Shared Database/ Contacts and Calender

[amanda]

Hi everyone. My company is looking to switch from ACT 9.0 to Microsoft
Outlook 2007 BCM. We have been experiencing some major problems with
ACT, but they offer some really key elements to their program, such as
a shared database and calender view. Everyone is my office is one the
same calender. Does OUTLOOK have that? Also, can everyone see the
database? We must have a shared database of contacts. Please write
back because the Microsoft Test Drive is not helping me out at all.


Thanks,
AMANDA

 

[Manny]

I have an additional question to Amanda's

Are there security roles that can be asigned for each user? That is I would
not want a novice person coming into the office and messing up the database
without proper training. The training may be weeks, but the new individual
would need to work with minimum access.

 

[Lon Orenstein]

Amanda and Manny:

Yes and No.

Yes, BCM works with Outlook and that's where your shared calendar resides.
You will need an Exchange Server to do all that synching and your options
are:
1. Get your own Small Business Server in-house. This gives you Exchange
and SQL Server (that can boost the performance of BCM) and the BCM database
can sit on this PC.

2. Sign up for Exchange hosted by a third party, such as 1and1. Then, put
your master BCM database on a dedicated PC in your office and it will act as
the BCM server. Exchange and BCM don't have to be on the same server or
even the same network.

3. Get a Small Business Server hosted by a third party. This gives you all
the benefits but fewer hassles of managing the hardware and bandwidth into
your office.

Manny, your answer is No. BCM doesn't allow different users to have
different permissions. If you allow someone access to your database, they
can see everything.

HTH,
Lon

___________________________________________________________
Lon Orenstein
pinpointtools, llc
(e-mail address removed)
Author of Outlook 2007 Business Contact Manager For Dummies
Author of the eBook: Moving from ACT! to Business Contact Manager
800.238.0560 x6104 Toll Free (U.S. only) +1 214.905.0401 x6104
www.pinpointtools.com