REVIEWS: ACT! Contact Manager

This article reviews ACT!, the most popular contact manager of desktop computers, now available for the 95LX. The article also includes a brief look at two other contact managers: Pocket Sales Force and Contact 95.

By David Hayden

If any application is a natural fit for the HP 95LX, then contact management software is it. A contact manager integrates such functions as client tracking, scheduling, and a host of other features to help you manage your time and relationships more effectively. Although the HP 95LX has a built-in address book and appointment scheduler, many users require a more full-featured contact manager.

 Many users of contact managers are traveling professionals. However, anyone needing to keep track of business contacts can benefit from this type of application. Many existing users of PC-based contact management software carry laptop and notebook computers. Many of these same users are switching to palmtop computers like the HP 95LX to have instant access to client information everywhere they go.

 Three 95LX programs currently compete in the contact management arena; ACT!, Pocket Sales Force and Contact 95. While all the products offer useful features, ACT! is clearly the most mature and full-featured of the three. (See Sidebar page 8 for discussion of Pocket Sales Force and Contact 95.)

 ACT! was in development before the HP 95LX was even available. After more than a year a 95LX version is finally shipping, and with one major exception, its lack of System-Manager compliancy, it has been well worth the wait.

What's In ACT?

The Contact Screen

Scheduling with ACT!

Tracking Expenses with ACT!

Pop-up List, Look-ups, and Other Time-Saving Features

Transferring Data Between the PC and 95LX Versions of ACT!

ACT! Specifications

Drawbacks

Ease of learning

Conclusion