2007. ACT's horrible email integration is driving me over the edge.
I have signed up to receive your eBook and will peruse it. I have signed up
and started using the trial version of BCM2007. The one thing that I cannot
do is manage the stream of my work.
For example, I need to schedule calls to people, and calls to follow up.
weeks later. I cannot figure out how to easily manage calls, tasks and my
contacts. I would like to just click on a follow up button and have it pop a
mini-calendar scheduler window. Then I would like to see how my day/week is
> Welcome to BCM, Darin!
>
> Check out my eBook on Moving from ACT! to BCM -- that'll answer some of the
> "daily doing" questions you have.
>
> Yes, BCM will do all three of the items you mentioned. Some of the
> functions you'll like better than ACT! and some you won't. The dreaded "C"
> word, Change, is the biggest problem but you'll adapt and if you're like me,
> you'll like BCM a lot.
>
> Here are some answers to your questions:
>
> > 1. Does Outlook (or Outlook w/ BCM) have all the features I mentioned
> > above?
> Yes
>
>
> > 2. Do they work similarly or are their significant differences?
> For the most part, they're similar. My eBook explains the differences...
>
>
> > 3. For those that have used both, do you advocate switching?
> Yes! Office 2007 is the future of desktop computing and BCM is right in the
> middle of it.
>
>
> > 4. Is BCM a separate program or a part of Outlook? If separate, do the
> > two
> > integrate together?
> Well, you'll get conflicting answers on this one. The functions are
> integrated with Outlook but some of the data is stored separately. You have
> to backup your Outlook PST file AND your BCM SQL database in two separate
> operations. From the user's standpoint, it seems like it's the same
> program.
>
>
> > 5. Is the conversion process relatively easy w/ Outlook 2007?
> No, there are some problems with the conversion. This is a difficult part
> of the transition but you can always leave ACT! on your PC and refer back to
> it, if needed. There are fixes in the works now that will help.
>
>
> > 6. Can I do it with the office software or should I spend the $195 and
> > buy
> > the Act-to-Outlook software?
> We're just now testing this out and I'll report back to you on its
> results...
>
>
> > 7. Where do you recommend I go to learn how to use the features of
> > Outlook
> > and BCM? I've used Outlook for years for email but never really used the
> > contact management software.
> Shameless plug: My BCM For Dummies book is the only one out there now...
>
> Hope that helps,
> Lon
>
> ___________________________________________________________
> Lon Orenstein
> pinpointtools, llc
> Lon@pinpointtools.com
> Author of Outlook 2007 Business Contact Manager For Dummies
> Author of the eBook: Moving from ACT! to Business Contact Manager
> 800.238.0560 x6104 Toll Free (U.S. only) +1 214.905.0401 x6104
>
www.pinpointtools.com
>
>
> "Darin" <Darin@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:1DD847BE-4570-484A-A110-669908FF1795@microsoft.com...
> > I've been unhappy for years with ACT due to instability within the
> > program,
> > poor customer service, etc. However, I use it every day in my insurance
> > office to keep the following:
> >
> > 1. contact info for my clients
> > 2. notes & history of past meetings (and notes re: those meetings)
> > 3. calendar (meetings, calls and to-dos, including calls and to-dos that
> > just roll over every day until I can get around to them.
> >
> > I'm buying a new computer and am finally thinking of replacing ACT w/
> > Outlook. I didn't even know of BCM until earlier today but this forum has
> > been very useful. I apologize for the simplicity of the questions but I
> > have
> > the following questions:
> >
> > 1. Does Outlook (or Outlook w/ BCM) have all the features I mentioned
> > above?
> > 2. Do they work similarly or are their significant differences?
> > 3. For those that have used both, do you advocate switching?
> > 4. Is BCM a separate program or a part of Outlook? If separate, do the
> > two
> > integrate together?
> > 5. Is the conversion process relatively easy w/ Outlook 2007?
> > 6. Can I do it with the office software or should I spend the $195 and
> > buy
> > the Act-to-Outlook software?
> > 7. Where do you recommend I go to learn how to use the features of
> > Outlook
> > and BCM? I've used Outlook for years for email but never really used the
> > contact management software.
> >
> > Any and all help is appreciated. My sincere thanks to all posters on this
> > forum. It hs been very enlightening.
>
>