If you’re running a version of Act! that you purchased a few years ago (or more!), chances are your version has been retired. This means you’re no longer receiving key updates that help ensure your Act! database remains secure and accessible.
Now is the perfect time to upgrade to an Act! subscription. With an Act! subscription, you’ll have access to all updates and upgrades as they’re released, so you know you’re always running supported software.
But what happens if you choose not to upgrade?
The fact is, sticking with old, outdated software solutions of any kind can introduce unnecessary risks to your business — and who needs more uncertainty these days? We want to make sure customers understand the downside of relying on outdated software, which can include these top 5 risks:
1. Lack of compatibility with current business platforms
Chances are, you use a number of apps and services, like G Suite, Salesforce, Microsoft Office 365, and more. The last thing you need when you log into your accounts are compatibility issues, which can result in frustrating technology issues and worse, costly delays in accessing your customer data and business apps. When you subscribe to Act!, you always have access to the latest version of Act!, ensuring that your solution remains compatible with popular business applications and platforms including Windows®, Outlook®, Google™, and more.
2. No access to critical software updates and fixes
With an Act! subscription, you always receive updates and fixes as they’re released, providing you with peace of mind that your software will continue to run without issues. This way, you can stay focused on running your business. Software should work hard for you, not the other way around.
3. Disruption to your business
Outdated, incompatible software versions are not just frustrating, they can actually disrupt your business. Imagine if you couldn’t run end-of-year sales reports, send a time-critical customer email, or complete any number of basic business tasks that you depend on every day. As a smaller business owner, you don’t have time to solve software issues or wait for a customer service rep to get you back up and running. By being on a retired version of Act!, you are at risk of losing access to your Act! database.
4. Risk of security vulnerabilities
Hackers are more frequently going after what they consider “low-hanging fruit,” i.e., smaller businesses that typically lack robust data security. They know smaller companies are easier to break into because they often leave wide security gaps due to outdated software or other vulnerabilities. With an Act! subscription, you can rest assured that security patches are continually and automatically provided, so you know that your customer data and business apps are secure.
5. Loss of access to critical customer and sales data
Data is the lifeblood of any business, and there’s never a “good” time to lose access to your customer data or sales information. And yet, outdated software can create incompatibility or security issues that leave you scrambling to reboot access to your data. An Act! subscription helps ensure business continuity by maintaining compatibility with all of your other business apps and services — which is one less thing you have to worry about.
If you’re running Act! v20 or earlier, your version of Act! has been retired. Review a full list of retired versions here.
Ready to upgrade now? Call us on 020 4538 5176 or contact your Act! Certified Consultant today!
