We wanted to share some of the exciting changes we have in store at Handheld Contact. As we’ve announced in previous postings, the new “Handheld Contact API” is scheduled to go to external beta next week, and based on feedback, we expect it to be ready for commercial release in the following 2-3 weeks.

Handheld Contact API
Not to mince words, Handheld Contact API is a game-changer. With easy setup and syncing directly to the master database for faster, more frequent updates of a larger amount of data across multiple devices, Handheld Contact API is what our customers have asked for.

• Wireless syncing of contacts, calendars, task lists, opportunities, notes & histories
• Fast setup with no computer software to install or configure
• No Windows Console needed, syncs directly with master database using the Act! WebAPI
• No contact limit & sync with multiple devices per account
• New Dashboard and modern new look

The first release will be in IOS only, but we expect to have an Android version in Q2 or Q3 of this year. See our quick video walkthrough of the new setup process HERE.

Branding Changes
While we expect many current Handheld Contact subscribers will want to sign-up for the new API version, some won’t because the WebAPI technology is only available to the current Act! subscribers. Act! Pro customers or those using “off-plan” versions of Act! with perpetual licenses can continue to use the current production version of Handheld Contact, but the API version won’t be available to them until they sign-up for Act! Growth Suite.

Since each product serves a different Act! markets, we wanted to reassure our loyal customers that we’re committed to maintaining, supporting, and improving both versions for the foreseeable future. That said, having two products called "Handheld Contact" working on two mobile platforms might cause some confusion, so we felt some small rebranding was required.

Effective March 1^st, 2020, the current product version of our mobile software will be called “Handheld Contact Classic” (or shortened to "HHC Classic"), with minor tweaks to the device & Windows software to reflect this change. The new version will be called “Handheld Contact API” (HHC API). 

MobileCare
The third and final change we’re announcing today is on the subject of Mobile Care. MobileCare is a separate support contract available to HHC subscribers who want to work directly with a live support agent, rather than troubleshoot issues by email or knowledgebase support. MobileCare has been quite a popular service with hundreds of users subscribing and renewing each year, but we wanted to increase the ongoing value further by adding a special perk that we think our customers will love.

Effective March 1^st, all current and future Mobile Care subscribers will be given a free subscription version of Act4outlook, one of the most popular Act! add-ons ever, and this bundled software will remain active for the life of their support contract. With thousands of Act4outlook licenses sold to date, we know our customers will love the enhanced Outlook Integration it delivers Act! users., with features like 

• Fast & Reliable History recording of inbound or outbound emails
• Create Contacts and Activities from Outlook inbox into Act!
• Send Outlook Contacts, Activities & Tasks from Outlook to Act!
• Send activities in Act! to Outlook
• Link emails to Contacts, Companies, Groups, and Opportunities
• Do lookups in Act! from email(s)

 What's more, MobileCare will support the original setup of Act4outlook to ensure you're working properly from the start.