Tuesday, October 26, 2021 @ 12:00 PM EST

What’s Happening with ACT! CRM?

Are you wondering if ACT! CRM is still the right solution for your business?

If you’ve been using ACT! for years, you’re not alone. Many businesses have relied on ACT! to manage their customers for decades. In fact, many of our clients have used ACT! for 15, 20, or even 30 years.

But lately, we’re hearing the same frustrations over and over again.

“ACT! isn’t what it used to be.”

“Every update seems to create another problem.”

“I’m spending more time fixing my CRM than using it.”

At Tech Benders, we’ve specialized in ACT! CRM for more than 20 years. We’ve helped thousands of users repair databases, recover passwords, provide technical support, and migrate nearly 400 businesses from ACT! to modern CRM platforms like Zoho CRM.

If you’ve been feeling frustrated, you’re definitely not alone.

The Biggest Complaints We’re Hearing About ACT! CRM

Act! Desktop Version Continues to Get More Difficult to Maintain

Many customers love ACT! Premium Desktop because it’s familiar and stores data locally. Unfortunately, maintaining desktop software has become increasingly difficult.

Common issues include:

Windows updates breaking ACT!
SQL Server problems
Slow performance
Installation failures
Remote access challenges
Multi-user synchronization issues
Frequent database maintenance
Backup and restore complications

Many users tell us they spend more time maintaining ACT! than actually using it.

The Act! Web Version Still Doesn’t Match Desktop

For years, ACT! users have hoped the web version would eventually offer everything the desktop version provides.

Unfortunately, many desktop features still aren’t available in the browser version, making it difficult for companies that rely on advanced ACT! functionality. Users often find themselves compromising on features simply to gain remote access.

Rising Costs of Act! CRM

The total cost of owning ACT! has increased considerably.

Many businesses now pay separately for:

Annual subscriptions
Premium support
Hosting
Marketing services
Add-ons
Remote access solutions
SQL Server licensing

When everything is added together, ACT! can become surprisingly expensive compared to today’s cloud CRM solutions.

Act’s Aging Technology

ACT! remains a capable CRM, but there’s no denying that its architecture reflects decades of development. Even independent reviews continue to praise its flexibility while noting that the interface feels dated and the learning curve is steeper than newer CRM platforms.

Modern CRMs have evolved significantly with features such as:

AI assistants
Workflow automation
Mobile-first design
Integrated email
Built-in analytics
Customer portals
Electronic signatures
Low-code customization
Hundreds of third-party integrations

Many ACT! users find themselves purchasing additional products to accomplish what newer CRMs provide out of the box.

Act! Technical Support Has Become More Challenging

Many former ACT! consultants have retired or moved on to newer CRM platforms.

That leaves users struggling to find experienced professionals who truly understand:

Database repairs
Synchronization
SQL Server
Custom layouts
Report design
Password recovery
Data cleanup
Version upgrades

Fortunately, Tech Benders continues to provide all of these services.

The Fear of Migrating

One of the biggest reasons businesses stay with ACT! is fear.

They worry about losing:

Notes
Histories
Activities
Opportunities
Documents
Custom fields
Groups
Relationships

The good news?

A properly planned migration doesn’t have to mean losing your valuable customer history.

At Tech Benders we’ve successfully migrated over 400 ACT! databases while preserving the information that businesses depend on every day.

Should You Stay with ACT!?

Not necessarily.

ACT! is still a good fit for some organizations.

If your database is working well, your users are productive, and the software meets your needs, there may be no reason to change.

However, if you’re constantly fighting technical problems, paying increasing maintenance costs, or struggling to work remotely, it may be time to explore your options.

Thinking About Moving to Zoho CRM?

Many former ACT! customers are choosing Zoho CRM because it offers:

Cloud access from anywhere
Powerful automation
AI-powered sales assistant
Email marketing
Integrated phone systems
Built-in dashboards
Mobile apps
Hundreds of integrations
Easy scalability
Lower long-term costs

Even better, we can export virtually all of your ACT! data—including notes, histories, activities, attachments, opportunities, and custom fields—so your investment in ACT! isn’t lost.

We Still Support ACT!

Not ready to migrate?

That’s perfectly fine.

We continue to help ACT! users every day with:

ACT! technical support
Act! Database repairs
Password recovery
Performance tuning
Version upgrades
Data cleanup
Consulting
Custom reports
Training
Act! Migration planning

Whether you want to keep ACT! running or you’re ready to explore something new, we’re here to help.

Let’s Talk About Your Options

Every ACT! database is different.

We’ll help you determine whether it’s more cost-effective to repair your current system, optimize what you have, or migrate to a modern CRM like Zoho.

There’s no pressure—just honest advice based on more than two decades of ACT! experience.

Contact Tech Benders today to schedule a co

What Will the Webinar Cover?

All there is to know about the Act Plans & Pricing
What are your options and alternatives?
Plenty of time for you to ask your questions about Act or other CRM products!