Chicago ACT! USER GROUP
Meeting Notes
Special Edition: July 1996
Greetings. The ACT! SIG is still on summer hiatus, but the
release of a brand new version of ACT! for Windows 95 is news that
just couldn’t wait. Here’s a rundown (courtesy of Symantec) of some
of the key features of this new release.
Please note: we will be demo-ing ACT! 3.0 at our September
10th ACT! User Group Meeting. Call (847) 352-4770 for additional
information. See you there!
New Features: ACT! 3.0 for Windows 95 and
NT
Basic Features
-
new - Links to Microsoft Word and WordPerfect
ACT! 3.0 lets you choose your preferred word
processor. Produce documents, proposals, templates and even
mail merge letters directly from ACT! using Microsoft Word or
WordPerfect. ACT! 3.0 continues to include the easy ACT! Word
Processor for fast, simple letters and memos.
-
new - Attach Files to Your Contacts
Drag-and-drop to link any file to any contact.
Spreadsheets, contracts, proposals, faxes, pictures –
anything. ACT! 3.0 automatically links every letter produced
directly to the contacts. So you can find instantly find and
retrieve all your information – even years later.
-
new - Work In Form Or List View
Most contact managers require users to make a choice
between working form or list view, but ACT! 3.0 removes this
barrier. Work in the traditional form view, the new list
view, or use both at the same time. The new list view
features "edit in place", customizable columns, and one click
sorting.
-
new - Improved Calendars and To-Do List
You can now view your contact screen at the same
time as your calendar. ACT! 3.0 will "strike through" and
save your completed activities so you can view your cleared
activities right from the calendar. One-step follow-up
scheduling makes it easy to schedule the phone call that came
from yesterday’s meeting. The to-do (task) list is even
better with sorting by priority, customizable columns, and
one click clearing of activities. And new multi-day "banner"
activities means you’ll see all your activities at a
glance.
-
new - Even Easier to Learn and Use
You’ll learn ACT! faster and be more productive than
ever before! The new tabbed interface provides single-click
access to all fields without switching layouts. A five minute
"Quick Tour" helps new users get started. Wizards make
complex tasks (such as importing data) easier. "Auto-fill"
lets you type in the first letter of a pop-up field and ACT!
fills in the rest. Instant duplicate checking ensures you
never accidentally enter the same contact twice.
-
new - Find Contacts Based on Caller-ID
ACT! will instantly find a contact based on an
incoming call (requires Caller-Id). Advanced phone functions
are also easier with ACT!. Transfer calls, set up conference
calls, and even forward your phone using ACT! (requires phone
equipment that supports the Microsoft TAPI
standard).
-
new - Group Calendar Sharing
Share calendars on a LAN or with mobile ACT! users.
View other’s calendars, bring up multiple calendars, and look
for open times. Schedule activities for other ACT! users and
send Email or set alarms to notify them.
-
new - Get Automatic ACT! Enhancements with
LiveUpdate
LiveUpdate gives you free, instant access to
in-lines and updates, enhancements, support tips, and other
useful information. LiveUpdate is run from within ACT! and
uses a modem or Internet connection to search the Symantec
server and present you with a list of available items. Select
items and they will be downloaded and any updates
automatically applied.
-
new - Support for Internet Email
ACT! 3.0 supports Internet Mail. Create and send
mail messages from ACT! over the Internet. Attach contacts,
notes, history, and activities to email and send to other
ACT! users. Create a form letters use email merge to send
letters to a group of contacts.
-
And More!
ACT! 3.0 has over 100 new features! Find contacts
and add them to the current lookup. Use last name instead of
first name in the salutation field. Import pop-ups from text
files. Sort on up to three fields at once. And much more! All
the top features you have been requesting have been added to
ACT! 3.0.
Advanced Features
-
new - Fully Customizable Layouts and Database
ACT! 3.0 is now fully customizable. The new
graphical layout editor allows you to move fields around the
screen, add your own graphics, and create custom on-line
forms. Add unlimited user fields, delete fields, and modify
the default ones. The new "format" fields allow creation of
fields with specific entry requirements, such as social
security number.
-
new - Improved Report Generator
The enhanced report writer provides better, more
powerful custom reports. Reports now support sub-totals,
statistical functions, sorting, and you can add colors,
fonts, custom graphics, and bitmaps to your
reports.
-
new - Support For Larger Databases
ACT! 3.0 supports much larger databases than ACT!
2.0 so as you grow your business, ACT! grows with you. There
is no fixed limit to the number of records.
-
new - Synchronize Databases With Other ACT!
Users
ACT! 3.0 provides easy and extensive built-in
two-way merging (synchronization) of calendars and contacts.
Copy an ACT! database onto your laptop, take it on a trip,
and merge changes when you return. Identify a set of records
you want to share, dial another user, and synchronize
directly with their database. Or send your changes via email.
All synchronization is done on a field-by-field basis with
time-stamping for breaking ties.
- ACT! 3.0 can be configured as a server to perform
merging for a group. New leads, updated records, and changes in
database format can be automatically distributed to mobile users.
new - Manage Projects and Accounts
- ACT! 3.0 has customizable group records. These records
can be used to track information on accounts, companies, and
projects. Everything still links to your contacts, but with ACT!
3.0 you can also link activities, notes, history, and files to
group records. Then you can instantly view a summary all the
contacts, activities, notes, history, and files for a specific
project.
For example, a real estate agent may set up group fields
such as "number of bedrooms" and "quality of schools". The agent then
enters a record for each house they are trying sell. Now they can see
who is interested, view activities by house, run reports by house,
and so on.
© Copyright 1996 by Symantec Corporation
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