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ACT! Platinum CARE

ACT! has a new offering called “Platinum CARE” that replaces their Upgrade Assurance offering in previous years.

If you are even remotely thinking about upgrading to the latest version of ACT!, then you should consider this offer (hey, but call us … not ACT! …713-661-5200 or 877-661-5200… ‘cause we will give you a better deal).

I know this is a long web page… print it out if you need to… but if you are interested, then I want to let you know more about this new ACT! Platinum CARE and what makes it interesting (besides the introductory pricing… which I’ll get to at the end of this). Oh my GOSH, there is so much to tell you.

ACT! Platinum CARE is designed to be an annual subscription-based service. So you can try it for a year… and if you don’t like it… don’t renew. See what you think. High level it includes…

• ACT! upgrades while you are on the plan. (Hint… this means ACT! 2009/version 11). Plus you can now use a single license to access your ACT! database on your desktop or through your own web server .... no additional licensing cost!
• Sandler Sales Training and materials tailored to ACT! users. (Sandler is a leader in sales and sales management training).
• ACT! add-on discount offers available only to Platinum CARE subscribers.
• Moderated forums for subscribers only on business strategy, effective presentations, marketing, sales and sales management, along with other concepts that can help you grow your business.

How much will it cost?

The pricing is based on your current version of ACT! (In ACT!, click on Help, About ACT! to see your version).

Current 2008 versions of ACT! who want to add ACT! Platinum CARE…

ACT! 2007 and older versions of ACT! who want to upgrade (and/or add new licenses) with Platinum CARE…

So if you already own ACT! 2008/version 10, you can get Premium Care for a third of what you would normally pay for upgrading to the next version, plus you get several very cool bonuses.

If you own an older version of ACT!, you can get an upgrade to ACT! 2008/version 10 now, plus a no-cost upgrade to 11 along with the other Platinum CARE benefits, just for the price of upgrading to ACT! 2008/10.  In essence, the upgrade price includes Platinum CARE bundled at no additional charge. Or if you like, you can wait until ACT! 2009/version 11 comes out (in a few weeks) and upgrade to Platinum CARE then. It really doesn’t make ANY difference. Your Platinum CARE Subscription lasts for a year, so whatever comes out during that time period… you get at no additional charge.

OK, So Give Me More Details On Platinum CARE Offerings

ACT! wants to move to a business model where you purchase a annual subscription to ACT! Platinum CARE and as long as you continue to pay your annual subscription fee, ACT! will send you software updates (new versions, new builds, any potential hot fixes) at no charge.

They also understand (hey…what I have been telling everyone for years) that people don’t want to buy software… they want to buy solutions to their business. So they have refocused their thinking in helping you grow your business, not just with software, but with offerings that you can help you grow and manage your business.

So let’s look in more detail at what they are offering.

ACT! Upgrades – No charge for Platinum CARE Subscribers

ACT! is focusing their development efforts on the basics. Bells and whistles are cool, but many times it’s the little things that make the most difference.  Look for better performance, more functionality based on what everyone would use every day. Can’t tell you any more for now… but soon. If you have Platinum CARE, then ACT!2009 comes to you at no additional charge.

Sandler Sales Training – No charge for Platinum CARE Subscribers

 Access to online Sandler Broadcast Center (normally $75/month, $900/year)

• Four hours of live broadcasts each month…two hours for salespeople and two-hours for sales managers.
• Download older archived broadcasts to your computer, iPod, or Mp3 player.
• E-learning lessons on how to implement a selling system within ACT!
• Downloadable chapters of the new Sandler/Vito book, Five Minutes with VITO.

Free training session (valued at $595)
Sandler is offering one free training session at one of its many local training centers for each purchased license of ACT! Platinum CARE. Will they be trying to sell you on more elaborate training for each of your sales staff… probably so, but you can get this basic sales training at no additional charge with your Platinum CARE subscription. Hey, not much to think about here. The Sandler System is a great training program. I know a lot of the Sandler people and they are really good. Not high pressure.

Extended DISC^® Center ($75 value)

• DISC is a behavioral self- assessment tool that helps you identify your strengths and development areas and is used to categorize the way people interact.  Each user in the Platinum CARE program can fill out the assessment tool for their own or company use.
• The results show who the individual actually is and not what the person thinks he/she needs to be in the existing environment. The report identifies true strengths and development areas to allow for true performance improvement.

ACT! Add-on Offers – Deals for Platinum CARE Subscribers

SwiftPage

Swiftpage is my favorite add-on for ACT!. If you want to do e-mail or other types of drip marketing… this is your tool.

• Swiftpage Team - 12 months service for the price of 9 – 1,000 e-mails per day send limit, 2 users on the account
• Bonus – 25% off Gold or Platinum Swiftpage Drip Marketing for 12 months (requires 12 month commitment)
• See how it works.

VoIP for ACT!

Sage Software has negotiated a special offer on Voice over IP for ACT! from C3IP Communications.

• This new solution enables automatic screen pops from your database records based on Caller ID; complete call history automatically embedded into each ACT! database record; note taking for each call; “Click to Dial” contacts directly from ACT! database; storage of voicemails in ACT! contact’s history; voice mail receipt via e-mail; and 4-digit extension dialing.
• See how it works (very cool).
• 12 months service for the price of 9 – subscribers get 25% off monthly service with a 12 month commitment.
• With the initial purchase, C3IP agrees to waive the integration module fees. This is the ACT! add-on software normally sold for $129. C3IP will waive all initial purchase fees software regardless of quantity. For example, if a 5 seats of service are initially purchased, C3IP will waive what would have been a fee of $645 ($129 x 5 copies)
• For subsequent additional seat orders from APC customers, the VoIP for ACT! integration module will be available for $99 per user (normally $129).

Corp Edge Technical Support Package

• Unlimited access to priority telephone support*
• Get unlimited access to Senior level ACT! Product Specialists for an entire year.
• Priority queuing gets you faster access to Analysts.
• 4-hour call back.(Call-back time is based on calls made within certain business hours.)
• Hours are 8:30 am to 8:30 pm EST, Monday through Friday.
• As an ACT! Corporate Edge customer, you’re entitled to discounts on a variety of ACT! Database services including database repair and password removal.
• Sage Software is offering a 15% discount off all Corporate Edge Contracts. Corp Edge Base (5 seats/2 callers/yr) = $424 (normally $499) Additional Seats = $34 Corp Edge Large Account Base (20 seats/5 callers/yr) = $934  (normally $1,099) Additional Seats = $25.50

Moderated Forums – Online discussion areas for Platinum CARE

To further enhance the tools, resources and overall value found in the ACT! Platinum CARE subscription, ACT! has assembled a talented team of business specialists to moderate forums and blog on selected business topics.

Sales Blog - David Mattson, Sandler CEO

Dave Mattson, Sandler Sales CEO writes a sales blog exclusively for ACT! Platinum CARE subscribers. Initial topic headings include:

• Sales: How to Get Everything You Want
• Sales Management: Are Your Salespeople Qualified to Qualify?
• Sales: Can a Bad Sales Call Make You a Good Salesperson?
• Sales: Should You Stop Looking for the Big Sale?

Shattering Your Glass Ceilings Blog – Sandi Givens

In truth, a glass ceiling is any barrier that keeps anyone from progressing in their desired direction. Initial post topics:

• Why are my Beliefs Important?
• So what's a Glass Ceiling?
• What's in this for you?

Apryl’s Corner – Apryl Hansen

Apryl Hansen from Sage blogs on various topics including:

• Core Values, Vision and Mission
• Goal Setting
• Strategy Planning: Vision vs. Strategy

EDification by Ed Kless

Ed Kless joined Sage Software in July of 2003 and is the senior director of partner development and strategy for North America. He developed and delivers the curriculum for the Sage Consulting Academy, a five-day course designed to educate Sage Software partners on the art and practice of small business consulting. He also facilitates the Sage Leadership Academy, a yearlong program designed to assist Sage Software partners develop a continuous process of improvement in their organizations and serves as liaison to the Sage Leadership Academy Alumni Association.

Ed is a frequent contributor to industry publications and has spoken at many conferences worldwide on project management, pricing, and knowledge workers. He is also active in the Information Technology Alliance (ITA), Toastmasters, and is a senior fellow at the VeraSage Institute.

Platinum Peer to Peer Discussions

In this section, ACT! Platinum CARE subscribers have a chance to share their own views and opinions on a wide variety of topics including APC benefits such as Sandler, Swiftpage and VoIP for ACT!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is Technical Support included in this price?
No. Platinum CARE consists of Upgrade Assurance (Software Maintenance) and business tools. Technical Support is not included in this price. But you can get great discounts on ACT! Corporate Edge programs with Platinum CARE.

I have a current UA Plan, what does this mean for me?
As a current Upgrade Assurance Customer (Maintenance) you will automatically be upgraded to the Platinum CARE Plan at no additional charge. You will be given access to all of these great tools through the remainder of your contract term. If you choose to renew your UA plan, then you continue to receive these benefits for one full year (until the end of your new term, the Sandler Sales term will restart for one year).

I have a copy of ACT! v9, can I purchase Platinum CARE?
Program eligibility is as follows: ACT! Platinum CARE is available to customers under the following circumstances:

• ACT! version 9 and older customers – Must purchase upgrade to current version in order to purchase Platinum CARE.
• ACT! version 10 (and soon 11) customers – May purchase Platinum CARE only.
• New Customers – May purchase Platinum CARE bundled with purchase of new license of ACT.

My Final Thoughts

This is actually a pretty good offering. If your current version of ACT! is working for you just fine, then great! But if you ever thought about upgrading so you can use Outlook directly (instead of the ACT! e-mail program), or get more speed, or make sure your version will work with Vista and Office 2007 products, or do more with Groups, Companies, Opportunities, etc. now is the perfect time to upgrade. ACT! wants to get all of their client base up to speed and they are making some nice offers to help sweeten the deal. Let me know what you think.

Sadly this offer will expire on Spetember 30, 2008 and I have no control over that, so Call our office to place your order: 713-661-5200 or 877-661-5200.