Compare Act Database fields to an external CSV tabel, then update Act! fields based on values in CSV [ Edited ]

[cjayd34]

Hi

As an example I have 10,000 contacts in Act

I now have a CSV table with 2000 entries, all related to contacts within the 10,000 user Act database

What I want to do is - using a common field between the lists (say the email field as the common identifier)   is to UPDATE act with new information from the CSV

This relates specifically to a 'bounced email' list

So I either want to

1) Put some text in History to indicate the 'old' email addresses are no longer valid

OR

2) to update a field I have created in Act (ie created a dead-mail-box field for my own purposes)

Could anyone offer suggestions as to the easiest way to do this

Carl Dipane

Message Edited by tmergel on 01-25-2010 08:59 AM

[GLComputing]

The only way to do this is with an add-on such as itImport - for the functions you mention, the Standard edition would be enough

[cjayd34]

MIke

I've looked at your utility in the past - and know that sooner or later I need to 'take the easy route and go with your product!.

It looks good

Carl 

[gleo]

Carl

An add-on application is not the only choice you have.

Be aware, that add-on applications such as itImport require you to purchase an upgrade each time you upgrade ACT! If you upgrade ACT! Annually, then effectively you are paying a subscription fee for what is a relatively straightforward task, achievable with a custom plugin development. In most situations that plugin will not require any updating between versions of ACT! unless there is a substantive change to the table structure that is involved. For instance as in the case of the opportunities entity with the introduction of ACT! 2010. 

Before purchasing any add-on software it pays to research the licence requirements, and product constraints.

[cjayd34]

Graeme

I fully understand - and appreciate your posting

Regards

Carl 

Message Edited by cjayd34 on 02-01-2010 04:06 AM

[rbrust]

Carl -

From my experience, there are three options for this - two involve addons, one *might* work.

First, the two addons:

1. SwiftPage - would allow you to use their service to send emails, and capture all unsubscribes/bounces/etc.  Very complete - like ConstantContact if you've heard of that.

2. MailMerge from Northwoods Software - where you use your own mail server, but it does have the capabilities to capture bounces/unsubscribes *and* update ACT!.  Very nice product, I've installed it in a few client sites.

Now, another idea that might help is to use your csv file and just import it - using the email as the duplicate checker, and the "note" as the merge field, or add another column to the csv file that maps to a column in ACT!.  Not sure of this one, it's just an idea - I've not tested it, nor even thought through the whole process - just wanted to throw it out :-)

Hope this helps...