Ah, the 1990s—a simpler time when your biggest tech worry was whether your dial-up modem would scream its way to a connection. Back then, if your computer misbehaved or you needed to install software like ACT! CRM, help often came in the form of a living, breathing tech support agent. That’s right: a human being would show up at your house or office, toolkit in hand, ready to rescue you from the abyss of error messages and frozen screens.
Fast forward to today, and tech support looks very different. Instead of waiting for someone to physically knock on your door, you’re more likely to get a link to a Zoom meeting or a remote desktop session. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane to compare the then and now of tech support, especially when it comes to the daunting task of installing or upgrading CRM software.
The 1990s: The Era of House Calls
If you were using a CRM system in the ’90s, there’s a good chance it was ACT! CRM. Installing it was not for the faint of heart. You’d pop in a CD-ROM (or, heaven help you, a stack of floppy disks) and follow a set of instructions that may or may not have made sense. The process often involved tinkering with your computer’s settings, deciphering cryptic error codes, and praying that the install didn’t conflict with something else on your hard drive.
When things inevitably went sideways, you’d call a local Act! Certified Consultant and they’d schedule an appointment. A techie would arrive, troubleshoot the issue, and maybe even offer you a lecture on why you should have more RAM. While this hands-on approach was comforting, it also meant delays, extra costs, and sometimes the awkwardness of having a stranger poke around your workspace.
Today: Welcome to Remote Everything
Fast forward to now, and the CRM landscape has evolved dramatically. ACT! has been largely eclipsed by cloud-based systems like Zoho CRM, which deliver easier installations, frequent updates, and the ability to access your data anywhere. The days of CD-ROMs are gone; now you just click “Install” or even better, open a browser.
If you’re still clinging to your outdated Act! software you’ll be left to figure out SQL updates, office compatibility and scary warning messages pretty much on your own. you’ll find that the army of local Act! consultants has been replaced by offshore tech support agents. And no, they don’t make house calls! In fact, they won’t even remote into your machine without adding an extra fee on to the price of your software.
But let’s be honest: “easier” doesn’t always mean “easy.” CRM migrations, API integrations, and data imports can still feel overwhelming. The good news? You’re not alone. Zoho has thousands of Zoho consultants worldwide. The bad news? You’re not getting a house call.
Modern tech support relies heavily on remote tools. Having trouble? Call a Zoho consultant who will take over your screen remotely. And, because most Zoho consultants won’t travel to your location, chances are good that you will be able to schedule an appointment fairly quickly.
Final Thoughts: Bridging the Gap
While we might fondly remember the ’90s for its hands-on tech support, it’s hard to argue with the convenience and efficiency of modern remote services. Sure, there’s a learning curve—and you’ll still occasionally want to pull your hair out—but the ability to resolve issues in real time, from anywhere, is a game-changer.
So whether you’re upgrading to Zoho or build a complex automation remember: we’ve come a long way. And hey, at least you don’t have to clear your afternoon for a house call!
