Interfacing ACT 2006 Files

[Aviator]

Has anyone interfaced ACT's SQL data files with FM 8.5 or 9? We currently use ACT for our CRM. While not 100% of what we need, it does most of what we need. If we could interface the two it may bring it closer to 100%.

Thanks,

Don

[grubber]

I was looking at this only today. From what i can see your options are.

1. Use the ACT SDK to write an ACT plugin (and Filemaker Plugin) using VB.NET or C#. Beyond my skills I'm afraid.

2. Use OLE DB to access (read only) the ACT Dbase BUT don't think Filemaker supports OLEDB connections.

3. Pay Sage $1000 to get the MS SQL SA password. not sure you can do anything but query the Act dbase for your 1k and only get access to specific views not all tables. (could use the new FM9 ESS functions with this)

Basically Sage ain't making it easy but they are old school...Lock them in, make it damm hard to get out.

[full_noize]

I have looked at this recently as well and wasn't aware of the $1000 that Sage charge for the SQL password. Had I have known better at the time I bought ACT!, I would have bought a good off-the-shelf FM CRM system and customised it to fit into the other databases at our business. Cheaper in the long run, especially per user.

It is very frustrating to have to pay lots of $$$ to access your own data in an efficient manner!

[grubber]

Update: Someone might find this useful.

Basically ACT won't give you the SA password tool unless you have Premium version.

I discovered you can access ACT 'VIEWS' (Not Tables) via OLEDB (read only) - Excel easiest way.

There is how to doc on Sage knowledge base called How to Manually Start OLEDB

However its not much use as the Views don't include relational keys.

Another way to get you're data out is via a 3rd Party tool Act Exporter ($250) (I assume it uses the ACT SDK to connect)

Cheers

Olly

Edited January 21, 2009 by Guest
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