Installing Act 2009 (11.0) on SBS 2010 standard

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ASKER

Hi Jeff,
So you agree that installing Act on SBS 2011 is likely to break things?
There are only three users who need to access the database.
The new SBS2011 box is already setup so SBS Premium add on and virtual option doesn't appeal to me at this point.
I am not sure I can justify the additional cost and effort for three users with fairly basic expecations of Act functionality.
Maybe I am better off moving and sharing the database on one of the client computers?
Does this make sense?
If I did this I would need to work out a way to backup the database to central backup system?

ACT! runs ok on SBS ... but:
1. I would go with ACT! 2012 for SBS 2011 - ACT! 2009 used older versions of .Net and SQL
2. SQL is unlikely to cause any isues ... SQL Express will only use 1GB RAM and 1 processor max.
3. The main issue with SBS is Exchange. When you have a lot of users, Exchange can take all the available RAM and this sometimes impacts the performance of ACT! (not the other way around)

crash2000

I agree with GLComputing.

ASKER

GL,

I agree its always best to go with the latest version - but not always viable.

We only have five exchange mailboxes so I would hope exchange would not cause issues with performance.

My main concern is errors that may result and difficulty in getting SBS features to work porperly after installing Act 2009.

What would you do if you had to stick with 2009?

Would you install on server (SBS2011) or move database to a client and share it from there?

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crash2000

If it is due to cost, it would be worth weighing up which is better, paying for the upgrade and going down a known good route or the cost of down time / server rebuild.

I have just completed an Act Solution for a client and there are a few issues using the latest version. Without adding the complexity of using an older version.

Crash

ASKER

Weighing up all the comments I feel the best thing is to setup Act on a client and sharing the database.
Thank you

The 2 things you want when selecting the host ... fastest hard drives (RPM) and most RAM

One other advantage of ACT! 2012... you can install the clients without SQL

ASKER

Thanks, just working on this now.

The new SBS2011 box is already setup so SBS Premium add on and virtual option doesn't appeal to me at this point.

P2Ving an SBS is fairly simple -- having a separate SQL Server would provide you with the best performance, and ease of maintenance if they are both virtualized.

I'm no ACT! expert, but I would agree that you want to keep it off the SBS due to Exchange.

Beefing up the resources on the current box you already have may not be all that much compared to messing around with a separate machine.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

One other thought... just as a possible solution in case your install doesn't go well...

You could always migrate their ACT! to the cloud, depending on what they use it for, to something like Salesforce.com or Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

ACT! can also be hosted in the cloud, Jeff :-)

Yeah, I figured as much, but haven't seen a lot of it. I'd assume that you could even put it up on Azure.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

Not sure about Azure ... but there are many ACT! hosts providing access via web browser, terminal services and remote sync for users who want local access and/or smart phones.

See: http://blog.glcomputing.com.au/2009/11/supporting-remote-users-with-act-by.html

ASKER

Thanks for additional suggestions about hosted service options.

I restored the database on a client computer and shared the database but now having issues with the two clients connecting to it.
They both get the same error: The database xxx could not be accessed. In order to access this database, check your network conenction and verify that your database server is available. It may be necessary to disable any firewall software on your computer or server.

I disabled the firewall on the client hosting database but still same error.
I can't disable the firewall on the clients though.

By the looks of things I will have to post another question?

Or am I better off trying to install ACT on SBS 2011?

Most likely it will be permissions...
See: http://kb.sagesoftwareonline.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/19640

If you still need help with that, yes - post another question

ASKER

Thank you for this article.
I will post another question if I get stuck