A NEW ACT, Swiftpage's ACT! Version 16 (C.R.M. software)

Swiftpage ACT! Version 16

A New Act

By: Kurt von Behrmann

ACT! version 16 from Swiftpage

                I was first introduced to ACT! back in version 7.  At the time I was working on business project remotely and the thrust of the work was following up with contacts and making new ones.  To keep track of business, ACT! 7 was the application in use.   Although geared towards businesses, small and medium sized ones, I found a surprising number of features useful to me as an individual.   I also found the program was relatively easy to use, particularly in light of the competition.

                Unlike some programs I had run into in the competitive arena of C.R.M. (Customer Relationship Manager) software, some of which looked like “Frankstein’s Monster, hobbled together with bits and pieces of interface here and there, ACT! presented a unified front.  Being contact driven, the interface was centered around one contact at a time with the essential information on the central screen and tabbed screens for more detailed information.   Simply put, the layout made sense.

                While limited to working with one contact at a time, the limitation was less a limitation and more an ease of function. It was simple enough to go from one contact to the next, to link contacts and the like.  After all, you can only really work effectively with one contact at once, at least in my way of working.   Over all, the program took some rather complex functions and made them easy to use.

                While most end users tend towards, or rather have directed towards them,  programs that have email functions and contact lists built into them, the problem is that if your needs go beyond simply maintaining a list of contacts, the limitations of such software become very clear the moment you try to do more with them than just list names.   Certainly you can attach files to contacts, but when you need more information to connect to an individual than files, and you want to keep track of phone calls made, information sent and random notes, the limitations of email slash contact software designed for the average end user has some considerable limits.  Hence the need for software that can track what you do and have done with a contact.

                Flash forward, and ACT! version 16 is out under new management and new features.   While it has been changed, the essential layout of the program has remained somewhat the same.  For users or more recent versions, namely the Sage versions like ACT 1012 and 2013, superficially little has changed.  But, when you delve deeper, new features have been added.

                One of the more obvious, as well as noteworthy changes to the application has to be the new History Lists.  Similar in function to the Task List, one can see and filter all histories in one data base.  The possibilities offered by this function means you have a full list of actions as well as the ability to delete certain histories. The implementation of the feature has been executed well.

                Direct from Swiftpage are is a break down of what is new in ACT! version 16.

Link to more information on ACT! v 16 new features

Below are some highlights from Swiftpage

·         Act! Premium Mobile^[1] enhancements — As part of the mobile feature-set of Act! Premium, which is offered at no additional charge, improvements give users access to an expanded range of functions via their smartphone and tablet for improved productivity in the field.

·         Streamlined company management and global actions — Allows for the automatic consolidation of contact details and global activity scheduling to drive informed, efficient action and increased sales effectiveness.

• New calculated fields — Performs calculations automatically using data from other standard or custom fields, helping users intelligently prioritize and automate tasks, drive sales and enhance relationships.

• New history view — Provides an insightful look back, enabling users to easily locate, analyze, and act on data within a dynamic view of all completed actions.

Usability and system improvements — Including global activity rescheduling, proactive system alerts, and streamlined field and layout configuration^[2], designed to save time and give users high confidence that their data and systems are healthy and secure

               

·                 Act! Premium Mobile^[3] enhancements — As part of the mobile feature-set of Act! Premium, which is offered at no additional charge, improvements give users access to an expanded range of functions via their smartphone and tablet for improved productivity in the field.

·         Streamlined company management and global actions — Allows for the automatic consolidation of contact details and global activity scheduling to drive informed, efficient action and increased sales effectiveness.

• New calculated fields — Performs calculations automatically using data from other standard or custom fields, helping users intelligently prioritize and automate tasks, drive sales and enhance relationships.

• New history view — Provides an insightful look back, enabling users to easily locate, analyze, and act on data within a dynamic view of all completed actions.

Usability and system improvements — Including global activity rescheduling, proactive system alerts, and streamlined field and layout configuration^[4], designed to save time and give users high confidence that their data and systems are healthy and secure

Summation

                Swiftpage has added some considerable new features to the venerable ACT!.   Version 16 does not disappoint on that front.  The best of the past has been retained, and the program is similar enough to past iterations to be a comfortable fit for long time users.   For all that Switpage has done, a few problems still exist.

                Integration with the powerhouse of email Outlook has been retained.  The big but is that if you use the 64 bit version of this office component, you are out of luck.   Only the 32 bit version is supported.  Hopefully this is an omission that will be rectified in a future release.

                While ACT! offers a built in email client, when I attempted to set it up, I ran into frustrations.  Nothing worked.   Again, hopefully in future versions ACT! will feature an easier to use Email program.

                Last on my list of problem areas was the help menu.  When I pulled it up, the result came out with a blank browser.  I did discover a work around.  What worked for me was locating the help files and opening them individually.  While this is not a true solution, it was at least something.

                Factoring in my gripes with ACT! version 16, it still remains a favorite C.R.M. program of mine. It simply handles contacts and information so fluidly it is worth contending with some slightly irritating short comings.  When the dust clears, ACT! version 16 could be a tough act to follow.

Link to Examiner.com Article on ACT! Version 16

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[1] Act! Premium Mobile requires setup and configuration of Act! Premium (access via Web).  Data access available via active Internet connection from supported device browsers.  Review Act! system requirements at www.act.com/systreq. You are responsible for all data-related charges.

[2] Act! Premium (access via web) users only.

[3] Act! Premium Mobile requires setup and configuration of Act! Premium (access via Web).  Data access available via active Internet connection from supported device browsers.  Review Act! system requirements at www.act.com/systreq. You are responsible for all data-related charges.

[4] Act! Premium (access via web) users only.

Review of the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear Smart watch

The Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear

A note talking smart phone and a smart watch

From Sprint

By Kurt von Behrmann

The Galaxy Gear and the Galaxy Note 3

                One of the pleasures of reviewing computer software and hardware is coming into contact with emerging technology.   There is a certain “joy” that comes with being on the “bleeding edge.”    As a pair, The Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Gear Smartphone represent an extension of the smart phone into new arenas, namely note taking and transforming the venerable watch into an extension of the smart phone.

                With new smart phones, Android phones appear to growing larger and larger.  The mammoth Galaxy Note 3 is no exception.  Measuring a whopping 5.9 inches x 3.1 inches x 0.3 inches and sporting a 5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED® touchscreen display with a resolution of 1920x1080, there is nothing small about this device.  For all of its size, the handset still fits conveniently into a shirt pocket without fuss. 

                Where size becomes important is in function.  Gaming, web browsing, nearly all of the nice “extras” that apps can provide become all the more enjoyable when you have adequate room to do them.   Size matters in smartphones and Samsung has appeared to have found a nice “sweet spot” that makes this the near ideal size for a phablet.  As a mixture of smart phone and tablet, Samsung is making the Note 3 something of a mobile Swiss army knife of convenience.  This is no doubt the move for note taking into the mix.

                As the name clearly implies, one of the big distinguishing features of this phone is that it can take notes.  While this may not seem to be a particularly useful function, it is surprisingly valuable when you find yourself jotting down bits of information.  I found this out myself during a meeting.

                During a meeting a member was citing a particular book.  Minus paper and pen, I immediately went to the Galaxy Note 3 without thinking and started jotting down the title in my own distinctive writing style.  Having the same feel as writing on paper, the Note 3 captured my text with accuracy and ease.  I was able later to recall not only the book title, but other bits of information that may have been lost had I to rely on memory.  If you happen to be a note taker, or even a casual note jotter, having such functionality built into a smart phone makes sense.   It is one of those features you may not think of when you think of mobile computing functionality, but certainly is much appreciate when it is there.

                The implantation of the feature is well done. The included software is easy to use and will spring into note taking mode once the stylish stylus is removed from the body of the handset.

The Galaxy Note 3's faux leather back.

                Speaking of stylish, the Galaxy Note 3 is conservative in design.  Aside from its scale, there is little to distinguish it from the pack.  But, when you turn it over the back has a leather like feel complete with stitching on the sides.  While this is all an illusion, the phone is totally plastic, the texturized back provides a certain “upscale look.” It also makes the phone firmer in hand than a smooth backed plastic phone that can easily slide around.

                As to be expected, the Note 3 is a fully powered.  Complete with a 2.3GHz quad-core processor (Qualcomm® MSM8974 Pro chipset) dual cameras, a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera with camcorder and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera with camcorder, what you would expect of a high end phone is here.

                If you are one to store data on your phone, The Note 3 does not disappoint on that front.  It ships with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of memory.   There is also room for a Micro SD card, which totals out at a 64 GB memory card. The card does not come with the device. It is optional.  In short, there is plenty of memory and plenty of storage available.

                Bucking the trend toward non removable batteries, Samsung has wisely made the battery removable by the end user.  Should things go south, it is always preferable whenever possible to have access to the battery. 

                Sprint and Samsung have also included their own signature software, as to be expected.  Thankfully the bloat ware is kept to a discrete minimum.  Android phones usually come with their own apps, and the Note 3 carries a full complement of google applications. 

The Galaxy Gear, a smart watch that could be the shape of things to come.

                As an adjunct to the Note, Galaxy Gear provides the functions of a watch with some of the functionality of a smart phone.    Virtually useless without an accompanying handset, the device links to provide access to contacts, galleries and some applications. While limited by size and power, it can take pictures with its 1.9 megapixel camera.  

                While this is more of a “want to have” than a “must have,” there is a certain cachet in having a watch that does more than tell the time.   There has always been in an inherent attraction by those that like leading edge technology.  For those for whom buying another mobile apparatus is not an issue, the Gear could be well worth having.    One thing is without question, the phone is a definite conversation starter.  Start taking pictures with the phone and you will draw a crowd.

Summation

                Samsung has put in another strong entry in the high stakes world of Android phones.  With competition for mobile computing dollars at an all-time high, The Galaxy Note stands out for its size and its ability to allow users to take actual digital notes with it.  That feature is compelling, and it sets the phone apart from the crowd.   If you look past the all plastic construction, which is something of an irritant to some users, the phone has enough power to make that Achilles heel less annoying.   While it may not win design awards, Samsung has made a pleasant to look at phone that delivers where it ultimately counts, power, speed and an impressive battery life.

                Depending on the user, and how much you like being on the forefront of computing, the Galaxy Gear is stylish enough and packed with enough “wow” factor to make it compelling on its own terms.  Again, it may not be a must have item.  However  it certainly could  persuade those interested to like it if for nothing more than  the novelty of having a watch that is reminiscent of Dick Tracey’s.   When the dust settles, phone watches maybe the next wave.  As difficult as it is in tech to tell where things are headed, the integration of smaller devices into wearable ones could be a trend well worth watching.

                Samsung has put forth a noteworthy handset in the Note 3.  It has also begun the first steps toward a wearable mobile smart watch that could very well be a hint of things to come.