Act CRM Notes vs. Act CRM History: History is Better

In the video titled "Act Notes vs. History: History is Better," Tony Holowitz explains the differences and benefits of using histories over notes in Act CRM. He begins by describing the basic functionality of notes in Act, which allows users to quickly jot down information while viewing a contact. However, he critiques notes for only recording text without providing additional context or triggering updates in the system.

Tony then contrasts this with the history feature in Act, which he argues is superior for several reasons. He demonstrates how entering a history, such as a phone call or meeting, automatically updates related fields and provides a more dynamic record of interactions with contacts. This feature allows users to see at a glance the last time they engaged with a contact directly from the main interface, without needing to navigate through tabs.

He emphasizes that histories offer a significant advantage by automatically populating fields such as "last reached" when a history is recorded, thus integrating the information into the visual layout of the contact's information. This makes it easier to monitor interactions and ensure timely follow-ups, especially for sales and customer service scenarios.

Tony also explains how histories can be linked to group functionalities within Act, where, for example, clients not contacted within a specified period (like 60 days) can be automatically grouped for follow-ups. This helps in managing client relations more effectively and ensuring no contact is neglected.

Throughout the video, Tony advocates for the use of histories due to their comprehensive integration into the Act system, which not only records data but also enhances the usability and effectiveness of the CRM tool for proactive relationship management.

Key Points:
- Notes in Act CRM allow for simple text entries but lack dynamic integration with other contact management features.
- Histories record interactions more comprehensively, updating related fields and providing visual reminders of the last engagement.
- Using histories can automate updates and improve visibility of contact interactions directly from the main interface.
- Histories support effective management practices by integrating with group functionalities for follow-ups on inactive contacts.
- Tony Holowitz recommends using histories for their enhanced functionality and impact on user productivity and client management within Act CRM.