Over time I’ve tried various card scanners and integrated software that made them work with CRM applications, including Sage ACT! 2011 Premium. The current scanning solution I recommend is the Scan Shell 800NR from Card Scanning Solutions.

The 800NR hardware appears to be more reliable. With other solutions, I ended up sending the unit back for a replacement every year or so, even though covered under warranty was a pain and motivated me to look for another solution. Other products did not include the integration with ACT that I was looking for, as all I wanted to have to do was scan and review the contact information without any extra steps involved.

The Scan Shell captured most business cards, scanning them successfully, and if a duplicate entry was about to be created you are asked if you want to proceed. One thing I have noticed is that when some business cards do not scan successfully, it has to do with the graphics and font that were used — as a result I have to manually enter these cards. As a professional I would ensure that your business card is actually scannable as more and more people are using automating technology to save time and money.

Here is a link to the Scan Shell 800NR solution and enjoy!

A new add-on for ACT! that works with QuickBooks was introduced last year called QB Sales Data and is being adopted quickly in the marketplace.  A good friend of mine, Don Grubor and his top notch developer designed the program and it really takes integrating applications to a new level.  Not only should an application be easy to use but also it should continue to evolve and surprise customers with new functionality in a timely manner.  The best part is that this functionality is affordable compared to alternative Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions, hey but that’s why ACT is so popular in the first place!

QB Sales Data integrates ACT! with QuickBooks

After working with the QB Sales Data program and testing it over the last year and consistently receiving updates with increasing levels of new functionality, now when I log in to ACT! and open QuickBooks, I benefit from a growing list of new business efficiencies that once seemed elusive:

- No more double entry!  Push existing QuickBooks records to ACT! or create new ones and link them over to QuickBooks.
- Automatically synchronize updates between ACT! and QuickBooks using Transaction Sync and Windows Scheduler.
- Up sell existing customers based on purchase history synchronized from Quickbooks into ACT!, by product or date.
- Send corresponding email promotions to prospective customers using ACT! E-Marketing, track interest and follow-up to qualify leads.
- Enter new opportunities in ACT! with the QuickBooks product list, send out quotes and convert to invoices.
- Monitor past due balances, review terms and purchase history and know the overall value of a customer!
- Data is located in ACT! fields so it syncs to remote laptops and or smart phones with supporting software.

It t took a lot of work to bring QB Sales Data to life and I am thankful that Don took the time to do it right.  Learn more about how you can save time and money, create awareness and increase sales – all at the same time, by contacting Atlantic Database today www.atlanticdatabase.com/qblink.

Peter E. Fernald, MSIM, MBA, DSCI
pfernald@atlanticdatabase.com
866-636-3527