installation process was quick and easy. Last time this product was reviewed there were some difficulties associated with the need to register the product before it could be reviewed; happily this problem no longer exists with version 7. Additional required software, such as .NET and IE6, are bundled with the ACT! package.

The graphical interface is attractive and functional. Data groups are well organised with easy links to associated information and many common tasks such as creating records, viewing graphs or company lists -- all only a single click away. Search tools make finding specific information easy. In addition to normal searching, there is a duplicate search-tool.

Import and export procedures are convenient and flexible. Imported data can be mapped to suit ACT!'s database, from predefined or user-defined forms. Imports can be made from ACT! versions three to seven, Outlook, dBase, GoldMine or text delimited. Export options are limited to ACT!7 and text delimited, plus there is a separate Excel export tool.

Creating and seeking records is a breeze. An in-built word processor, or MS Office integration, allows for the creation of letters and other documents without leaving ACT! Automatically addressed templates make letter or e-mail writing easy and a variety of reports can be created automatically for output to screen, printer, e-mail, PDF, HTML, or RTF.

Act! comes with software interfaces to connect with Palm handhelds and Pocket PCs. E-mail communications are supported via Eudora and Outlook/Outlook Express. Add-on support for facsimile communications are available.

It's good to note that none of the concerns detailed in last year's review caused us any grief this time. If you are an existing Act! user and are thinking of upgrading to a full CRM you might like to research SalesLogix by Best Software. SaleLogix is produced by the same software team as Act! and thus has a similar look.

Product ACT! 7.0 for Workgroups
Price AU$299 to AU$499
Vendor Sage ACT
Phone 1800 675 617
Web www.sageact.com.au
 
Interoperability
Links mainly to Microsoft applications. Can support various accounting packages.
Futureproofing
A good package for smaller businesses with new developments keeping it up to date.
ROI
A neat package with a small price tag.
Service
AU$750 per annum per five users + 30 day warranty.
Rating
ACT!7
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Talkback 18 comments

    What about SugarCRM? SugarCRM ...Anonymous -- 18/07/05

    What about SugarCRM?

    SugarCRM is one of the fastest growing CRM/Contact Management systems in the world, and competes directly with many of those systems listed.

    SugarCRM's commercial open-source model clearly differentiates it from the competitors by providing full access to all source-code allowing the system to be easily tailored to suit each customers needs, making it a powerful alternative to an otherwise proprietary and inflexible systems included in the review.

    SugarCRM is commercially supported in Australia by Insightful Solutions, and backed internationally by SugarCRM in the US.

    SugarCRM Australia Aris Margaritis -- 31/05/06 (in reply to #120119285)

    CRM Online Australia is a division of Lumis Multimedia and also partner of SugarCRM, a hosted CRM solution with complete website integration makes SugarCRM the most flexible Customer Relations Management tool that we develop with.

    CD rom Anonymous -- 08/08/05

    hello,
    I have recently purchased an Epson Stylus C65. Since then my computer has crashed, resulting in the loss of all programs and information stored.
    I have not been able to find the original set up CD-Rom which came with the printer. Without this, the printer is worthless. Is there anyway of downloading the necessary software from the net.
    I would appreciate your help.
    thank you

    what about epson australia's website? ZDNet Editor -- 08/08/05 (in reply to #120119956)

    hi there, have you tried epson australia's website?

    http://tech.epson.com.au/downloads/product.asp?id=C65

    ACT 7 Anonymous -- 30/09/05

    Do you work for Sage. This version of a long established product is an abomination. This software completely kills your PC. I run a P4 2.6GB machine and it grinds to a halt when ACT 7 is running. The software is slow, cumbersome and the support service is backing it up is useless. All in all a poor product with poor service. My advice is to shop around for something else.

    I agree bootskef -- 13/10/05 (in reply to #120121551)

    ACT 7 is not much chop so to speak. Act 8 is better

    ACT 2006 is BAD. Anonymous -- 04/11/05

    1. When I upgraded to the new ACT, all 3,500 of my salutations were converted from what I had to the first name--e.g., Susan Smith, salutation, Sue, was changed to Susan--I have spent hours on the phone with them--and they haven't been able to fix it yet. To do mail merges, I will have to go through every record.
    2. the box says it requires 512 mgs ram--but ACT support said it needs 1.5 gigs..I bought more memory.
    3. On top of that, they refuse to escalate in order to solve my problem..
    there are other problems but these are the most important.

    Eats the machine Joel Goldstein -- 14/01/06

    large ringing alarm list will make the entire machine un-usable.
    Puts my 3Ghz 1Gb ram server at constant 52-55% busy, and 50% of this ACT

    AMEN !!! Anonymous -- 14/01/06

    Spent 3 hrs on the phone withj Tech support today... no help. Product working as designed. Admits it has problems.

    BrowserCRM too Matthew Ross -- 06/07/06

    BrowserCRM is an option with much more sophisitced integrated email than Sugar. BrowserCRM is a commercial product priced for small business and supported from Wellington, New Zealand.

    CRM Comparision Anonymous -- 05/02/07

    It would be great to see a more detailed comparison of contact management software solutions. I found a good site which explores the features of the LegrandCRM (GOTO: www.legrandcrm.net.au ) pacakge however a comparision and anlysis of other would be really good.

    Support for SMS and email Michael Joseph -- 15/02/08

    Most of these packages do not provide native messaging support, or are not geared for sending out large message broadcasts. ArcSend (www.arcsend.com) is great for messaging. Also, it has extremely powerful capabilities for selecting contacts based on category and field values.

    Not True Atal Hakikat -- 16/10/08 (in reply to #320095593)

    Infact Sugar CRM has the SKYPE and other similar plugins that allow you to use sms and email messaging.

    Tracker Anonymous -- 03/02/09

    Well... most won't remember Tracker software, but the internet wasn't even born at that point!
    It was a great piece of software.
    I've tried out ACT7... What a piece of BLOATWARE! Brought my computer to a screaming halt!

    Tracker Memorial Hall Anonymous -- 06/02/09 (in reply to #320122212)

    Well, I remember irt ant it was awesome. It has done a great service to me, never matched again. I may still resurect an old PC that has been buried in my garage and find an old 5 1/4 floppy to install it for the sole purpose of contact management. But the problem is the broadband. It worked with my modem and phone fine 20 years ago, now there are ???

    Tracker John Withall -- 15/04/09 (in reply to #320122479)

    Tracker is available & right to the minute with technology. It is written by the same programmers. Check out www.vitalsoftware.net/ for more information.

    Coordimax History? Anonymous -- 25/03/09

    Heard a rumour that the company has gone bust, can anyone confirm?

    Re Coordimax (MaestroSuite Pty Ltd) Anonymous -- 27/03/09 (in reply to #320126702)

    Check out the ASIC website using the about company name. www.asic.gov.au and you will find you're answer

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