Introduction

Welcome back to the second part of Tony Holowitz’s tutorial on backing up your ACT! data. In this segment, Tony demonstrates an efficient way to automate the backup process using ACT! Scheduler. By scheduling backups, you can ensure that your data remains secure without the need for manual intervention.

1: Introducing ACT! Scheduler

1. Seamless Automation: Tony introduces ACT! Scheduler as a powerful tool to automate the backup process. With this feature, you can schedule regular database backups, eliminating the need for manual backups and reducing the risk of data loss.
2. ACT! Demo Database: For demonstration purposes, Tony uses the ACT 2014 demo database and guides you through the steps to set up scheduled backups.

2: Step-by-Step Guide to Automating Backups

1. Accessing ACT! Scheduler: To begin, navigate to “Tools” and select “ACT! Scheduler” from the dropdown menu.
2. Creating a Backup Task: Click on “Create a Task” to set up a scheduled backup task.
3. Selecting the Database: In the prompt, choose the database you want to back up, and click “Next.”
4. Username: Provide a username for the backup task, for example, “Chris Hoffman,” and proceed by clicking “Next.”
5. Backup or Maintenance: You can use ACT! Scheduler for both database backup and maintenance tasks. In this tutorial, Tony focuses on the backup option.
6. Choosing Backup Location: Specify the backup location; Tony recommends using the default “ACT Data Backup” folder for convenience.
7. Number of Backup Files: Customize the number of backup files to retain. Tony advises opting for a larger number, such as 40, to ensure ample data history.
8. Backup Frequency: Select the backup frequency from the options: “None,” “Hourly,” “Daily,” or “Weekly.” Tony suggests daily backups or weekdays (Monday to Friday) based on business needs.
9. Setting the Start Time: Configure the start time for the backups. Tony advises choosing after hours to avoid interrupting daily operations.
10. Optional Email Notification: Optionally, set up email notifications to receive backup completion alerts. Although not covered in this tutorial, Tony acknowledges its significance.
11. Completing the Setup: Click “Finish” to complete the scheduled backup setup.

Conclusion

Thanks to Tony Holowitz’s expert guidance, you now have an effective method to automate the backup process for your ACT! data. By using ACT! Scheduler, you can schedule regular backups to ensure data safety and protect your business from potential data loss.

Ensure the security of your ACT! data and streamline your backup process with Tony Holowitz’s expert guidance. Stay tuned for more valuable tutorials to optimize your experience with ACT! Thank you for joining us today!