Hello, ladies and gentlemen! I’m Tony Holowitz, and today I’m going to walk you through the crucial process of manually backing up your Act CRM database. A recent check on a client’s backup status revealed they weren’t backing up their database, which can lead to a loss of important data. So, let’s ensure that doesn’t happen to you by understanding how to create a manual backup.

Creating a Backup Folder

Before we dive into the backup process, it’s wise to create a designated folder to keep everything organized. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Minimize Act: Start by minimizing your Act window.
2. Right-Click on Desktop: Right-click anywhere on your desktop.
3. Create a New Folder: Select the option to create a new folder.
4. Name the Folder: Name it something relevant, such as “Act_Backup_2015.” Make sure to click away to lock in the name.

Manually Backing Up Your Database

Once your folder is ready, you can proceed to manually back up your Act CRM database. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Open Act: If you minimized it earlier, open Act again.
2. Go to File: Click on the “File” menu.
3. Backup Database: Select “Backup” and then “Database.”
4. Select Backup Location: By default, it will take the name of the database, but it’s best to browse to the desktop and select the folder you created earlier.
5. Name the Backup with Date: Give it a name that includes the current date, such as “9_10_15,” then click “Save.”
6. Confirm Backup: Click “OK” to confirm, and the backup should complete quickly if it’s a small database.
7. Verify Backup: Minimize Act again and double-click the folder to see what’s inside. You should find your backup file there.

Viewing the Backup

• Icon View: You can adjust the view to see the file as a large icon.
• Details View: If you look at the details view, it will list all the files with the date they were created.

Regular Checks

It’s wise to regularly check your backup folder to ensure things are functioning as they should.

• Frequency: Once a week or once a month.
• Purpose: To make sure the backup files are there and correctly dated.

Conclusion

Manually backing up your Act CRM database is a simple yet essential process to protect your valuable data. In my next tutorial, I’ll show you how to schedule automatic backups, but until then, this manual method ensures your peace of mind. Feel free to reach out if you have any Act-related questions. Thank you for being here, and have a great day! Bye now!