With the pending deprecation of SQL 2014, we thought it timely to review the benefits of upgrading to Act! v25 from earlier unsupported 32-bit versions. We understand many decline to upgrade because "if it ain't broke, don't fix it, but the latest version of Act! offers many features that can enhance your customer relationship management experience. 

Here are some key reasons to consider the upgrade:

1. New FeaturesNew Features: You will have access to hundreds of new features and enhancements, including enhanced Outlook integration, improved customer communication with SMS features, richer insights with visual dashboards, MFA, new custom table features, UI & UX enhancements, and better handling of RTF/HTML. 

2. Bug Fixes: Each new version of Act! includes a slew of fixes from past versions. Act! v24 and v25 include an especially long list of such fixes.

3. Integrated CRM & Email Marketing: A unified platform for managing customer relationships and conducting email marketing campaigns, with pre-configured templates and workflow automation.

4. Compatibility & 64-bit Architecture: Improved performance and compatibility with modern operating systems and hardware, ensuring smoother operation and better integration with other software¹.

5. Risks of Outdated Software: Running older versions can pose security risks and compatibility issues. The deprecation of SQL 2014 by Microsoft makes this point quote clear. Upgrading helps mitigate these risks and ensures you have the latest security features¹.

6. Subscription Benefits: Subscribers get continuous updates, support, and access to the latest innovations, which can drive productivity and business growth.

Additionally, Act! v25 offers enhanced usability across desktop and web platforms. It’s also the first schema change since Act! v21, which means significant fixes to the program that could not othewise be implemented. Considering these upgrades, it’s clear that Act! v25 is designed to provide a more efficient, secure, and feature-rich CRM experience.