I have no idea where the rumors are starting that Act Pro is no longer available. Although its future is questionable, the latest version of Act Pro (Act Pro v21) is still available. I should know as I am still selling a lot of it!
David F wrote this email to me today:
“I’m using version 20.1.120.0 Update 8. I’ve been using Act! almost from the time of it’s entry into the marketplace. As I understand the situation, Act! Pro version 21 will become unsupported after Nov. 30, 2021 and Act! Pro will no longer be sold. Am I correct? I’m trying to decide if I should upgrade to Version 21 and “kick the can down the road” to November 2021, of if I should instead switch to Act! Premium. I am a one-man business, using Act! for personal contacts, a home-based reading and math teaching business, and a home-based network marketing business that is starting to expand. The only advantage I see to Act! Premium is it’s cloud based so I would have access to some functions on my cell phone, but it sounds like a cell phone interface is a web browser interface that doesn’t provide as much function as my Windows based desktop. Would the cell phone interface give full access to contact information, scheduling and contact notes and history? Am I missing significant reasons for choosing to now switch to Act! Premium instead of moving up to Version 21?”
Michael C wrote:
“I called ACT! previously and was told that they did not sell a non-subscription anymore. That their program would lock-up after a year, if your subscription was not renewed. It looks like your disk requires no subscription? Does this disk/program come with any included support from ACT!? I want to upgrade but not excited about getting on a subscription. I need ACT! support though.”
So lets breakdown the fallacies:
- FALSE: As I understand the situation, Act! Pro version 21 will become unsupported after Nov. 30, 2021 and Act! Pro will no longer be sold. Although I think Pro will be discontinued at some point in the not too distant future no specific date has been determined.
- FALSE: Act! Premium is cloud based. Although Premium can be hosted you can also install it on your computer in the same exact way you install Act Pro.
- TRUE: I would have access to some functions on my cell phone with Act Premium. The Premium subscription version includes “Act Connect” which will allow you to use the Act Companion phone app on Android and Apple devices; this does not require that your database be “in the clouds.”
- FALSE: The cell phone interface gives full access to contact information, scheduling and contact notes and history. By definition, an app is a mini piece of software. Act Companion does not allow you to see all of your Act fields and you can’t access notes and histories. However, improvements are being made all the time to Act Companion so these features may be added in the near future.
- KIND OF: I called ACT! and was told that they did not sell a non-subscription anymore. Swiftpage is no longer selling Pro directly; however, it is still available from Act Consultants like myself.
- KIND OF: Act will lock-up after a year if you do not renew your subscription. Your data is your data; if it resides on your own computer it will not go away. If you have Pro installed your data will be accessible as long as you can continue to open Act. If you are on a Premium subscription and “let it lapse” you will not be able to open Act but your data is still intact.
- FALSE: Act Pro includes a “disk.” Considering the fact that most modern computers don’t include CD drives it’s no wonder that ALL versions of Act are now sold as a downloadable file.
- TRUE: Act Pro does not come with any included support from SwiftPage. Only Act Premium includes support. However, you can purchase support plans if you need Pro support. Or you can always reach out to Tech Benders as we will continue to support Act Pro.
Click Here to Purchase Act v21 Pro.
Please feel free to leave a comment after this post if you still have questions. Click Here to learn more about the differences between Act Pro and Act Premium.
Thanks for the call and for the extra few minutes of your time. I also have appreciated that you’ve always been accommodating with me, which is the same way I’ve treated my customers for the last 45 years!
I got to thinking about what you explained regarding how much longer I could continue using the new version as long as nothing major on my computer changed.
I don’t believe I was mistaken about the “suggested”, scary prospect of losing all my contacts and data if I didn’t upgrade, that I saw in the emails I received from several Master ACT Distributors and I think from Swiftpage, that one day the company could block my access to my version and data. If that’s not true for V21, would this also hold true for my current version? In your objective opinion, is there any benefit for me to upgrade to the newer version?
None the less, if I do decide to do so, is the transition the same going to V21 as the prior upgrade? (i.e. Downloading and then all the data in my current version will flow over?)
Hi Stuart,
In answer to your questions:
* Yes, there is a possibility that you could be locked out of Act if you are on a version older than v18 as the licensing structure has changed to a new system. You can get the new licensing format for v18 and newer by calling Swiftpage support.
* Moving from Act v18 to v21 is easy and yes all of your data will “flow over.” When you purchase from me I send along instructions which will simplify the process for you.
I have many years of data marooned in act 2009. Now that I’m unable to install new instances of 2009 I’m worried about losing access to my data. Considering purchasing Pro v21 and wanted to make sure I’m not just delaying the same issue a couple of year and that 2009 and v21 are compatible as far as importing goes.
Hi Brent,
I can guarantee that you will be able to get all of your data out of ACT! 2009 and get it into v21. Because you’ve waited so long to upgrade you might find that you will need a bit of help. If you purchase v21 Pro you can also purchase a support package ($40/user) with SwiftPage and they will do it for you. If not you would have to find a copy of v16, update the database, and then install v21 which might be a bit tricky for you as there are 3 different versions of SQL involved.
I can’t guarantee that ACT! v21 Pro will give you another 10 years of usage; I am predicting that ACT! v22 will be the final year for ACT! Pro. SwiftPage, like many other software products, is moving towards a subscription only platform. Software companies can’t keep up with the demand for newer features and compatibility without having a steady flow of income to support these changes.
Let me know if you have additional questions or if you would like me so send you an invoice.
Hi Brent,
I have ACT premium 20.something. If I cancel the subscription will I be locked out of my desktop access? I know the cloud goes away but what about the “resident” access and functionality. Thanks.
Steve
Hi Steve,
Thanks for stopping by Tech Benders!
Yes, without an active license you will not be able to access your data so please make a backup prior to cancelling your subscription. I have ways to help you migrate to another system if that is your intention, or you might consider purchasing Act Pro which is a one-time purchase. However, if you integrate Act with Office 365 it’s best to stay on the subscription model. If you’d like, contact me directly at karen@techbenders.com and I can go over your options.
Karen
Hi,
I have ACT! Pro 2011 and can no longer access my files. I am looking for a similar non subscription alternative that I can transfer my files to. Do you know of any solution to my problem?
Hi Jeff,
You are probably finding that you can’t register your outdated Act 2011 Pro. You can purchase Act v21 Pro (which currently includes Act v22 Pro free of charge) for $199.99 which is a great bargain. This option does not require a subscription. Email me if you would like more information.
Karen
Hi Karen,
W7 support ending forced me to buy a new computer & I found out the hard way that there’s no way to unlock ACT! Pro 2013 on it. Guess I’m a candidate for v21.
You appear to be most helpful on the subject. However, it looks like the price has jumped from $200 last November to $349. Please comment.
Of interest is the SQL server change. I’ve made ham-handed attempts to see if v14 is on my version of W10 to no avail. The older version is as I got 2013 to work (albeit with the trial period). Do your v21 installation instructions cover installing/activating the newer one?
P.S. My ACT! backup quit working years ago: I use a global backup on an external drive.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for finding us at TechBenders.com
First of all, you can move to either Act Pro v21 or Act Pro v22; you are correct that you won’t be able to register Act Pro 2013 on a new machine. And yes, there was a great promotion going on through 12/31/19 that you just missed. Just remember that Act Pro is being discontinued in June, 2020. That means that if you have Office 365 and want to connect Act to your Office products (including Outlook) you are best off buying a subscription for $225.
As far as the SQL portion, that comes as part of your Act purchase, not part of your computer purchase, so when you purchase Act Pro v21 or Act Pro v22 the correct (latest) version of SQL Express will automatically install. If you have already been “experimenting” I would recommend that you uninstall your “experiments.” And yes, my instructions include how to remove the older versions of SQL.
LOL, sorry Steve, you only get one question! There are a number of reasons your backup stopped working but you should get it fixed. It could be that you were trying to backup to a “cloud” drive or perhaps you have too many attachments (which are usually caused by setting the Outlook preferences to “create attachment” for ALL your email. At any rate, have you ever tried restoring your Act backup from the “global backup?” Often the Act files are skipped during the backup process as they are “open” in SQL. And, if you aren’t using the Act Scheduler I betcha you aren’t doing weekly maintenance either!
I have ACT V17 and was happy with it. But I had to reload and now have no activation code. I don’t have a current version of Office – using 2013, and use older Microsoft Operating system as well. Need my database but don’t want to buy all new software to get it. What are my options?
Hi Eddie,
Thanks for stopping by Tech Benders. You are looking at a blog article from several years ago. Act! Pro 21 is no longer available at that price. In fact, Act! Pro v21 is no longer available. Your only options are to purchase an annual subscription or Act Pro v24.
Act! Pro v24 runs $449.99. You can purchase it here. Support is optional but if you purchase through me I send you complete upgrade/installation instructions.
Hi, I am running Act! Pro Version 21.1.187.0, Update 4 on Windows 10 and having problem with it quite regularly hanging. Can anything be done about that?
Hi Rifat,
Yes, we continue to support Act Pro v21 databases. It sounds like you might have a corrupted database; if so, we can help you. Can you isolate when this happens? I’m going to guess it happens when you are trying to edit or create an activity as Activities are the most common area of Act to show signs of corruption. Monitor your database, see if you can find a pattern and then get back to us.
A couple of questions. I’m still running the pro v21 version of ACT. We swapped a computer out this weekend and uninstalled ACT off the old computer. When trying to activate ACT on the new machine, it is telling me I don’t have enough licenses to do this. I tried to update the computer name to match what we have on file with ACT. When trying to manage the subscription it is telling me that it is “unable to authenticate user”. Do you have any ideas on how we can get ACT activated on the new computer?
The second question is what are some options outside of ACT. We need ACT for the following functions:
1) Maintain names, addresses, telephone, email, and birthdays for clients and office staff.
2) Calendar and appointment setting capabilities for at least four of the staff at our office.
3) Enter basic notes regarding clients.
4) Try to avoid options that are subscription-based.
I have been using ACT Pro v21 on my desktop for years and have been very happy. I know it is no longer supported but I wanted to ask if I get a laptop is there a way i can move the program over to the laptop. Pretty sure I can move the database over but not sure about the program.
Hi Fil,
That totally depends on two things: will the laptop have Windows 10 and have you installed Act! only once before? Act! 21 is not Windows 11 compatible so you might have trouble installing it. In addition, you are limited to 2 Act! installs for a single license unless support is willing to remove one of the previous activations for you.
Hi David,
Per your questions:
1) Maintain names, addresses, telephone, email, and birthdays for clients and office staff.
Well, if you don’t want to invest in a software product I suppose you could just use a spreadsheet. Of course, you won’t be able to track Notes or Actvities.
2) Calendar and appointment setting capabilities for at least four of the staff at our office.
You’ve just made life more interesting. I honestly don’t know how you will be able to share a calendar without purchasing some sort of CRM. Maybe you could use a wall calendar?
3) Enter basic notes regarding clients.
You could just write things down on a legal pad.
4) Try to avoid options that are subscription-based.
I get asked this question at least once a day. I understand that you don’t want to continue to pay for your software. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any CRM systems that are either free or let you purchase them as a one time perpetual license.
5) When trying to activate ACT on the new machine, it is telling me I don’t have enough licenses to do this. I tried to update the computer name to match what we have on file with ACT. When trying to manage the subscription it is telling me that it is “unable to authenticate user”. Do you have any ideas on how we can get ACT activated on the new computer?
Act allows you to install the software two times per license. After that you can theoretically call Act support and have them “release” some of the old computers that had Act on them. However, I’m not sure that support will still help you with Act 21.
If you want to purchase Act I can help you get the best possible price. However, it will require an annual subscription. I can also help you move to another, less expensive product. However, you will need to pay to convert your data and you will have to learn new software.
i need a lic for V21 Pro
The Act Pro product is no longer available for sale. Be careful if you do find one on the Internet; the registration is limited to 2 installs so if you might not be able to register it.