Comparing Smart Tasks to Activity Series - Sage ACT! 2011
One of the new capabilities of Sage ACT! 2011 is the addition of workflow using "Smart Tasks". We have covered these in prior blog articles, here.
Smart Tasks and activity series are similar because you can automatically schedule a series of related activities (steps) for a workflow task. However, Smart Tasks allow you to schedule e-mails, Sage E-marketing for ACT!* e-mails, and run drip marketing campaigns* as steps in the workflow. Thus providing greater capabilities to stay "Top of Mind" with prospects and customers.
In addition, Smart Tasks can be run automatically based upon completion of the previous step. Activity series steps are based on an anchor date and not upon completion of the previous step.
The following table shows the features for each.
What is an Activity Series?
An activity series is a sequence of related activities or events scheduled at set intervals. You can use an activity series to automatically schedule related activities to help you prepare for, track, or complete key tasks. As an example, you can create an activity series to track activities for closing a sale or managing a new customer. You create an activity series using a template.
The demonstration database, ACT2011Demo, has two sample activity series templates that you can use as a reference for creating your own templates: New Prospect and New Customer.
What are Smart Tasks?
Smart Tasks are a series of common and connected steps, such as a workflow, that automatically perform key tasks or actions for contacts or opportunities.
Examples of common steps include scheduling an activity or sending an e-mail. An example of an action is that you have not had any interaction with a contact in over 90 days and you are automatically notified via e-mail or a scheduled activity to follow-up with the contact.
You organize the connected steps of the workflow using a template. A Smart Task template can have one or more steps.
Sage ACT! gets you started by providing several useful Smart Tasks.
* ACT! eMarketing is an additional subscription. More here.
Related Resources:
Sage ACT! Smart Tasks web page.
Blog articles referencing "Smart Tasks"
Blog articles referencing "What's new in Sage ACT! 2011"
Business Success with ACT! Contact Management
What workflow set of tasks could you automate to stay "Top of Mind" and achieve greater productivity?
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