Speed up Act!

September 11, 2022 | Josh Noonan

If your Act! database doesn’t open within 30 seconds, or seems slower than it used to be, then this advice should help. Your time is valuable.

If you or your staff are waiting on software to perform a task, it is costing you time & money, and should not be ignored. Here are some solutions to the most common causes. If you have any questions or would like assistance, please purchase a support session to have one of our expert consultants assist you with this.

  1. Download our free QuickStart4Act! plugin that eliminates one common cause of Act! startup delay due to Act!’s activation process.

  2. Restart your computer daily (or use the SHIFT key when clicking shutdown to avoid a “fast” or “hybrid” shutdown). This helps Windows to manage temp files, memory & updates. You may need to manually empty the %temp% folder if not done for a long time.

  3. Check Task Manager > Performance tab > Memory as shown below. If the “hardware” amount in the top right corner is less than the “Committed” amount, then we recommend purchasing more memory (RAM) hardware to improve performance.

  4. If the above do not resolve the issue, please try our database expert optimisation service, because several other common causes of performance issues require a brief expert database analysis, repair or clean up.

  5. If you don’t already have Act! v24, consider an upgrade, because Act! v24 is the first 64-bit version of Act!, and with a well-maintained database, is substantially faster in many ways. Our Maintenance plan includes expert installation of the latest Act! version every year, plus untimed Act! error resolution for that install for up to 1 year, to help avoid unexpected support costs.

 

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A final word from Act Today

If this page made you pause and think about how you manage your client relationships, that’s a good start.

Most businesses don’t struggle because they lack effort. They struggle because their systems don’t quite support the way they actually work. That’s where the right CRM setup can make a real difference.

Everything we share about Act! Advantage comes from working with businesses across Australia and New Zealand who want to retain clients, improve communication, and make better decisions from their data.

If you’d like more practical insights about CRM, client retention, and running a smarter client database, you’re welcome to explore the Act Today resources and articles.

And if you’d like to see how Act! Advantage could work in your business, we’d be glad to walk you through it.

14 Day Free Trial
Explore Act! Advantage at your own pace.
28-Day Guided Trial
Work with an Act Today consultant to set up three key CRM functions for your business.

28-Day Guided Trial

Set Up Properly, Decide with Confidence

The 28-day extended trial is designed for businesses that want to experience Act! Advantage working inside their business, not just explore features.

To access the extended trial, you’ll book an initial session with an Act Today consultant based in Australia or New Zealand. During this session, we’ll help you set up three key CRM functions that matter most to your business, such as client follow-ups, communication workflows, retention tracking, or referral visibility.

At the 14-day mark, you’ll have a second check-in with your consultant to answer questions, refine your setup, and remove any roadblocks. This ensures you’re not left guessing and that the system is actually supporting your work.

By the end of the 28 days, you’ll know exactly how Act! Advantage fits your business and whether it delivers real value.

What you’ll get from the 28-day extended trial:

  • Guided setup by a local Act Today CRM consultant
  • Three high-impact CRM functions configured for your business
  • A mid-trial review to answer questions and fine-tune usage
  • A realistic view of outcomes, not just features
  • Confidence to decide based on real experience
START YOUR EXTENDED TRIAL

14-Day Free Trial

Get Hands-On with Act! Advantage CRM

The 14-day free trial gives you full access to Act! Advantage CRM so you can explore how it works in your own time. This is the standard Act! trial used by businesses across Australia and New Zealand who want to see the platform before making a decision.

During the trial, you can add contacts, explore client records, test communication tools, and see how Act! Advantage handles day-to-day client management. It’s a straightforward way to understand how the system is structured and whether it feels right for how you run your business.

This option suits businesses that are comfortable exploring software independently and already have a clear idea of what they want from a CRM. There’s no obligation, no setup required, and no pressure,  just time to assess fit.

What you’ll get from the 14-day free trial:

  • Full access to Act! Advantage CRM features
  • A clear look at how contacts, activities, and communication are managed
  • The ability to test the system across desktop and mobile
  • A simple, no-commitment way to assess fit
  • Confidence before taking the next step
START YOUR TRIAL

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How to Choose the Best CRM for Your Business