I learned today that SwiftPage will be issuing an Act licensing update as of January 1, 2019. This change will impact all existing ACT! users. I have been selling, supporting and customizing ACT! for over 20 years and this change will have a bigger impact on ACT! than anything I’ve ever seen before.
Honestly, at this point no one really knows what might happen on January 1, 2019 when the new licensing system takes place. I could be much like Y2K; we all expected the worse and escaped with barely a bump. However, being from Florida, land of the hurricanes, I like to be prepared and advise my clients to be as well.
In a nutshell:
- ACT! Subscription Users in v 18- 20: You should apply the appropriate update patches will be released starting on 11/20/18 that must be applied prior to 1/1/19.
- ACT! Subscription Users in v17: You should upgrade to a newer version prior to 1/1/19. The update is FREE and part of your current subscription.
- ACT! Users in versions older than v18: You are in danger of being permanently shut out of your existing ACT! product.
Theoretically if you apply the update patch it should be business as usual; the plan is that your existing license number will be magically replaced with the new license number. However, things might not go as planned. And, if you are in an older version of Act!, now might be a good time to upgrade.
I am committed to helping each and every one of you to find a solution to this problem. Please contact the Act Consultants at Tech Benders if you need help.
I have been using ACT since 1998 and currently using Sage ACT! Pro 2012 Version 14.0.572.0, Hot Fix 2. I have not used Act support for many years as I found the support team unhelpful. When I have had issues, I have been lucky and found solutions via the web (mainly issues with Outlook integration and occasional SQL start up issues).
1. Will the Jan 2019 licensing upgrade affect the 2012 version (I dont see how it would as everything resides on my laptop)?
2. I have been considering upgrading. I am a single user and do not want the subscription version. Is v20 Pro the appropriate upgrade to move to?
Hi Jon,
It’s always fun to hear from a 20 year Act veteran. As to your question, yes, the licensing change will effect ALL versions of Act from Act 2005 through v21. For a single user like you it probably won’t happen right away but if you have to reinstall your software after a hard drive crash or computer replacement you will definitely have an issue. The bottom line is that if Act tries to check your registration for any reason it will show you as having an invalid license. Not to fear – if that happens you can install a 30 day demo. I have the links conveniently on my website: https://techbenders.com/learn-more-about-act/
No, you do not have to purchase a subscription. And you would want to purchase the latest offering, Act v21 rather than v20.
Right now I am selling Act v21 Pro for $175; after the first of the year the price is going up to $299.99. If you are interested send an email to Karen@TechBenders.com
I am a single (long time) user of ACT! and am considering sunsetting my business in the next several years. I am not crazy about software subscriptions so will ACT PRO one time purchase work for me? I have had a poor response from ACT support. How does your support offering fit into my needs with ACT PRO?
Hi Thomas, thanks for stopping by TechBenders.com. Yes, you can purchase Act Pro for a one-time purchase. As far as support goes, Pro does not come with any. You have a few alternatives: you can purchase an optional installation or “5 instance” plan from Swiftpage. Or Tech Benders offers fee-based support on an “as needed” basis. Use this link to make your Act Pro purchase: https://www.act.com/pro/?ror=4000919342
Hi Karen, I appreciate the advice you are giving. I have several questions for you. We are using ACT! 2011 on a in server and do not want to go to a cloud based system. We have been using ACT! for the past 20 years and really do not want to go to another CRM service. We have been very happy with what it had offered for our business. I am looking to see if the version you are talking about will fit our needs. We want to be able to install on server and run from desktops without paying a high monthly user fee. From what I had read is that after Jan 1 2020 we will only be able to use the cloud based service. I want to clarify this before we invest in spending more money on this software and get a surprise next year.
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for visiting TechBenders.com and more importantly for sharing your question. There is so much misinformation floating about and I appreciate having this platform to dispel the rumors.
In answer to your questions:
Q: >We do not want to go to a cloud based system.
A: You absolutely do NOT have to be “cloud based.” Act remains a hybrid platform that can either be hosted or installed on your own server.
Q: We have been using ACT! for the past 20 years and really do not want to go to another CRM service. We have been very happy with what it had offered for our business. I am looking to see if the version you are talking about will fit our needs. We want to be able to install on server and run from desktops without paying a high monthly user fee. From what I had read is that after Jan 1 2020 we will only be able to use the cloud based service. I want to clarify this before we invest in spending more money on this software and get a surprise next year.
A: Actual Act is only sold on a yearly, not a monthly, basis. If you read the “fine print” it states the monthly price “when purchased annually.” Sales tactic. The only thing that has changed is the price. There has been a 40% price increase over the last year on the Premium product which is now called “Growth Suite.”
I have Act by Sage 2010. just tried to re-install it on my updated computer and now they-ACT, are telling me I cannot register it and have to upgrade. any way around this?
Hi Dave,
Thanks for stopping by TechBenders.com. You have now experienced first hand exactly how this licensing change works. Theoretically you can use older versions prior to Act v18 as long as you want provided that you do not have to change machines or do anything that will cause you to have to re-register your Act software. There is no “patch” for your version that would allow you to keep using your existing Act 2010 version. I guess you can look on the bright side and realize that you have used Act for 10 years after your initial purchase. That’s pretty good ROI!
Your only options now are to purchase Act Premium for $420/year/user (although I can offer you a 10% discount) which includes full Swiftpage support, or make a one-time Pro purchase for $299.99 using this link: https://www.act.com/pro/?ror=4000919342. Please note that the Pro version DOES NOT include any support although you can purchase a $40 installation support plan optionally.
Let us know if you have any additional questions!
– The Act Consultants of Tech Benders
Hello,
I have a copy of my licensing agreement. Please have someone indicate where ACT! has the right to make modifications which will prevent me from using it on my own computers, including installing it on a new computer, or re-activating it .
Thanks,
Hi Larry,
I’d like to remind you of a couple of things:
* Sage Software has not owned Act since 2013
* You have used your software free of charge for the last 8 years
* Most companies need to have revenue to stay in business
Most of the larger software companies (Microsoft, Intuit, Adobe) are moving to a subscription basis; that is the only way they are able to keep churning out the necessary changes that consumers demand. Technology is constantly changing and these changes require updated software and hardware. Act is one of the few CRM products that still offers a perpetual license; most CRM products are now cloud-based and sold as a subscription only. I might add that had you been in v18 – v21 you would not have been effected by this change.
Hi Karen,
I’m so glad I found your article. I’m a Sys Admin for a small company that has 1 sales rep using Sage Act 2013 Pro. I need to replace his laptop and just found that I can’t register his copy of Act 2013 after installing in on the new laptop. So I guess I’ll purchase Act Pro v21 per your link above. Are there instructions for converting/upgrading his existing 2013 database into the new installation? Thanks.
Hi Ginny,
Thanks for stopping by Tech Benders! Yes, there are some specific steps to follow that will make the transition much easier. Send me your purchase confirmation and I will send you personalized instructions. It’s actually much easier moving to another computer than just upgrading the existing one as you won’t have to worry about removing SQL.
Hi,
we have act pro 2012, we had a ransomware and we need to reinstall the program, of course no way to register, i need you please to clarify me something, if i buy from you version 21, to be hosted locally and i need 4 lics or 5 lics, how much will cost me for each user and will be one payment only forever, or we will have to pay for it yearly ? Thanks a lot in advance.
Hi Ernesto,
Thanks for stopping by Tech Benders! The current price for Act v21 Pro is $299.99/user. Although I hate to say “forever” you will not have to pay a yearly fee to continue using it. Realize two things; one, Pro does not include ANY support, although I will be happy to send you installation instructions once you purchase. And two, if you want to use Act with Microsoft Office make sure you purchase the full version of Office and not Office 365. As Office 365 updates you will not be able to update your Act accordingly which is why I recommend Act Premium subscription for anyone using Office 365 who wants Act integration.
Hi Karen,
i have another question.
if we get v21, and i have a database backup file from the Act Pro 2012, to allow this database to be available in v21, it is just about to “restore as ” from the zip file ?
which is the way act pro 20102 creates the backup file or will more complications or steps to restore to V21 ?
if we use Ms office 2016 Home and Bus, that will integrate with ACT V21 ?
Thanks in advance
Ernesto Paez
I own Sage Act 2013 (or I thought I did) and recently became a victim of the licensing update after a PC crash. I understand there is an upgrade available for $299? How compatible is the upgrade and will templates / reports be retained? Without available technical support, how challenging is the upgrade to use from my current application? Thank you!
Hi David,
Thanks for stopping by Tech Benders!
Unfortunately, you are not alone. If a hard drive or PC crash requires you to install a version of Act older than v18 you’ll find that you can’t register your software. No problem; you will not lose one drop of data. How hard is it? Theoretically you’ll need to install v16 first, restore and update your database, uninstall v16, reinstall v21 and then restore and update your database. Not up to the challenge? You can add on a $40 installation support plan at any time and Swiftpage will do it for you.
Hi Karen
I hope you don’t mind me reaching out but I stumbled across this page and you seem to know what you’re talking about when it comes to the Act licensing changes.
I have an admin person at my firm who uses Act 13 but on a Windows 7 PC which I need to replace with a Windows 10 PC before the end of the year. It seems like I should just buy the latest version of Act Pro. Does that sound correct? How easy is it to migrate from my existing DB file to work with the newer version of the app?
Hi Ernesto,
Because your current version of Act is so old you will first need to install v16, update your database, uninstall v16 and then install v21 and update your database again. Or, you can simply pay $40 for a 30 day installation support plan and let Swiftpage do it for you which is what I recommend.
And yes, Office 365 will work with Act Pro 21 or 22. However, you want to make sure that you do not let Office upgrade automatically; if it does and your lose the connectivity between Act and Office your only recourse will be to purchase a newer version of Act. And as of June, 2020 there will be no future versions of Act Pro!
Hi Simon,
Glad you found Tech Benders and I’m happy to answer any and all questions.
Yes, you can purchase Act Pro v22. However, that product is being discontinued in June, 2020. If that new PC comes with Office 365 and your user wants to integrate Act with Office 365, you should probably purchase an Act subscription (which I am currently selling to existing Pro users for $225). That way you will be assured that you will always be able to update Act at no charge to match the latest version of Office 365.
I am 20+ year single unser of Act! Pro, current version 13 I will be upgrading operating system on my computer from windows 7 to windows 10, Can I upgrade to Act Pro version 22. I will be shutting down my small business in a couple of years but want to keep contacts. Will there be any security issues in future when v22 isn’t supported.
Hi Doug,
Thanks for stopping by Tech Benders! Yes, you can upgrade to v22; however, you will first have to install v16 to upgrade your database, uninstall it, and then install v22 to upgrade. Or, if you prefer, pay $40 and let Swiftpage do it for you. No one can guarantee that there won’t be any issues with v22 Pro in the future. Because Swiftpage is “sunsetting” the Pro product they will not be releasing any further updates after June, 2020 to patch any security issues that may arise.
Dear Karen, thank goodness there is someone to give clear answers. I am in the same boat as Doug. Forced to upgrade from Win7 to Win10. Act 2013 would not work. Purchased V22 with zero download instructions. There are two different release downloads. Which one do I pick? And obviously they did not work.. and no one tells you that v16 is needed?
But I see from your reply to Doug that first I need a v16 upgrade? Do I have to buy that too?
Where is the $40 help installation page you referred to. This is brutal.
Hi Cara,
Thanks for stopping by Tech Benders. I’m sorry you’ve had a hard time of it but I am happy that you found us 🙂 Whom did you purchase Act from? I’m assuming SwiftPage. I need to find out exactly what version you have and then I can help you with your support options.
Karen, I have Act Pro11 version 13. I have the link to download V 22 with the activation code. Do I uninstall Act 11 prior to downloading 22 or just download 22 and follow instructions?
Hi Ken,
Thanks for visiting Tech Benders! Just wish you would have found us PRIOR to purchasing your software as we included customized installation instructions along with your purchase. You will need to uninstall both Act v13 AND your older version of SQL prior to installing Act v22 Pro. If you run into issues your best bet is to purchase a $40 “installation” policy from Swiftpage.
Hi Karen,
Thanks for your clear responses you’ve posted. Like many others, I currently have ACT 2013 Premium Desktop and have gotten locked out of it after any upgrade. I’d like upgrade to a newer version, but don’t want to go the subscription/off-prem route. Is there an upgrade for ACT 2013 Premium that isn’t subscription-based? If not, can we “upgrade” using ACT Pro route?
Hi Craig,
Thanks for reaching out to techbenders.com!
Theoretically you could purchase a copy of Premium “perpetual” but the price for a single seat is over $1000 so it just doesn’t make sense for most people. And please understand that a subscription does not mean you **have to** have your database hosted; you can continue to house your database on your own computer or server.
Yes, you can go from Act Premium to Act Pro if you want. The current price for Act Pro is $349 (well above the current price of the Act Premium “Growth Suite.” Remember, Act Pro does NOT include support although you can purchase an optional plan. More importantly, the product will be discontinued in June, 2020 which means if you are using Office 365 you wont be able to get the necessary Act updates.
Thanks Karen. First, the current price for Act Pro is a one time payment, while the price of Act Premium “Growth Suite” is an ongoing monthly charge, correct? Second, how can we purchase the software from your group?
Hi Craig,
The Pro product is a one time payment; the Premium “Growth Suite” is a YEARLY charge, not a monthly charge. If you’re interested in purchasing drop a line to Karen@TechBenders.com and let me know which product you prefer, and what version of Act you currently have. Once purchased I will send you your license information and installation instructions.
I purchased act version 18.1 now i have to reinstall on machine again to use but it does not accept same serial. can you please advise how can i be able to use again
Hi Asher,
If your current license number begins with anything other than an “A” you will have to call into Swiftpage to get your updated license number. If you had purchased it from me I would have access to it but I think you purchased Act Pro v18 from another vendor or directly from Swiftpage.
Karen
Dear Karen,
Have been using Act for about 15 years and are presently using Act! 2008 (10) on an old XP machine and it works well.
Uppgrading to a nwe OS10 machine. Will ACT 2008 work with OS10 or is V. 21 the only option?
Hi Paul,
Thanks for stopping by TechBenders.com Theoretically, yes, Act 2008 will work with Windows 10 but you will not be able to register it with your outdated serial number. And yes, you can move to Act v21 although I would recommend Act v22 which is newer and has better pricing. You do have a number of options – you can purchase Pro or Premium. I probably wouldn’t go the Pro route, especially if you plan to use Office 365 with Act, as the product will be discontinued at the end of June.
why isn’t anybody angry with this politics?
We bought 7 licences from Sage and are running ACT!2013Pro. We have substituted a couple of PCs and cannot run ACT! ALTHOUGH our licenses have no time limit – as it should be. This is criminal!
Anyone has an idea on how to bypass registration?
Hi Elli,
I am sorry you are so upset. I am wondering what business you are in? Most businesses survive on revenue. You have used Act for over 9 years; I’d say you got your money’s worth. I have never heard of ANY software with “no time limit.” In fact, when you installed Act 9 years ago you agreed to an EULA (end user license agreement)that basically stated that there was no guarantees as to the longevity of the software.
To me, bypassing licensing is criminal and I’m pretty sure that there are laws that prohibit doing that.
If you do want to upgrade to Act Premium, or maybe move to another CRM solution, feel free to reach out to me at Karen@TechBenders.com. Just realize that no, I do not know of another CRM that will allow you to install and use if for 9 years without paying another cent.
BULL. End user license agreement does not imply that YOU change license conditions at your will. It only states that the software supplier is not bound to issue updates if the software doesn’t work with new software environments.
Hi Elli,
You actually answered your own question when you said, “It (the EULA) only states that the software supplier is not bound to issue updates if the software doesn’t work with new software environments.” In your case you could have continued to use your software indefinitely – as long as nothing changed in your environment. I’m assuming things were working great until something changed; maybe you had to reinstall to another computer, or maybe you upgraded your operating system. That’s when the licensing kicked into play. Another thing to consider is that things change; in the case of Act the company that used to supply their activation codes, Protexis, is no longer offering that service. Swiftpage did create new licenses for users of Act versions 18-21 at no cost. How far back is a manufacturer expected to provide support and remain in business?
Saw your blog posts on this from last year, and thought I’d reach out to see what my options are. I am downsizing my practice and have my contacts, document templates and client deadline calendar on Act!2010. I’m prevented from Registering my existing licensed product, and so am in the middle of a 30-day trial period.
Is cloud-based Act! the only option now? Basically, I use Act! for deadlines (I have numerous custom Activity Series’) and document/report generation (I have numerous custom document templates). Don’t really want to use it for marketing.
Could you explain what my options are, please?
Hi Karl,
No, Act is not “cloud-based only.” You can still purchase Act and install it on your own computer. The only difference is you will now be buying the “Premium” product and you will be required to renew the subscription every year or you will no longer be able to use Act.
Karen
Hello,
I have an old copy of Sage Act! Pro 2012 14.1.108.0 that I’m trying to extract data from. We’re moving onto another CRM and I’m looking for any utility, paid or not, that will allow me to connect to the database or extract data from the application. I tried running reports but they don’t provide the structured data I need.
I understand Sage had provided the ActReader utility for such a purpose for free. The only version I’m able to find is ActReader v21 and above. I need the older version. Does anyone know where I can find it? Or does anyone know of a 3rd party utility I can purchase to access the SQL data from this old version of Act Pro 2012?
Any assistance would be much appreciated! 🙂
Mario
Hi Mario,
Thanks for stopping by Tech Benders! I’m not sure that the ActReader tool is still available as Sage know longer owns Act. And I’m not sure that this tool is the one that would get you what you need. We can help you get all of your data out of Act – no matter what version – and into .csv/.xlsx format which can be then easily imported to most CRM products. Give us a call at 561-470-5450 x1.
Karen
Funny I came across this. Another veteran of 20 years of Act. Found the 2010 version suited my needs, have kept using it. So of course my hard drive did crash this past week. Everything was backed up and up to speed except ACT 2010.
I’m heartbroken. And being sixty five years old , I’m not about to buy a newer version or upgrade. Just not how I’m made.
If anyone can give any advice I have my S/N from the program being loaded in an older laptop – moved to this newer laptop three years ago. The battery expanded and caused the crash – I’m actually fortunate that no major damage was done from that.
Anyways they are trying to salvage ACT from the drive but not looking good. I’m heartbroken.
Hi Mark,
Glad you found Tech Benders! Sad that you never used the Act Scheduler that would have allowed you to make backups automatically. That’s why it’s always a good idea to purchase your software from Tech Benders; we send out instructions with your software purchase that includes that.
I can probably help you get your Act data back from the hard drive and if “everything was backed up” as you state chances are good that there are enough remnants from that for us to put your database back together again.
What I can’t help you with is getting your 12 year old Act 2010 to work again. The registration system has changed so you won’t be able to register the software. Act is now sold as a subscription (yearly renewal required) but I do have a few seats of Act Pro and could sell you one of those.
Karen:
Thanks for providing so much info to us laggard ACT users. I have 2011 on Windows 10 and learned about the new registration system last week when I migrated to a new laptop.
In your last comment, you told Mark you “still have a few seats of Act Pro and could sell [him] one of those.”
1) By “Act Pro,” do you mean the desktop (non-subscription) type?
2) Do you have any seats left? If so, which version? Can you point me to a purchase page?
3) What do I have to do to prepare an ACT 2011 database for an up-to-date version of ACT? In this thread on Dec 2, 2019, you told Doug it was best to have Swiftpage perform the conversion. Still the best bet?
Many thanks,
John
Hi John,
Thanks for stopping by Tech Benders! Yes, Act Pro is the “desktop, non-subscription” form of Act. Yes, I have a few boxes of Act v 22 Pro left at $369.95. This was the last version of Act Pro. I will email you with the purchase details.
Since support for Act Pro is unavailable through Swiftpage, the manufacturer, you’ll probably need our help to convert your database. You can call Kim at 561-470-5450 x2 for details. Alternatively, if you want to do it yourself you will need to uninstall both your existing versions of Act and SQL, find a copy of v16, install that, convert your database, uninstall both Act and SQL and then install v22.
Speaking of support, do not purchase Act Pro if you have Office 365 on your new laptop and plan to integrate either Outlook, Word or Excel in any way to Act. If that’s your plan you will need to purchase Act Premium desktop for $290 which includes support for both converting your database and Office 365 integration. However, that product requires a yearly subscription.
Hope this helps,
Karen
I have ACT! 2013. I have so much information in the Notes tab for hundreds of contact entries. Questions:
Do you still have ACT Pro available for sale?
How much will data conversion cost?
Will I have ongoing costs?
Thank you. I appreciate it.
Hi Danny,
Thanks for stopping by Tech Benders. Yes, we have Act Pro v24 available for sale. You can purchase it here. No, you will not have any ongoing costs but if you are using Office 365 and want to integrate Excel, Word or Outlook with Act I don’t recommend this product as you will lose the integration sometime in the future. As far as converting your database it’s relatively easy for us to do. For more information send me an email at Info@TechBenders.com.
Hi Karen
Back in 2014 I purchased the above version of ACT, which was used for a newly formed company on a laptop. Since then the laptop has been wiped clean and therefore we have lost the license key. Now when we have reinstalled the software, it only gives us a 30 day trial
Is it possible to get a license key, so that we can use our copy of ACT?
We would like to use it on Windows 10 or 11, we also use Office 365
Kind regards
Gary
Hi Gary, unfortunately there is nothing I can offer you that meets your requirements. Act! Pro, the perpetual license that you had, was discontinued last month. You could purchase the Premium version and install it on your desktop; the current pricing is $355 for the year and it requires a yearly fee.
I work with Zoho which has lower cost options but it is 100% web based and requires a yearly or monthly fee. They do have plans as low as $7/month but you would have to pay for someone like me to convert your data if you want your notes and histories.
I have the same story has many people: I have used ACT! since the early 1990s and have a ton of historical information in my notes. My broker/dealer has their own CRM which they make me pay for and use, but I keep duplicate notes in ACT! and use ACT! for printing envelopes/writing letters only, nothing internet based, so I am not that concerned with security. The version I have been using is Pro 2012, which is more complex than I wanted. Sadly, my computer with ACT! crashed, and while I do have the serial number and activation code from the last install, they no longer work. I take it from what I read above that I missed buying a perpetual license product by one month. Given my limited use of the product, what are my options? Is there a way that I can buy a version of ACT! with a perpetual license on the secondary market?
I always look on the bright side. You have used your last version of Act for well over 10 years so your annual cost was somewhere under $20/year. I’d say you’ve gotten your money’s worth but unfortunately software manufacturers can’t survive in that environment. I would strongly advise against trying to purchase a perpetual license on the secondary market; the software registration is 100% controlled by Act and they are no longer creating new license keys. Anything you purchase has most probably been installed at least one time and can no longer be activated. The least expensive option for you is to move to Act Cloud at $360/year. However, I have a protocol I always go through with my Act clients prior to switching so make sure to check with me first before you make the move.