Contacts import ACT! to Outlook lost dates on notes history

[Guest]

Is there a secret to getting the dates of notes to import (in Outlook
history) when moving a database from ACT! (version 6) to Outlook (2007)? This
is a very import issue in order to make the switch, and I can't find any
knowledge on it. Maybe I missed a mapping feature. The dates of emails
history all imported ok, but all notes history has the same date (for every
note) when I did the import. Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[Lon Orenstein]

Yeah, this is what BCM does during import -- the original date of the note
gets changed to the data of the import. The BCM Team is working on that now
and will hopefully post a fix soon. You could import your ACT! database
without notes and history, wait for the fix (go back to ACT and look for a
note on the occasions you need to do it), and then import the same database
again, this time specifying to import notes and history. BCM will add those
to your existing records. Be careful about changing names of anyone in BCM,
though...

HTH,
Lon

___________________________________________________________
Lon Orenstein
pinpointtools, llc
(e-mail address removed)
Author of Outlook 2007 Business Contact Manager For Dummies
Author of the eBook: Moving from ACT! to Business Contact Manager
800.238.0560 x6104 Toll Free (U.S. only) +1 214.905.0401 x6104
www.pinpointtools.com

 

[Guest]

OK, so it's better to wait for the fix and then import, thank you. May I ask
you if there is a way to sync BCM on two or three PCs and a handheld, and if
there is any reference to the instx?

 

[Lon Orenstein]

Yes, BCM will allow synching to/from a master database. The instructions
are OK in the Help file and there are links to the BCM Team blog
http://blogs.msdn.com/bcm . My BCM For Dummies book has a lot more detailed
instructions in it. It's not that hard, really. Just setup a master
database and then have the laptops Select it as a database. There will be a
wizard step you through creating an Offline database for the laptop.

For handhelds, check out Companionlink and Pocket Mirror to synch BCM
contacts to. There's a freebie from Microsoft that is OK but it stores its
data separately from the main Pocket Outlook store and it only runs on
Pocket PC's and Smartphones.

HTH,
Lon

___________________________________________________________
Lon Orenstein
pinpointtools, llc
(e-mail address removed)
Author of Outlook 2007 Business Contact Manager For Dummies
Author of the eBook: Moving from ACT! to Business Contact Manager
800.238.0560 x6104 Toll Free (U.S. only) +1 214.905.0401 x6104
www.pinpointtools.com

 

[Guest]

Thanks again Lon... and I assume that custom forms will sync to a master db,
but do I have to manually customize forms on each device before they'll sync,
or will the master db sync out the custom forms before the data sync? And do
you have an idea how long before the history date fix?

Jim

 

[Peter Dempewolff]

Has the BCM Team fixed this issue yet? All the notes, histories and emails
are basically useless without the original dates. I am using the trial
version of 2007 BCM; I probably will not purchase the product if this is not
resolved soon as I have probably 7+ years of notes etc. for each contact.

Thanks,

Peter

 

[Lon Orenstein]

No, sigh, aaaarrrggghhhh.

They didn't fix it. Your best bet is to pay www.act-to-bcm.com to convert
it.

HTH,
Lon

___________________________________________________________
Lon Orenstein
pinpointtools, llc
(e-mail address removed)
Author of Outlook 2007 Business Contact Manager For Dummies
Author of the eBook: Moving from ACT! to Business Contact Manager
www.pinpointtools.com

 

[Peter Dempewolff]

Thanks for the info Lon

I also sent an email to you then it occured to me that your filter may
reject it.
I checked out pinpointtools.... nice

Peter
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Jimmy Stahl]

Well then, Microsoft looses me for another 5 years. ACT! 2008 will import the
notes and all just fine. The MS Accounting program has pitiful, no-excuse
fundamental deficiencies, which when compounded by BCM similar deficiencies
such as not importing note dates.............. good bye, enjoy your big
business customers while you still have them and they have you in their
pocket!
--
J5 XP Machines

Thanks for the info Lon

I also sent an email to you then it occured to me that your filter may
reject it.
I checked out pinpointtools.... nice

Peter
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Jimmy Stahl]

Lon-

Is the fix out for "date on note" import from ACT! ??

 

[Lon Orenstein]

No, they blew it for SP1. It still puts the create date of the note as the
date of import.

Using www.act-to-bcm.com is the only option I know of to get it converted
correctly.

Wish I had better news...

Lon

___________________________________________________________
Lon Orenstein
pinpointtools, llc
(e-mail address removed)
Author of Outlook 2007 Business Contact Manager For Dummies
Author of the eBook: Moving from ACT! to Business Contact Manager
www.pinpointtools.com