Introduction: In this informative blog post, we explore the concept of “Companies” in Act and how they play a crucial role in organizing contact information. Tony Holowitz, an Act certified consultant, sheds light on the importance of accurately linking contacts within the same company and demonstrates how to utilize Act’s “Companies” feature effectively.

1. Meet Tony Holowitz – An Act Certified Consultant: Before delving into Act’s “Companies” feature, let’s get acquainted with Tony Holowitz, an expert Act consultant known for his proficiency in guiding users through various software functionalities. Tony’s dedication to simplifying data management and increasing productivity makes him a valuable resource for Act users seeking guidance.

2. The Significance of “Companies” in Act: Act refers to the feature as “Companies,” but Tony suggests that calling it “Company Summary” might be more fitting. The “Companies” feature groups contacts with the same company name, facilitating efficient data management and organization.

3. Utilizing the “Companies” Feature: Tony demonstrates how to access the “Companies” feature in Act by clicking on “Look Up” and selecting “All Contacts.” Here, he highlights the ABC Company, Inc., which includes multiple contacts, one of them being Benjamin Franklin.

4. Understanding Company Linking Preferences: To enhance data organization, Act allows users to set Company Linking Preferences. This setting groups contacts with similar company names. Tony walks us through accessing the Company Linking Preferences under “Tools,” “Preferences,” and “Admin.” Users can customize the minimum number of people required to link contacts under the same company.

5. Identifying Linked Companies: With Company Linking Preferences in place, linked companies appear as hyperlinks in the “Companies” section. Tony demonstrates how the ABC Company, Inc. now appears as a hyperlink when searching for Benjamin Franklin.

6. Advantages of the “Companies” Feature: The primary advantage of linking contacts within a company is the ability to access a comprehensive summary of all interactions and activities related to the company. By clicking on the hyperlink, users can view all history, notes, activities, and sales opportunities associated with the company.

7. Ensuring Accurate Company Linking: Tony stresses the importance of entering company names precisely to ensure accurate linking. If the names are slightly different, Act may not link them together, leading to data disorganization. In his next tutorial, Tony plans to delve into modifying company names to ensure better data management.

Conclusion: Tony Holowitz’s expertise in Act proves invaluable in understanding the “Companies” feature and its significance in efficient data organization. By leveraging Act’s “Companies” feature and implementing precise company names, users can streamline their workflow, access comprehensive data summaries, and enhance overall productivity. Stay tuned for Tony’s next tutorial on modifying company names for optimal data management.