Best Software's Slew of Products

Best Software announced several new additions to its CRM product lines and services, including ACT! and SalesLogix, this week at its Insights 2003 event for its business partners, in Orlando, FL. ACT! 6.0 for 2004, the company says, is designed for new users and users upgrading from previous versions. Version 6.0 is a bundle that includes inline updates to ACT! 6.0, ACT! Link for Palm, and ACT! Link for Pocket PC. For current ACT! 6.0 users, the update has several new email enhancements including the ability to use type-ahead features with email addresses in the ACT! database, create activities from an email message, and create multiple email signatures. "With over 50 percent of our customers currently using either a Palm or Pocket PC device, we know that mobile access to ACT! contact information and associated details is critical to our customers," says Greg Head, general manager of contact management solutions at Best Software. "Because of this, we saw great value in including Palm and Pocket PC synchronization software for all new customers, so they have everything they need to be productive with ACT! in a single package." In addition to upgrading ACT! the company has released SalesLogix version 6.1. The product has new modules to aid sales, support, marketing teams, and system administrators, according to the company. The upgraded version also features new database support for Oracle 8.1.7 and 9iR2, an updated Web user interface, and customization capabilities using Architect Forms and VBscripts within the SalesLogix Support Client. Best Software is also completing a full rollout of its SalesLogix QuickStart program to its business partners. Bundling CRM software, support, services, and training into one best practices solution, SalesLogix QuickStart is designed to enable small businesses to implement a complete CRM system in 30 days for an upfront, fixed price, with a guarantee, according to company spokeswoman Kristina Frankel. "The QuickStart program is perfect for small-to-midsize business looking to begin a CRM implementation," she says. "It's an inexpensive way for companies to quickly see the benefits of CRM solutions, and the fact that the QuickStart program comes with a full guarantee makes it less risky than doing a full CRM pilot implementation."