Act Speeds Up, Leaves Some Data Behind
Best Software's Act 2005 contact manager features a spruced-up interface that prominently displays today's appointments.
Act 2005 is a major revamp of Best Software's venerable contact management software. Its new interface is largely an evolutionary jump, but the new database underneath effectively makes this a 1.0 release. As a result, longtime fans may find that converting their data to the new Act is tricky, and they'll definitely discover that some features are missing.
Act lets you consolidate all of your client information--from contact details to phone calls, e-mail, and in-person meeting notes--in one place. The problem with older versions was that, as you added more clients, the database slowed to a crawl. Act 2005 works with Microsoft's powerful SQL Server 2000 Desktop Edition database, so performance is no longer a problem.
The switch can cause problems for existing users, however, because some custom layouts and templates may fail to map to the new database structure. I was able to import most data without issue, but I did find that I could no longer copy data from my Palm to Act (Best Software says that it will restore this feature in 2005).
Overall, Act 2005 proved a mixed bag. A faster database is good, but nagging issues concerning older files make it hard to fully recommend.
Dennis O'ReillyBest Software ACT 2005
Better performance than previous versions; but moving old data in can be tricky, and some old features are missing. Price when reviewed: $230 full; $150 upgradeCurrent Prices (if available)