CRM: Cloud, On-Premise or Both?

July 31, 2018 | Josh Noonan

Cloud technology offers enormous benefits for CRMs however there are legitimate reasons why you may want an on-premises CRM solution. The advantage of Act! is that it’s one of the only CRMs on the market that offer a hybrid solution so you can have both cloud and on-premise access.

Cloud technology offers enormous benefits for CRMs however there are legitimate reasons why you may want an on-premises CRM solution. The advantage of Act! is that it’s one of the only CRMs on the market that offer an on-premise solution as well as a hybrid solution – so you can have both cloud and on-premise access.

 

On-Premise CRM Solution

An on-premise solution means that you install the software and store your data at your own place of business. Prior to the invention of ‘the cloud’, this is how software typically operated. Although it might sound old-school, having your valuable customer data on-site can provide better security of your data, speed of access and a full-featured solution.

Choose an on-premise CRM deployment if you:

  • Require complete access to all Act! features and functionality
  • Need advanced customisation and integration capabilities
  • Require control of your data on your own site
  • Want fast operation
  • Don’t want to be reliant on your Internet speed
  • Desire lower software costs
Cloud CRM

Act! Premium can also be deployed in the cloud. Unlike other CRMs, you can host your database yourself or it can be vendor-hosted. Self-hosting allows you to access your database via the cloud but eliminates hosting costs. In saying that however, paying a little bit more means that you don’t need any IT skills and you get up and running quickly and easily. We handle the technical steps, so you can instantly access all your customer information, manage and prioritise activities and track all your communications from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Ongoing, we manage your database admin, security and backups.

Additionally with Act! Cloud product, we offer specialised services such as offline-access and hosting of any of your other business software (e.g. Microsoft Office 365). With off-line access, you get a copy of your database installed on your PC or laptop that syncs with your Act! Cloud database. So if you are travelling on a plane or don’t have Internet, you can still keep working.

Choose a cloud CRM deployment if you:

  • Require on-demand access to Act! Premium
  • Fast, easy deployment and hosting
  • Don’t have internal IT support
  • Need an all-in-one hosted solution for your business
Hybrid CRM

With a hybrid CRM solution, you get to access Act! whichever way you like to work. Depending on your requirements, we can configure a personalised CRM solution to suit your business. Whether your team need all cloud access, a locally installed on-premise solution or a combination of both so you can have the best of both worlds, we have a solution for you.

Call us to talk to a CRM specialist about the best deployment solution for your business.

A final word from Act Today

If this page made you pause and think about how you manage your client relationships, that’s a good start.

Most businesses don’t struggle because they lack effort. They struggle because their systems don’t quite support the way they actually work. That’s where the right CRM setup can make a real difference.

Everything we share about Act! Advantage comes from working with businesses across Australia and New Zealand who want to retain clients, improve communication, and make better decisions from their data.

If you’d like more practical insights about CRM, client retention, and running a smarter client database, you’re welcome to explore the Act Today resources and articles.

And if you’d like to see how Act! Advantage could work in your business, we’d be glad to walk you through it.

14 Day Free Trial
Explore Act! Advantage at your own pace.
28-Day Guided Trial
Work with an Act Today consultant to set up three key CRM functions for your business.

28-Day Guided Trial

Set Up Properly, Decide with Confidence

The 28-day extended trial is designed for businesses that want to experience Act! Advantage working inside their business, not just explore features.

To access the extended trial, you’ll book an initial session with an Act Today consultant based in Australia or New Zealand. During this session, we’ll help you set up three key CRM functions that matter most to your business, such as client follow-ups, communication workflows, retention tracking, or referral visibility.

At the 14-day mark, you’ll have a second check-in with your consultant to answer questions, refine your setup, and remove any roadblocks. This ensures you’re not left guessing and that the system is actually supporting your work.

By the end of the 28 days, you’ll know exactly how Act! Advantage fits your business and whether it delivers real value.

What you’ll get from the 28-day extended trial:

  • Guided setup by a local Act Today CRM consultant
  • Three high-impact CRM functions configured for your business
  • A mid-trial review to answer questions and fine-tune usage
  • A realistic view of outcomes, not just features
  • Confidence to decide based on real experience
START YOUR EXTENDED TRIAL

14-Day Free Trial

Get Hands-On with Act! Advantage CRM

The 14-day free trial gives you full access to Act! Advantage CRM so you can explore how it works in your own time. This is the standard Act! trial used by businesses across Australia and New Zealand who want to see the platform before making a decision.

During the trial, you can add contacts, explore client records, test communication tools, and see how Act! Advantage handles day-to-day client management. It’s a straightforward way to understand how the system is structured and whether it feels right for how you run your business.

This option suits businesses that are comfortable exploring software independently and already have a clear idea of what they want from a CRM. There’s no obligation, no setup required, and no pressure,  just time to assess fit.

What you’ll get from the 14-day free trial:

  • Full access to Act! Advantage CRM features
  • A clear look at how contacts, activities, and communication are managed
  • The ability to test the system across desktop and mobile
  • A simple, no-commitment way to assess fit
  • Confidence before taking the next step
START YOUR TRIAL

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How to Choose the Best CRM for Your Business