Make Sure to Backup Your Act CRM Database Manually or Automatically

by | Jan 15, 2021 | Act CRM Software Fundamentals

A Reminder to Backup Your Act CRM Database

You can backup your Act CRM database either manually or automatically using the Act Scheduler.  When you backup your Act database it creates a zip file that is typically stored on your computer.  If your computer fails, the zip file might be lost.  I recommend using a service such as Carbonite that will completely backup your computer and that zip file.  At a minimum, get a copy of that zip file in the cloud so it is safe.  If you have questions about how to complete this task please reach out to me.  From my blog www.365ActTips.com.

Act Manual Backup: https://tonytheteacher.com/how-to-manually-backup-your-act-database/

Act Automatic Backup: https://tonytheteacher.com/act-back-back-act-data-part-2/

Why is it so important to backup your Act software data?  The most obvious answer is to protect all the content in contacts that you have put into Act.  If your computer fails or is destroyed you need a backup of your data.  Just as a matter of practice, you should backup your Act CRM daily.  Act makes it easy with its Act scheduler tool.  It allows you to automate the process.

Do not be like my new ACT CRM client.

I received a phone call from a long time Act user that wanted to upgrade to the newest version of Act software.  Part of that process involves creating a backup of your data during the transition to the newest version.  It was at that point that my client realized there were technical issues with creating that backup in Act.  It did not work.

If you cannot backup your Act database it is an indication that there might be some corruption in your data.  The more I think about this the more I realize it is cool reality as an Act software user.  Suddenly you are confronted with the fact that there is an issue with your data.

I have clients that are still using old versions of Sage Act CRM.  They have not upgraded their Act software in years.  For the record, Act has an obsolescence policy of three years (approximately).

Approximately two years ago an underlying component of their software ceased to exist.  What I mean is the manufacturer of the licensing component made the decision not to continue producing that software.  Therefore, Sage Act CRM users ran into issues.  

Most often they discover these issues when they purchase new computers and try to reinstall Sage Act CRM.In most cases they were able to install the software in a 30 day trial mode.  The problem was they could not register the software after the 30 days rendering it useless.

Many people were up in arms over this development.  I am really not sure why.  Nothing in this life is guaranteed and Most software Has some type of policy in place that suggests old versions will not work forever or be completely perfect.

At the end of the day if you are an Act software user it has always been my opinion that the cost is minimal for what you get.  Even as Swiftpage, the makers of Act CRM, have transitioned away from a one-time purchase of Act, Act Pro software, and move towards an annual subscription, Act premium software, I have always believed that you can leverage Act as a sales and marketing tool to make way more money and become more profitable than the cost of the software itself.

An alternative is to use Act as a cloud based CRM.

That might sound harsh, but I think if you are not using Act effectively and efficiently it will not pay for itself and I would suggest you get some training and consulting help with Act CRM.

By backing up your data on a regular basis you would have discovered this much earlier In the process.  At a minimum, you will most likely be able to export your contact information.  What I mean by that is all of your fields in Act can be exported, but not your notes, histories and activities.  Quite often your ability to use the software is not affected.  You just cannot make a backup.

Act database repairs for installed Act software

If this occurs you can have your database repaired.  As a partner of Keystroke, they offer a $300 scoping project in which they will examine your database and give you an estimate of how much it will cost to have it recovered.  My experience has been that many times they can recover the data for $300; within the scope of the project discovery.  Having stated that, it is in no way a guarantee.

The bottom line is this: backup your data so you discover inconsistencies or problems with your data before it becomes needed.  My Act training videos link above will show you how to accomplish that by creating backups.