How can CD Consulting Group assist me with my ACT! Conversion?

CD Consulting Group has performed many conversions. We strive for excellent and maintain a high level of integrity about our work. The stuff at CD Consulting Group combined experience is 40+ years in the computer and database industry.

How long does a data conversion take?

Data conversions typically take from 3 - 5 days to complete.

Can I do a data import instead of a conversion?

Yes, 'data import' only approach will allow for importing of field data only into the new database. Any other element such as calendars, reports, Notes/History, templates, etc will not 'come over' from the old database. This process can usually be completed in 3 to 6 hours depending on the number of fields and records involved.

Why does it take so long?

Since the newer versions of ACT! are a completely different foundational architecture the preparation and execution of the conversion is arduous and must be handled carefully. Very important, even with best efforts, it is common to have some type of 'fall out' when the conversion is done. See below for more details on this aspect. Please see below for a high level snapshot of all the activities involved with a conversion.

What's needed to prepare our hardware?

Check your hardware

Our real life experience dictates the System Requirements you will find at the end of this document. We have found that meeting the system requirements is a have to do…not a nice to do. This is critical to a successful database experience.

Install ACT! 2007 Premium for Workgroups for each end user and on the server as appropriate

What needs to be done to prepare the ACT! database?

Clients To-Do List

Delete all unnecessary users

Delete all unnecessary records

Clear all past activities. You cannot have more than 300 total open/past un-cleared activities

Delete unnecessary history line items

Delete any unnecessary Groups

Determine any unnecessary fields.

Delete all unnecessary users

Services provided by CD Consulting

Review special considerations regarding attachments. IE, attachments stored in various places

Review secondary contacts and the impact of these on the conversion

Review username/password information

Review Record Manager issues (i.e. 'Unknown Users' )

Review synchronization requirements and perform a synch with all users

Review email /user preferences. These will not convert, user must note them before conversion

Ensure there are no 'illegal' fields. IE fields with special characters etc. Each field must be examined

Review Primary fields. If any were ever renamed, this must be resolved before conversion

Delete unnecessary fields

Fix any field formatting issues

Ensure there are no special characters or other 'illegal' texts in each field pull down

Create clean copy of the database and do a complete data import. (This step alone can take 3-6 hours)

Database maintenance. This is necessary to ensure that the conversion is done off of a 'clean' database

Complete the conversion

What are some important facts about Conversion 'Fall Out'?

As noted above there is a high probability that some type of manual cleanup is required after the conversion. In fact, there are some things that just simply do not convert. There is a chance that some field data will drop. We do everything in our power to minimize this but frankly Sage Software cannot provide any foolproof method for 100% data conversion simply due to the nature of the major architectural change involved.

What usually converts without hardly any incidents?

1. Contact records and all field data (some records may drop out unexpectedly, and you may have issues with some fields)
2. Notes/History and Activity tab information (sometimes there are glitches..ie assigning too another user.. private activates not accessible by person who made them etc)
3. Groups*
4. Templates*
5. Layouts**+
6. Attachments*

* These items convert "in general", however there is no guarantee that any element will convert cleanly or completely. Consultant can provide manual clean up services after the conversion for an additional fee. **+ Standard conversion service will include the consultant verifying that one layout , of the clients choosing, converts cleanly. If parts of the layout do not convert cleanly, Consultant can provide manual clean up services for these items for an additional fee.

What will not convert either at all, or in a 'clean' manner?

1. Custom menu/toolbars
2. Activity Series
3. Reports
4. Synchronization settings
5. Outlook activities updated to ACT!
6. Macros
7. Queries
8. Some preferences
9. Secondary contacts
10. Fields - some fields may alter in data structure

*These items may require a manual clean up. Clean up is not provided as part of standard conversion pricing. Clean up activities may be performed under separate agreement.