A couple of events signal an exciting time of year for ACT!.  One is when beta for the next release begins and another when Early Bird sales begin.  Beta started on June 30 and Early Bird Sales started yesterday - July 14!  Here’s an update on both. 

 

I have been especially excited about ACT! 2010 since we previewed the release with our ACT! Certified Consultants (ACC’s) in May at the Sage Insights Conference.  The reviews from this group of ACT! specialists were nothing short of phenomenal.  The ACC’s were impressed by the thought that went into ACT! 2010 - from usability tests which guided changes in navigation to the range of high impact new features - they were anxious to start talking about ACT! 2010 right away! 

 

Beta feedback has been equally positive.  Last week we held focused “Beta Day” events with groups of ACC’s in several cities across the United States.   We received excellent feedback from this highly energized group of special participants.  The broader end-user Beta is also going well.  Less than 2 weeks into the program we are oversubscribed and have more than 1400 posts to the ACT! 2010 Beta Newsgroup.  To our Beta users, we ask quantitative and qualitative questions as part of “homework” surveys.  Here is a sample of questions and top 2 box responses (5 boxes – Very satisfied, Somewhat satisfied, Neutral, Somewhat dissatisfied, Dissatisfied) from the survey as of July 14:

  

  • Overall, how would you rate your product experience with this beta version of ACT!?  83% Top 2 Box
  • How strongly do you agree with the statement "ACT! by Sage 2010 will help grow my business"? 75% Top 2 Box
  • How strongly do you agree with the statement "ACT! by Sage 2010 will help me become more productive"? 83% Top 2 Box
  • Compared to the navigation in previous versions of ACT!, would you say the navigation experience in ACT! 2010 is: 73% Top 2 Box
  • On a scale of 1-10, "1" being not at all likely and "10" being very likely: How Likely would you be to recommend ACT! 2010 to a friend or colleague? 65% Top 2 Box (rated as 9 or 10)
  • Would you participate in another ACT! beta program?  99% Top Box

 

Equally exciting are qualitative comments we received from Beta users.  Here’s a sample: 

 

  • “Great to see this feature [iCalendar] incorporated. You people have really out done yourselves with the new features this year. It is nice not to have to switch back and forth between ACT! and outlook. ” 
  • “Have been testing this and so far I really like it.  I have used other programs, GM for example, and so far this out performs it.” 
  • “Long time user of ACT! and continue to love the product and evolution it has taken.” 
  • “I certainly can be more productive as ACT! by Sage 2010 is faster and easier to use than previous editions.” 
  • “This version is by far the best ever. You will blow away your competition on this version. I never used the Opportunity layout before and now I spent all my time there trying to tailor it to my needs. Awesome! Give yourselves a pat on the back. I am an ACT! addict now.” 
  • “The Web Info tab is great and VERY beneficial to a sales team needing to get background information about a potential client.  Great Idea!”

 

As you can imagine, the enitre ACT! team is excited and anxious to unfold the next chapter of one of the longest running titles in the SW industry.  As mentioned, Early Bird Sales in North America for ACT! 2010 started yesterday.  If you already received an offer, simply follow the link or call instructions.  If you did not, and you live in North America, click on the url below or simply call us at:

 

888-507-2010

 http://offer.act.com/2010/landing/index/EBSLSTDSU9 

 

If you live outside of North America, ACT! 2010 information will be available soon from your regional Sage Operating Company. 

 

I hope you enjoy what we’ve done with ACT! – also, note some of the capabilities we discussed in our recent 3 part series “Social Contact Management” made their way into ACT! 2010 – check out the “web information” tab! 

 

Regards, Larry