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{{advertisement|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox software
{{Infobox software
| name = Act-On Marketing Automation
| name = Act-On Marketing Automation
| title = Act-On
| title = Act-On
| logo = [[File:Act-On logo.png|200px]]
| logo = [[File:Act-On logo.png|200px]]
| developer = Act-On
| developer = Act-On
| released = 2009
| released = 2004
| status = Active
| status = Active
| programming language =
| programming language =
| operating system = Software as a service
| operating system = Software as a service
| genre = Marketing automation
| genre = Marketing automation
| license = Subscription
| license = Subscription
| alexa =
| alexa =
| website = {{URL|act-on.com/}}
| website = {{URL|act-on.com/}}
⚫
}}'''Act-On Software''' is a [[software-as-a-service]] product for [[marketing automation]] developed by Act-On, a company based in [[Beaverton, Oregon]]. It is used mostly by small to medium-sized businesses as a lower-cost alternative to enterprise software. The company was founded in 2008 and initially sold its software exclusively through [[Cisco]], which provided $2 million in funding. It developed its own sales team to market the software directly to users and raised a total of $32 million in funding.<ref name="namo">{{cite news|title=5 Davids beating Goliath in the cloud arena|url=http://venturebeat.com/2013/08/08/5-davids-beating-goliath-in-the-cloud-arena/#2iEcbuDBrhfQZhEb.99|publisher=Venturebeat|first=Sean|last=Ludwig|accessdate=February 4, 2013|date=August 8, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=It’s been 3,198 days since Oregon’s last tech IPO; who’s next|newspaper=The Oregonian|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2013/09/its_been_3198_days_since_orego.html|first=Mike|last=Rogoway|date=September 17, 2013|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref> Act-On has received positive reviews for use by small to medium-sized business due to its ease-of-use, simplicity and cost. However, product reviews have noted that Act-On does not have many of the sophisticated features needed for larger enterprises.
}}
⚫
'''Act-On''' is a [[software-as-a-service]] product for [[marketing automation]] developed by Act-On Software, a company headquartered in [[Beaverton, Oregon]]. It is used mostly by small to medium-sized businesses and departments of large enterprises. The company was founded in 2008 and initially sold software exclusively through [[Cisco]], which provided $2 million in funding. It developed an in-house sales team to market the software directly to users and has so far raised a total of $74 million in funding.<ref name="Geek">{{cite news|title=Marketing automation startup Act-On raises $42M, sets sights on IPO|url=http://www.geekwire.com/2014/act-raises-45m/|publisher=Geekwire|first=Taylor|last=Soper|accessdate=September 5, 2015|date=April 15, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Or">{{cite news|title=Act-On Software lands whopping $42 million VC round, among Silicon Forest’s biggest ever|newspaper=The Oregonian|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2014/04/act-on_software_lands_whopping.html|first=Mike|last=Rogoway|date=April 15, 2014|accessdate=September 5, 2015}}</ref><ref name="CCT">{{cite news|title=Marketing Automation Vendor Act-On Raises $42M Just Days After IBM’s Agreement to Acquire Silverpop|publisher=Cloud Computing Today|url=http://cloud-computing-today.com/2014/04/15/marketing-automation-vendor-act-on-raises-42m-just-days-after-ibms-acquisition-of-silverpop/|first=Arnal|last=Dayaratna|date=April 15, 2014|accessdate=September 5, 2015}}</ref> Act-On has received positive reviews for use by small to medium-sized businesses due to its ease-of-use, simplicity and cost.<ref name="Venbt">{{cite news|title=5 Davids beating Goliath in the cloud arena|publisher=Venturebeat|url=http://venturebeat.com/2013/08/08/5-davids-beating-goliath-in-the-cloud-arena/#2iEcbuDBrhfQZhEb.99|first=Sean|last=Ludwig|date=August 8, 2013|accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Act-On was conceived in 2004 in a conversation between [[WebEx]] CEO [[Subrah Iyar]] and Act-On founder Raghu Raghavan<ref name="twentynine"/><ref name="eleven"/> as a way to integrate webinars with marketing automation software.<ref name="crm"/> A webinar management tool was developed in a [[Software_release_life_cycle#Beta|beta]] pre-release that year.<ref name="twentynine"/><ref name="eleven">{{cite news
[[File:Act-On software - Beaverton, Oregon.JPG|thumb|Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon]]
| last =Mitra
Act-On was founded in 2008 by Raghu Raghavan, formerly a founder of Responsys, after he saw "potential for a sophisticated, but affordable SaaS marketing tool mid-market companies could easily use."<ref name="Geek"/> Act-On initially sold through alternate channels, but later created its own sales team.<ref name="MTA">{{cite news|title = Interview with Raghu Raghavan, Founder & CEO, Act-On Software|url = http://www.crmsearch.com/act-on-software-review.php|first = Ankush|last = Gupta|accessdate = 4 March 2015|publisher = MarTech Advisor}}</ref> Entering the market after several competitors had been established, Act-On had a [[second-mover advantage]], learning from the success and failures of earlier market entrants.<ref name="Geek" /> Raghavan commented in a 2013 interview, "We came in, we saw all of the things that had not been done right in this space, and I think it allowed us to build a company in a whole new way to attack what we saw in the monsters' market."<ref>{{Cite web|title = Raghu Raghavan of Act-On: Now is the Time to Dive Into Marketing Automation|url = http://smallbiztrends.com/2013/08/small-business-marketing-automation.html|website = Small Business Trends|accessdate = 2015-09-07}}</ref>
| first =Srimana
| title =Democratizing Marketing Automation: Act-On CEO Raghu Raghavan (Part 1)
| publisher =SramanaMitra
| date =November 11, 2011
| url =http://www.sramanamitra.com/2011/11/10/democratizing-marketing-automation-act-on-ceo-raghu-raghavan-part-1/
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="crm"/> WebEx, which had planned to fund Act-On,<ref name="eleven"/> was acquired by [[Cisco]] in 2007.<ref name="twelve">{{cite news
| last =Malik
| first =Om
| title =Why Cisco paid $3.2B for WebEx?
| publisher =GigaOm
| date =March 15, 2007
| url =http://gigaom.com/2007/03/15/why-cisco-bought-webex-for-32-billion/
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> In 2008 Cisco's venture capital arm provided $2 million to Act-On in initial funding.<ref name="thirtytwo"/> Act-On's software was released in beta in June 2008, before being introduced to the market in October of the same year.<ref name="crm">{{cite news|title=Act-On Marketing Software Review - An Independent Marketing Software Analysis|url=http://www.crmsearch.com/act-on-software-review.php|first=Chuck|last=Schaeffer|accessdate=February 4, 2014|publisher=CRMSearch}}</ref> initially as a software-as-a-service product embedded in Cisco’s collaboration software.<ref name="twentynine">{{cite news
| title =The 1M/1M Deal Radar: Act-On Software, Beaverton, Oregon
| publisher =Sramana mitra
|first=Sramana|last=Mitra
| date =March 8, 2011
|accessdate=February 4, 2014
| url =http://www.sramanamitra.com/2011/03/08/the-1m1m-deal-radar-act-on-software-beaverton-oregon/
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="eleven"/> Act-On began selling the software only through Cisco, but later created its own sales team.<ref name="twentynine"/><ref name="eleven"/> Entering the market after several competitors had been established, Act-On enjoyed a [[second-mover advantage]].<ref name="nine">{{cite news
| title =The 2012 Sales And Marketing Integration Award Report
| publisher =DemandGen Report
| date =June 26, 2012
| url =http://www.demandgenreport.com/industry-topics/revenue-strategies/1310-the-2012-sales-and-marketing-integration-award-report.html
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref>


In 2009 the company's investors tried to convince founder Raghu Raghavan to move Act-On to Silicon Valley, but it remained in Oregon.<ref name="twentyfour">{{cite news
In 2009 the company's investors tried to convince founder Raghu Raghavan to move Act-On to Silicon Valley, but he kept it in Oregon.<ref name="twentyfour">{{cite news
| last =Rogoway
| last =Rogoway
| first =Mike
| first =Mike
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| newspaper =The Oregonian
| newspaper =The Oregonian
| date =June 1, 2011
| date =June 1, 2011
|accessdate=February 4, 2014
| url =http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/06/act-on_software_lands_10_milli.html
| url =http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/06/act-on_software_lands_10_milli.html
| accessdate=February 4, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="thirtythree">{{cite news
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="thirtythree">{{cite news
| last =Rogoway
| last =Rogoway
| first =Mike
| first =Mike
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| date =November 14, 2010
| date =November 14, 2010
| url =http://blog.oregonlive.com/siliconforest/2010/11/act-on_resists_silicon_valleys.html
| url =http://blog.oregonlive.com/siliconforest/2010/11/act-on_resists_silicon_valleys.html
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> The company raised a second round of funding for $4 million<ref name="thirtythree" /> in November 2010
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> The company raised a second round of funding for $4 million<ref name="thirtytwo">{{cite news
| last =Huang
<ref>{{Cite web|title = Act-On Software Scores $4M from Voyager, USVP {{!}} Xconomy|url = http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2010/11/15/act-on-software-scores-4m-from-voyager-usvp/|accessdate = 2015-09-07}}</ref> and a third round for $10 million in June 2011.<ref name="twentyfour" /><ref name="KW">{{cite news|title=Trinity Leads $10M Investment in Act-On Software, Helping Oregon-Based Digital Marketing Company Fuel International Growth|url=http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2011/06/01/trinity-invests-10m-in-act-on-software-helping-oregon-based-digital-marketing-company-fuel-international-growth/|publisher=Xconomy|first=Kurt|last=Woodward|accessdate=August 8, 2012|date=June 1, 2011}}</ref><ref name="RW">{{cite news|title=Act-On Raises $10 Million For Online Marketing Automation Platform|url=http://techcrunch.com/2011/06/01/act-on-raises-10-million-for-online-marketing-automation-platform/|publisher=TechCrunch|first=Robin|last=Wauters|accessdate=August 8, 2012|date=June 1, 2011}}</ref> In March 2011 Act-On re-launched its software with a new user interface.<ref name="thirtyone">{{cite news
| first =Gregory
| title =Act-On Software Scores $4M from Voyager, USVP
| publisher =Xconomy
| date =November 15, 2010
| url =http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2010/11/15/act-on-software-scores-4m-from-voyager-usvp/
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> in November 2010
<ref name="twentyfive">{{cite news
| last =Woodward
| first =Curt
| title =Trinity Leads $10M Investment in Act-On Software, Helping Oregon-Based Digital Marketing Company Fuel International Growth
| publisher =Xconomy
| date =June 1, 2011
| url =http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2011/06/01/trinity-invests-10m-in-act-on-software-helping-oregon-based-digital-marketing-company-fuel-international-growth/
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> and a third round for $10 million in June 2011.<ref>{{cite news
| last =Wauters
| first =Robin
| title =Act-On Raises $10 Million For Online Marketing Automation Platform
| publisher =TechCrunch
| date =June 1, 2011
| url =http://techcrunch.com/2011/06/01/act-on-raises-10-million-for-online-marketing-automation-platform/
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> In March 2011 Act-On re-launched its software with a new user interface.<ref name="thirtyone">{{cite news
| last =Casey
| last =Casey
| first =Kevin
| first =Kevin
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| date =March 1, 2011
| date =March 1, 2011
| url =http://www.informationweek.com/smb/hardware-software/act-on-unveils-online-marketing-platform/229219579
| url =http://www.informationweek.com/smb/hardware-software/act-on-unveils-online-marketing-platform/229219579
| accessdate = August 8, 2012 }}</ref> Later that year, Act-On expanded into larger offices in [[Beaverton, Oregon]], [[Roseville, California]] and also established a new location in [[Silicon Valley]].<ref name="seventeen">{{cite news
| accessdate = August 8, 2012 }}</ref> It acquired a struggling software developer, MarketBright, for its customers and employees a month later, without integrating its intellectual property.<ref name="crm"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Act-On Software Acquires Assets of Marketbright|publisher=Demand Gen Report|url=http://www.demandgenreport.com/industry-topics/industry-news/1381-act-on-software-acquires-assets-of-marketbright-.html#.UvE89_buXlU|date=July 28, 2011|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref> Later that year, Act-On expanded into larger offices in [[Beaverton, Oregon]] and [[Roseville, California]]. It also established a new location in [[Silicon Valley]].<ref name="seventeen">{{cite news
| last =Batista
| last =Batista
| first =Amanda
| first =Amanda
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| date =November 29, 2011
| date =November 29, 2011
| url =http://www.demandgenreport.com/industry-topics/archives/feature-articles/1001-act-on-software-surpasses-500-customers-plans-aggressive-expansion-track-in-2012-.html#.U2nEjfldVjQ
| url =http://www.demandgenreport.com/industry-topics/archives/feature-articles/1001-act-on-software-surpasses-500-customers-plans-aggressive-expansion-track-in-2012-.html#.U2nEjfldVjQ
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> An additional $16 million in funding was raised the following year.<ref>{{cite news
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> In 2011, Act-On started a European channel program through a partner, Pipedream.<ref name="crm"/><ref>{{cite news
| title =Act-On Software teams up with Pipedream to ender Europe
| publisher =B2B Marketing
| date =May 10, 2011
| url =http://www.b2bmarketing.net/news/archive/international-news-act-software-teams-pipedream-enter-europe
| accessdate = August 8, 2012}}</ref> An additional $16 million in funding was raised the following year.<ref>{{cite news
| last =Butcher
| last =Butcher
| first =Mike
| first =Mike
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| date =September 6, 2012
| date =September 6, 2012
| url =http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/06/act-ons-16m-d-round-is-evidence-that-online-marketing-will-be-automated/
| url =http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/06/act-ons-16m-d-round-is-evidence-that-online-marketing-will-be-automated/
| accessdate =September 18, 2012 }}</ref>
| accessdate =September 18, 2012 }}</ref>


By 2013, the company had 140 employees,<ref name=":7">{{cite news|title=Inc. 5000: #172 Act-On Software|url=http://www.inc.com/profile/act-on-software|newspaper= Inc. Magazine|accessdate=May 7, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=April 28, 2014|title=Act-On Software on hiring spree, mostly for Roseville office|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2014/04/28/act-on-software-on-hiring-spree-mostly-for.html?page=all|accessdate=May 7, 2014|publisher=Sacramento Business Journal|first=Mark|last=Anderson}}</ref> up from 11 in 2010 and 35 in 2011.<ref name="twentyfour"/><ref name="sixteen">{{cite news
According to CRM search, Act-On began to "hit its stride" in 2012, multiplying in revenues and headcount each year.<ref name="crm"/> By 2013, the company had 140 employees,<ref>{{cite news|title=Inc. 5000: #172 Act-On Software|url=http://www.inc.com/profile/act-on-software|newspaper= Inc. Magazine|accessdate=May 7, 2014}}</ref><Ref>{{cite news|date=April 28, 2014|title=Act-On Software on hiring spree, mostly for Roseville office|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2014/04/28/act-on-software-on-hiring-spree-mostly-for.html?page=all|accessdate=May 7, 2014|publisher=Sacramento Business Journal|first=Mark|last=Anderson}}</ref> up from 11 in 2010 and 35 in 2011.<ref name="twentyfour"/><ref name="sixteen">{{cite news
| title =Act-On Software Reports 405% Revenue Growth; Expands International Footprint
| title =Act-On Software Reports 405% Revenue Growth; Expands International Footprint
| publisher =DemandGen Report
| publisher =DemandGen Report
| date =January 19, 2012
| date =January 19, 2012
| url =http://www.demandgenreport.com/industry-topics/industry-news/1184-act-on-software-reports-405-revenue-growth-expands-international-footprint-.html
| url =http://www.demandgenreport.com/industry-topics/industry-news/1184-act-on-software-reports-405-revenue-growth-expands-international-footprint-.html
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> In early 2013, it expanded again into larger offices in Beaverton.<ref>{{cite news|title=Act-On Software, continuing to grow, will move to larger offices in Beaverton|first=Mike|last=Rogoway|newspaper=The Oregonian|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2013/05/act-on_software_continuing_to.html|date=May 22, 2013|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref>
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> It moved into larger offices in Beaverton again in early 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Act-On Software, continuing to grow, will move to larger offices in Beaverton|first=Mike|last=Rogoway|newspaper=The Oregonian|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2013/05/act-on_software_continuing_to.html|date=May 22, 2013|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref> Act-On also hosted a programming competition called “Gamify Green for Good,” where participants are challenged to create gaming applications that address real-world problems.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hackathon encourages gaming app ideas for the greater good|url=http://portlandtribune.com/bvt/15-news/135439-hackathon-encourages-gaming-app-ideas-for-the-greater-good|newspaper=Beaverton Valley Times|date=April 4, 2013|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref> In October 2013, Act-On opened its APIs so that developers could build third-party applications that use Act-On's data and extend the software's features.<ref>{{cite news|title=Act-On opens APIs to third-party developers|date=October 30, 2013|url=http://adage.com/article/btob/act-opens-apis-party-developers/290583/|newspaper=AdAge|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref>


In April 2014, $42 million in additional funding was raised, which was the largest funding round in the Oregon technology market since the [[dot com bubble]].<ref name="Or"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/2014/04/act-on-software-lands-42m.html?page=all|newspaper=Portland Business Journal|first=Malia|last=Spencer|title=Act-On Software lands $42M|date=April 15, 2014}}</ref> Act-On now employs 425 people, up from 250 in 2014,<ref name=":7" /> and has expanded to include multiple offices in the U.S. and two abroad.<ref name=MS>{{cite news|title=CEOs of the Year - Tech: Raghu Raghavan of ActOn Software|newspaper = Portland Business Journal|url =http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/print-edition/2015/01/30/ceos-of-the-year-tech-raghu-raghavan-of-acton.html|first =Malia|last =Spencer|date =January 30, 2015|accessdate = September 11, 2015}}</ref> It serves over 3,000 customers worldwide.<ref name="MTA"/> In 2015, Act-On expanded its executive team with a new CFO, formerly of the company Jive, a VP of demand generation, previously with ExactTarget, and a VP of cloud operations.<ref name="twentwo">{{cite news|title =Tech firm lures CFO away from Jive, expands management team|url = http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/techflash/2015/03/tech-firm-lures-cfo-away-from-jive-expands.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bizj_portland+%28Portland+Business+Journal%29|first =Jon|last =Bell|accessdate =September 11, 2015 |date=March 30, 2015|publisher=Portland Business Journal}}</ref><ref name="twentthree">{{cite news|title =Act-On Software hires CFO from Jive, names two other execs|url =http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/03/act-on_software_names_jive_vet.html|first =Mike|last =Rogoway|accessdate =September 11, 2015 |date=March 30, 2015|publisher=The Oregonian}}</ref>
In April 2014, $42 million in additional funding was raised, which was the largest funding round in the Oregon technology market since the [[dot com bubble]].<reF>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/2014/04/act-on-software-lands-42m.html?page=all|newspaper=Portland Business Journal|first=Malia|last=Spencer|title=Act-On Software lands $42M|date=April 15, 2014}}</ref><reF>{{cite news|title=Act-On Software lands whopping $42 million VC round, among Silicon Forest's biggest ever|newspaper=The Oregonian|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2014/04/act-on_software_lands_whopping.html|first=Mike|last=Rogoway|accessdate=May 7, 2014|date=April 15, 2014}}</ref>


==Features==
==Features==
[[File:The "Quick Start" guide in Act-On's online user-interface, Aug 2015.png|thumb|right|The "Quick Start" guide in Act-On's online user interface.]]
[[File:The "Quick Start" guide in Act-On's online user-interface, Aug 2015.png|thumb|right|The "Quick Start" guide in Act-On's online user interface.]]
Act-On is a subscription-based [[software-as-a-service]] (SaaS) product for [[marketing automation]]. Its software products include tools for [[email marketing]], [[landing pages]], lead management, [[social media]] prospecting, CRM integration, [[webinar]] management and [[analytics]] among others.<ref name="Geek" /><ref name="Venbt" /><ref name="MTA" />
Act-On is a subscription-based [[software-as-a-service]] (SaaS) product for [[marketing automation]] that includes tools for [[email marketing]], [[landing pages]], lead management, [[social media]] prospecting, [[webinar]] management and [[analytics]] among others.<ref name="twentynine"/><ref name="crm"/>


Act-On has a Twitter Prospector tool introduced in 2010 that automates the publishing and monitoring of content on Twitter, tracking prospective customers and measuring their activity.<ref>{{cite news|title=Act-On Twitter App Connecting Social Outreach to Marketing Automation|date=April 5, 2010|url=http://www.demandgenreport.com/industry-topics/archives/demandgen-reports/438-act-on-adds-twitter-app-connecting-social-outreach-to-marketing-automation.html#.UvG6evaWVAQ|publisher=DemandGen Report|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref> An Act-On Insight tool, released in June 2012, compares a company's social media marketing performance to competitors.<ref name="five">{{cite news
Act-On has a Twitter Prospector tool introduced in 2010 that automates the publishing and monitoring of content on Twitter, tracking prospective customers and measuring their activity.<ref name="crm"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Act-On Twitter App Connecting Social Outreach to Marketing Automation|date=April 5, 2010|url=http://www.demandgenreport.com/industry-topics/archives/demandgen-reports/438-act-on-adds-twitter-app-connecting-social-outreach-to-marketing-automation.html#.UvG6evaWVAQ|publisher=DemandGen Report|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref> An Act-On Insight tool that was released in June 2012 compares a company's social media marketing performance to competitors.<ref name="five">{{cite news
| last = Gleberman
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| first =Monica
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| date =July 2, 2012
| date =July 2, 2012
| url =http://www.bizreport.com/2012/07/new-tools-offer-additional-reporting-features-for-online-soc.html
| url =http://www.bizreport.com/2012/07/new-tools-offer-additional-reporting-features-for-online-soc.html
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> Its Hot Prospects tool, introduced at the 2011 Dreamforce conference, creates a dashboard in Salesforce.com that scores the likelihood a prospect is ready to make a purchasing decision.<ref name="twentytwo">{{cite news
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> Its Hot Prospects tool, which was introduced at the 2011 Dreamforce conference, creates a dashboard in [[Salesforce.com]] that scores the likelihood that a prospect is ready to make a purchasing decision.<ref name="twentytwo">{{cite news
| last =Casey
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| date =September 2, 2011
| date =September 2, 2011
| url =http://www.informationweek.com/smb/services/one-smbs-secret-for-improving-sales-lead/231600734?queryText=act-on+software/
| url =http://www.informationweek.com/smb/services/one-smbs-secret-for-improving-sales-lead/231600734?queryText=act-on+software/
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> A set of software tools for search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising and other inbound tactics was introduced in May 2013 under the name Act-On Inbound. Act-On also introduced a mobile app and mobile optimization features.<ref>{{cite news|title=Act-On Extends Inbound Marketing Capabilities, Unveils Mobile App|date=May 30, 2013|url=http://www.demandgenreport.com/industry-topics/demand-generation-strategies/2159-act-on-extends-inbound-marketing-capabilities-unveils-mobile-app.html#.UvGCf_buXlW|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news|title=Act-On Adds Inbound Marketing Capabilities, New Mobile App|url=http://www.cmswire.com/cms/customer-experience/acton-adds-inbound-marketing-capabilities-new-mobile-app-021088.php|publisher=CMS Wire|first=Barb|last=Zinck|date=May 29, 2013|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite news|title=Meeting the Wizard of Moz: Culture Breeds Community|first=Benjamin|last=Romano|date=May 29, 2013|publisher=Xconomy}}</ref> In July 2014, Act-On announced a set of product updates intended to improve data visualization and customize the user experience.<ref name="Thirtone">{{cite news|title=Act-On Announces Data Visualization, User Experience, and Integration Enhancements for its Marketing Automation Platform|url=http://cloud-computing-today.com/2014/07/15/1070840/|publisher=Cloud Computing Today|first=Arnal |last=Dayaratna|accessdate=September 15, 2015|date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> Enhancements included a responsive email composer and expanded CRM integrations.<ref name="Thirtwo">{{cite news|title=New Funnel Reports, Gmail Integration Among Upgrades Unveiled At Act-On User Event|url=http://www.demandgenreport.com/industry-topics/industry-news/2742-new-funnel-reports-gmail-integration-among-new-features-unveiled-at-act-on-user-event.html#.U59D_PldWSp|publisher=Demand Gen Report|first=Kim |last=Zimmerman |accessdate=September 15, 2015|date=June 10, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Thirthree">{{cite news|title=Act-On revs up marketing automation: Adds funnel reports, Gmail integration, and more |url=http://venturebeat.com/2014/07/15/act-on-revs-up-marketing-automation-adds-funnel-reports-gmail-integration-and-more/|publisher=Venture Beat |first=John |last=Koetsier |accessdate=September 15, 2015|date=July 15, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Thirfour">{{cite news|title=Act-On’s Enhancements Focus on Reporting, Responsive Design|url=http://www.cmswire.com/cms/digital-marketing/actons-enhancements-focus-on-reporting-responsive-design-025881.php |publisher=CMS Wire|first=Dom |last=Nicastro |accessdate=September 15, 2015|date=July 16, 2014}}</ref>
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> A set of software tools for search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising and other inbound tactics was introduced in May 2013 under the name Act-On Inbound. Act-On also introduced a mobile app and mobile optimization features.<ref>{{cite news|title=Act-On Extends Inbound Marketing Capabilities, Unveils Mobile App|date=May 30, 2013|url=http://www.demandgenreport.com/industry-topics/demand-generation-strategies/2159-act-on-extends-inbound-marketing-capabilities-unveils-mobile-app.html#.UvGCf_buXlW|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Act-On Adds Inbound Marketing Capabilities, New Mobile App|url=http://www.cmswire.com/cms/customer-experience/acton-adds-inbound-marketing-capabilities-new-mobile-app-021088.php|publisher=CMS Wire|first=Barb|last=Zinck|date=May 29, 2013|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Meeting the Wizard of Moz: Culture Breeds Community|first=Benjamin|last=Romano|date=May 29, 2013|accessdate=February 4, 2014|publisher=Xconomy}}</ref>


⚫
Act-On is intended for marketing departments of between one and 15 people,<ref name="crm"/><ref>{{cite news|publisher=Customer.tv|title=Customer Strategies & Technologies|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBHXXufugqg&feature=plcp Act-On Software — Marketing Software's Rise & Benefits|accessdate=February 4, 2014|first=Chuck|last=Schaeffer}}</ref> as a low-cost alternative to enterprise software suites.<ref name="eight">{{cite news
In March 2015, It introduced Act-On Anywhere, a Chrome application allowing users access to marketing automation data and functionalities across any web-based browser.<ref name="Thirfiv">{{cite news|title=Act-On Brings Automation to the Browser|url=http://www.dmnews.com/marketing-automation/act-on-brings-automation-to-the-browser/article/402858/|publisher=Direct Marketing News|first=Al |last=Urbanski |accessdate=September 15, 2015|date=March 11, 2014}}</ref> Allowing users to embed calls-to-action in web pages and blogs from any web-based content management system,<ref name="Thirsix">{{cite news|title=New Chrome app puts Act-On’s marketing automation tools front and center for SMBs |url=http://www.cio.com/article/2895634/new-chrome-app-puts-actons-marketing-automation-tools-front-and-center-for-smbs.html#tk.rss_enterprisesoftware|publisher=CIO Magazine|first=Katherine |last=Noyes|accessdate=September 15, 2015|date=March 11, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Thirsev">{{cite news|title=Act-On Anywhere Targets Small Business Marketers|url=http://www.eweek.com/small-business/act-on-anywhere-targets-small-business-marketers.html |publisher=EWeek|first=Nathan |last=Eddy |accessdate=September 15, 2015|date=March 17, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Thirate">{{cite news|title=Take Your Marketing Act Anywhere |url=http://www.websitemagazine.com/content/blogs/posts/archive/2015/03/18/take-your-marketing-act-anywhere.aspx |publisher=Website Magazine |first=Amberly |last=Dressler |accessdate=September 15, 2015|date=March 18, 2015}}</ref> this extension along with Act-On’s open APIs, supports a larger vision for an open marketing ecosystem, in which third-party applications can plug and play with Act-On – ensuring that end-users can continue to leverage their current systems and augment the use of those systems using engagement data collected within marketing automation.<ref name="Thirsev"/><ref name="Thirnine">{{cite news|title=Embedding marketing automation in WordPress, Twitter, LinkedIn: Act-On launches Anywhere |url=http://venturebeat.com/2015/03/11/embedding-marketing-automation-in-wordpress-twitter-linkedin-act-on-launches-anywhere/ |publisher=Venture Beat |first=Andrew |last=Jones |accessdate=September 15, 2015|date=March 11, 2015}}</ref>

In June 2015, Act-On released Data Studio, an advanced data access and analytics tool allowing users to visualize, select, configure and export Act-On data to any Business Intelligence (BI) platform.<ref name="Fort">{{cite news|title=Act-On surfaces engagement data|url=http://www.thehubcomms.com/analytics/act-on-surfaces-engagement-data/article/418097/ |publisher=The Hub Comms |accessdate=September 15, 2015|date=June 2, 2015}}</ref> Offered as part of Act-On's enterprise package, the feature equips users with built-in wizards, filters and templates to extract and report on engagement data in real-time.<ref name="Fortone">{{cite news|title=Act-On Announces Data Studio for Deeper Analytics, Visual Discovery|url=http://www.eweek.com/small-business/act-on-announces-data-studio-for-deeper-analytics-visual-discovery.html|publisher=EWeek|first=Nathan |last=Eddy |accessdate=September 15, 2015|date=June 5, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Fortwo">{{cite news|title=Act-On releases new Data Studio tool to feed data-hungry marketers|url=http://venturebeat.com/2015/06/01/act-on-releases-new-data-studio-tool-to-feed-data-hungry-marketers/ |publisher=EWeek|first=Barry|last=Levine|accessdate=September 15, 2015|date=June 1, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Forthree">{{cite news|title= Act-On Promises Deeper Analytics in Data Studio |url= http://www.cmswire.com/marketing-automation/act-on-debuts-data-studio-capabilities/|publisher=CMS Wire |first=Dom |last=Nicastro |accessdate=September 15, 2015|date=June 3, 2015}}</ref>

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Act-On is intended for marketing departments of between one and 15 people,<ref name="fortfor">{{cite news|publisher=Customer.tv|title=Customer Strategies & Technologies|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBHXXufugqg&feature=plcp Act-On Software — Marketing Software's Rise & Benefits|accessdate=February 4, 2014|first=Chuck|last=Schaeffer}}</ref> as a low-cost alternative to enterprise software suites.<ref name="eight">{{cite news
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| url =http://www.destinationcrm.com/Articles/CRM-News/Daily-News/Act-On-Software-Rolls-Out-Online-and-Social-Media-Tracking-Tool-83471.aspx
| url =http://www.destinationcrm.com/Articles/CRM-News/Daily-News/Act-On-Software-Rolls-Out-Online-and-Social-Media-Tracking-Tool-83471.aspx
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{cite news
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| url =http://www.crmbuyer.com/story/Act-On-Insight-Lets-Businesses-See-How-Theyre-Seen-Online-75513.html
| url =http://www.crmbuyer.com/story/Act-On-Insight-Lets-Businesses-See-How-Theyre-Seen-Online-75513.html
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> It is one of few marketing automation vendors with adoption outside the technology industry,<ref name="Fortsev">{{cite news|title=The Forrester Wave: Lead-to-Revenue Management Platform Vendors, Q1 2014|url=http://www.cmswire.com/marketing-automation/act-on-debuts-data-studio-capabilities/|publisher=Forrester |first=Lori |last=Wizdo |accessdate=February 4, 2014|date=January 21, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Fortate">{{cite news|title=Fast growing marketing automation still has only 3% penetration in non-tech companies |url=http://venturebeat.com/2014/01/08/fast-growing-marketing-automation-still-has-only-3-penetration-in-non-tech-companies/ |publisher=Venture Beat |first=John |last=Koetsier |accessdate=February 4, 2014|date=January 8, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Fortnin">{{cite news|title=HubSpot, Marketo, Pardot, Act-On, and Eloqua lead latest marketing automation numbers|url=http://venturebeat.com/2014/11/07/hubspot-marketo-pardot-act-on-and-eloqua-lead-latest-marketing-automation-market-share-numbers/ |publisher=Venture Beat |first=John |last=Koetsier |accessdate=September 14, 2015|date=November 7, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Fifte">{{cite news|title=50% of companies use multiple marketing automation systems|url=http://venturebeat.com/2014/01/20/50-of-companies-use-multiple-marketing-automation-systems-vb-marketing-automation-index-update/ |publisher=Venture Beat |first=John |last=Koetsier |accessdate=February 4, 2014|date=January 20, 2014}}</ref> and currently has a 7 percent share of the marketing automation market overall.<ref name="Fortnin"/>
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> It is one of few marketing automation vendors with adoption outside the technology industry<ref name="crm"/><ref name="forrester"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Fast growing marketing automation still has only 3% penetration in non-tech companies|url=http://venturebeat.com/2014/01/08/fast-growing-marketing-automation-still-has-only-3-penetration-in-non-tech-companies/|publisher=VentureBeat|date=January 8, 2014|first=John|last=Koetsier|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref> and has a 4.9 percent share of the marketing automation market overall.<ref>{{cite news|title=50% of companies use multiple marketing automation systems|date=January 20, 2014|first=John|last=Koetsier|url=http://venturebeat.com/2014/01/20/50-of-companies-use-multiple-marketing-automation-systems-vb-marketing-automation-index-update/|publisher=VentureBeat|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref>


Act-On has 2,200 users.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://customerexperiencematrix.blogspot.com/2014/02/marketing-automation-2014-industry.html|publisher=Customer Experience Matrix|date=February 13, 2014|accessdate=February 14, 2014|first=David|last=Raab|title=Marketing Automation 2014 Industry Overview: What the Surveys Tell Us}}</ref> Most users are small to medium-sized companies, though there are some larger companies using it, such as [[IBM]], [[Motorola]] and [[Siemens]].<ref name="crm"/> As of 2011, about 10 percent of Act-On's clients are WebEx users and 60 percent are Salesforce users.<ref name="eleven"/>
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Users can manage WebEx and GoToWebinar events within the software. It also integrates with data and analytics services, such as [[Google Analytics]].<ref name="Fortsev">{{cite news|title=The Forrester Wave: Lead-to-Revenue Management Platform Vendors, Q1 2014|url=http://www.cmswire.com/marketing-automation/act-on-debuts-data-studio-capabilities/|publisher=Forrester |first=Lori |last=Wizdo |accessdate=February 4, 2014|date=January 21, 2014}}</ref><ref name="depot">{{citation|title=Market Intelligence Report: B2B Marketing Automation Tools 2013: A Marketer’s Guide|url=http://downloads.digitalmarketingdepot.com/rs/thirddoormedia/images/MIR_1303_MarketAuto.pdf|accessdate=February 4, 2014|first=Claire|last=Schoen}}</ref> More connectors are available for [[Microsoft Dynamics]], [[WordPress]], Salesforce, [[SugarCRM]], [[Oktopost]] and others.<ref name="nine">{{cite news
|title = The 2012 Sales And Marketing Integration Award Report|publisher = DemandGen Report|date = June 26, 2012|url = http://www.demandgenreport.com/industry-topics/revenue-strategies/1310-the-2012-sales-and-marketing-integration-award-report.html|accessdate = August 8, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Fiftree">{{cite news|title=5 Online Tools I Recommend to B2C Israeli Startups|url=http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/5-online-tools-i-recommend-to-new-b2c-israeli-startups/ |publisher=Times of Israel |first=Sam Avishai |last=Bitton |accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date=February 7, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Fiftfor">{{cite news|title=Let’s Talk Act-On: Behind the Software Q&A with CMO Atri Chatterjee |url=http://www.business-software.com/blog/act-on-shakes-up-marketing-industry/ |publisher=Business Software Com |first=Kristen |last=Crosier |accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date=May 14, 2014}}</ref>


⚫
Users can manage WebEx and GoToWebinars events within the software. It also integrates with some data and analytics services, such as [[Google Analytics]].<ref name="depot">{{citation|title=Market Intelligence Report: B2B Marketing Automation Tools 2013: A Marketer’s Guide|url=http://downloads.digitalmarketingdepot.com/rs/thirddoormedia/images/MIR_1303_MarketAuto.pdf|accessdate=February 4, 2014|first=Claire|last=Schoen}}</ref> Plug-ins can be used to connect with [[Microsoft Dynamics]], [[WordPress]], [[Salesforce]], [[SugarCRM]] or others.<ref name="nine"/><ref>{{cite news
As part of its Open Marketing Ecosystem, the Act-On platform offers native integrations with all major CRM systems, so as to be vendor agnostic without being indifferent.<ref name="fiftfiv">{{cite news|title =Act-On Builds Native Integration to Major CRMs|url=http://www.demandgenreport.com/industry-topics/industry-news/2866-act-on-builds-native-integration-to-major-crms.html#.U_YcxPldWSr|accessdate=September 16, 2015|date=August 20, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Fiftsix">{{cite news|title=Act-On Software now offers native integrations with all major CRM systems |url=http://www.thehubcomms.com/news/act-on-software-now-offers-native-integrations-with-all-major-crm-systems/article/367098/ |publisher=The Hub Comms |first=Omar |last=Akhtar |accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date=August 20, 2014}}</ref> A separate version for agencies has an agency dashboard to centrally manage multiple client campaigns and is sold at a lower bulk price.<ref name="depot">{{citation|title=Market Intelligence Report: B2B Marketing Automation Tools 2013: A Marketer’s Guide|url=http://downloads.digitalmarketingdepot.com/rs/thirddoormedia/images/MIR_1303_MarketAuto.pdf|accessdate=February 4, 2014|first=Claire|last=Schoen}}</ref> Act-On also promotes its agency partners and third-party applications on the Act-On Partner Exchange (APEX), manages an educational resource called the Act-On Center of Excellence (ACE) and provides professional services.<ref name="depot">{{citation|title=Market Intelligence Report: B2B Marketing Automation Tools 2013: A Marketer’s Guide|url=http://downloads.digitalmarketingdepot.com/rs/thirddoormedia/images/MIR_1303_MarketAuto.pdf|accessdate=February 4, 2014|first=Claire|last=Schoen}}</ref><ref name="Fiftfor">{{cite news|title=Let’s Talk Act-On: Behind the Software Q&A with CMO Atri Chatterjee |url=http://www.business-software.com/blog/act-on-shakes-up-marketing-industry/ |publisher=Business Software Com |first=Kristen |last=Crosier |accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date=May 14, 2014}}</ref>
| last =Levine
| first =Barry
| title =Act-On Software Adds Benchmarking Tool to Online Marketing Platform
| publisher =CMS Wire
| date =June 27, 2012
| url =http://www.cmswire.com/cms/customer-experience/acton-software-adds-benchmarking-tool-to-online-marketing-platform-016282.php
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> A separate version for agencies has an agency dashboard to centrally manage multiple client campaigns and is sold at a lower bulk price.<ref name="lasto">{{citation|title=The Channel Guide to Marketing Automation PRM & CRM|url=http://tiekinetix.com/rc_files/tiekinetix/resources/CMR_Guide_CRM_Marketing_Automation.pdf|publisher=Channel Marketer Report|year=2013|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref> Act-On also promotes its agency partners and third-party applications on the Act-On Partner Exchange (APEX), manages an educational resource called the Act-On Center of Excellence (ACE) and provides professional services.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.act-on.com/|publisher=Act-On|accessdate=February 4, 2014|title=Act-On homepage}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
A CRMSearch.com review recommends Act-On for small to medium-sized businesses with a marketing staff of 5-10 people, especially those automating marketing campaigns for the first time, or who focus on webinars and email marketing. It urges enterprise users to consider competitors' products, especially if they need strong international support or user access controls. The review said that Act-On is less sophisticated than some enterprise products, but that its simplicity makes it easier to use and more practical for smaller marketing teams. Act-On's strengths in the review were its user interface and pricing, though competitors are emerging with similar characteristics.<ref name="crm"/>
Act-On continues to draw praise for its growth, product and leadership. The company was named to the Inc. 500 List of Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies in 2013, 2014 and 2015,<ref name=":7">{{cite news|title=Inc. 5000: #172 Act-On Software|url=http://www.inc.com/profile/act-on-software|newspaper= Inc. Magazine|accessdate=May 7, 2014}}</ref> Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 List in 2013<ref name="Fiftsev">{{cite news|title=Technology Fast 500™ Powerful Connections: 2013 ranking of the fastest growing technology based companies in North America|url=http://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/us-tmt-2013-fast500-winners-brochure-020515.pdf%E2%89%88 |publisher=Deloitte|accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date=November 13, 2013}}</ref> and 2014,<ref name="Fiftate">{{cite news|title=Deloitte’s 2014 Technology Fast 500™ Ranking|url=http://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/us-tmt-fast500-2014-ranking-list.pdf |publisher=Deloitte|accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date=November 13, 2014}}</ref> and Portland Business Journal’s List of 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in 2013,<ref name="Fiftnin">{{cite news|title=PBJ100: See where the fastest growing companies rank|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/2013/06/pbj100-see-where-the-fastest-growing.html |publisher=Portland Business Journal |first=Mason |last=Walker |accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date=June 20, 2013}}</ref> 2014,<ref name="Sixt">{{cite news|title=PBJ100: See where the fastest growing companies rank|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/2013/06/pbj100-see-where-the-fastest-growing.html |publisher=Portland Business Journal |first=Mason |last=Walker |accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date=June 12, 2014}}</ref> and 2015.<ref name="Sixone">{{cite news|title= PBJ100: Here are Oregon’s fastest growing companies (Ranked)|url= http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/2015/06/the-pbj100-here-are-oregons-fastest-growing.html#g82 |publisher=Portland Business Journal |first=Mason |last=Walker |accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date=June 17, 2015}}</ref>


In a 2014 Forrester Wave, Act-On was ranked in the "Leaders" category for Lead-to-Revenue Management software. Forrester said Act-On's pricing, simplicity and feature-set was "right-sized" for small to medium-sized marketing teams. Its highest scores in the evaluation were for its software and support, but it received lower scores for market presence and company financials.<ref name="forrester">{{citation|title=The Forrester Wave: Lead-to-Revenue Management Platform Vendors, Q1 2014|publisher=Forrester|first=Lori|last=Wizdo|date=January 21, 2014|accessdate=February 4, 2014|url=http://www.forrester.com/The+Forrester+Wave+LeadToRevenue+Management+Platform+Vendors+Q1+2014/fulltext/-/E-RES95221}}</ref> In Gleanster’s Gleansight benchmark, Act-On received a "Best" ranking in three out of four categories: ease of deployment, ease of use and overall value.<ref name="gleansight">{{cite news
In early 2015, the Portland Business Journal anointed Act-On’s CEO Raghu Raghavan the Technology CEO of the Year, for his ability to manage the company's growth across multiple offices and continents.<ref name=MS>{{cite news|title=CEOs of the Year - Tech: Raghu Raghavan of ActOn Software|newspaper = Portland Business Journal|url =http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/print-edition/2015/01/30/ceos-of-the-year-tech-raghu-raghavan-of-acton.html|first =Malia|last =Spencer|date =January 30, 2015|accessdate = September 11, 2015}}</ref>
| title =Gleansight: Marketing Automation

| publisher =Gleansight
In February, Act-On published the results of a three-month survey, detailing differences between top and average performing B2B companies.<ref name="Sixdos">{{cite news|title=Should Marketers Drive the Customer Experience? |url=http://www.1to1media.com/view.aspx?docid=35238|publisher=1to1 Media |first=Anna |last= Papachristos |accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date= February 19, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="Sixtree">{{cite news|title=Sales Owns CX, Say B2B Marketers|url=http://www.dmnews.com/marketing-automation/sales-owns-cx-say-b2b-marketers/article/398934/ |publisher= Direct Marketing News |first=Al |last= Urbanski |accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date= February 18, 2015 }}</ref> The report found that few marketers owned the customer lifecycle "end to end," and top-performers were likelier to focus on customer retention and expansion, rather than their mid-size, average-performing peers.<ref name="Sixfor">{{cite news|title=What Top B2B Marketers Know That You Don’t |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/christinecrandell/2015/02/18/what-top-b2b-marketers-know-that-you-dont/ |publisher=Forbes|first=Christine |last= Crandell|accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date= February 18, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Sixfiv">{{cite news|title=Mid-Size B2B Marketers Focusing More on Acquisition Than Retention|url=http://www.marketingcharts.com/online/midsize-b2b-marketers-prioritizing-customer-acquisition-over-retention-51667/ |publisher=Market Charts|accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date= February 19, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Sixix">{{cite news|title=Digital Marketers Must Own the Customer Lifecycle |url=http://www.cio.com/article/2888258/marketing/digital-marketers-must-own-the-customer-lifecycle.html |publisher=CIO Magazine |first=Tom |last=Kaneshige|accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date= February 24, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Sixsev">{{cite news|title=Only marketing can engage customers across the entire spectrum of CRM – report|url=http://www.mycustomer.com/news/marketing-%E2%80%9C-only-function-positioned-engage-customers-across-entire-spectrum-crm%E2%80%9D |publisher=MyCustomer |first=Chris |last=Ward |accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date= February 25, 2015}}</ref> For its efforts promoting this report, Act-On was shortlisted for MarketingProfs' 2015 B2B Bright Bulb Awards.<ref name="Sixsate">{{cite news|title=And the finalists are…|url=http://www.marketingprofs.com/events/bright-bulb-awards-2015/2015finalists |publisher=MarketingProfs |accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date=July 24, 2015}}</ref>
| date =June 2012

| url =http://www.gleanster.com/reports/reports/2
In the 2014 Forrester Wave Report on Lead-to-Revenue Management Vendors, Act-On was ranked a leader in both categories: Small Marketing Teams and Large Enterprises. Forrester noted that Act-On did an admirable job delivering functionality for "nearly every criterion" evaluated: Simplicity, feature-set, software and support.<ref name="Fortsev">{{cite news|title=The Forrester Wave: Lead-to-Revenue Management Platform Vendors, Q1 2014|url=http://www.cmswire.com/marketing-automation/act-on-debuts-data-studio-capabilities/|publisher=Forrester |first=Lori |last=Wizdo |accessdate=February 4, 2014|date=January 21, 2014}}</ref> In Gleanster’s Gleansight 2014 benchmark, Act-On received a "Best" ranking in three out of four categories: Ease of deployment, ease of use and overall value.<ref name="Sixnin">{{cite news|title=Gleanster 2014 Benchmark Report: Marketing Automation |url=https://www.act-on.com/docs/reports/Gleansight-Benchmark-2014MarketingAutomation-VL.pdf |publisher=Gleanster |accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date=August 25, 2014}}</ref> In the 2014 VEST report from analyst firm Raab Associates, Act-On was awarded “good scores” on the “product and vendor dimensions,” numbering among “strong leaders” in the “crowded small-to-midsize company segment.”<ref name="Sevtee">{{cite news|title=2014 Marketing Automation Vendor Selection Tool (VEST) |url=http://raabguide.com/vest |publisher=Raab Associates |accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date=August 5, 2014}}</ref> The 2015 VEST report named Act-On as “the only privately held company to rank as a leader across all major categories of business.”<ref name="Sevton">{{cite news|title=VEST Report: Competition in B2B Marketing Automation Isn’t About Features |url=http://customerexperiencematrix.blogspot.in/2015/07/vest-report-competition-in-b2b.html |publisher=Customer Experience Matrix |accessdate=September 16, 2015 |date=July 31, 2015}}</ref>
| accessdate =August 8, 2012 }}</ref> The VEST report by analyst firm Raab Associates said the software had limitations in lead scoring, progressive profiling and archiving features, but recommended it for small to mid-sized marketing teams. The author said it has some features for small marketing departments not found in competing options, such as API access.<ref name="vest">{{citation|title=VEST Report|date=July 2012|publisher=Raab Associates}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|40em}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.act-on.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.act-on.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.targetmarketingmag.com/article/cloud-based-analytics-lead-scoring-help-ha-advantage-land-sales/1 HA Advantage case study by Target Marketing]

{{coord|45.45958|-122.79206|type:landmark_source:googlemaps_region:US-OR|display=title}}


[[Category:Software companies based in Oregon]]
[[Category:Software companies based in Oregon]]
[[Category:Companies based in Beaverton, Oregon]]
[[Category:Companies based in Beaverton, Oregon]]
[[Category:American companies established in 2008]]
[[Category:American companies established in 2008]]
[[Category:2008 establishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:Marketing software]]

Revision as of 16:03, 17 April 2016

Act-On
Developer(s)Act-On
Initial release2004
Operating systemSoftware as a service
TypeMarketing automation
LicenseSubscription
Websiteact-on.com

Act-On Software is a software-as-a-service product for marketing automation developed by Act-On, a company based in Beaverton, Oregon. It is used mostly by small to medium-sized businesses as a lower-cost alternative to enterprise software. The company was founded in 2008 and initially sold its software exclusively through Cisco, which provided $2 million in funding. It developed its own sales team to market the software directly to users and raised a total of $32 million in funding.[1][2] Act-On has received positive reviews for use by small to medium-sized business due to its ease-of-use, simplicity and cost. However, product reviews have noted that Act-On does not have many of the sophisticated features needed for larger enterprises.

History

Act-On was conceived in 2004 in a conversation between WebEx CEO Subrah Iyar and Act-On founder Raghu Raghavan[3][4] as a way to integrate webinars with marketing automation software.[5] A webinar management tool was developed in a beta pre-release that year.[3][4][5] WebEx, which had planned to fund Act-On,[4] was acquired by Cisco in 2007.[6] In 2008 Cisco's venture capital arm provided $2 million to Act-On in initial funding.[7] Act-On's software was released in beta in June 2008, before being introduced to the market in October of the same year.[5] initially as a software-as-a-service product embedded in Cisco’s collaboration software.[3][4] Act-On began selling the software only through Cisco, but later created its own sales team.[3][4] Entering the market after several competitors had been established, Act-On enjoyed a second-mover advantage.[8]

In 2009 the company's investors tried to convince founder Raghu Raghavan to move Act-On to Silicon Valley, but he kept it in Oregon.[9][10] The company raised a second round of funding for $4 million[7] in November 2010 [11] and a third round for $10 million in June 2011.[12] In March 2011 Act-On re-launched its software with a new user interface.[13] It acquired a struggling software developer, MarketBright, for its customers and employees a month later, without integrating its intellectual property.[5][14] Later that year, Act-On expanded into larger offices in Beaverton, Oregon and Roseville, California. It also established a new location in Silicon Valley.[15] In 2011, Act-On started a European channel program through a partner, Pipedream.[5][16] An additional $16 million in funding was raised the following year.[17]

According to CRM search, Act-On began to "hit its stride" in 2012, multiplying in revenues and headcount each year.[5] By 2013, the company had 140 employees,[18][19] up from 11 in 2010 and 35 in 2011.[9][20] It moved into larger offices in Beaverton again in early 2013.[21] Act-On also hosted a programming competition called “Gamify Green for Good,” where participants are challenged to create gaming applications that address real-world problems.[22] In October 2013, Act-On opened its APIs so that developers could build third-party applications that use Act-On's data and extend the software's features.[23]

In April 2014, $42 million in additional funding was raised, which was the largest funding round in the Oregon technology market since the dot com bubble.[24][25]

Features

The "Quick Start" guide in Act-On's online user interface.

Act-On is a subscription-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) product for marketing automation that includes tools for email marketing, landing pages, lead management, social media prospecting, webinar management and analytics among others.[3][5]

Act-On has a Twitter Prospector tool introduced in 2010 that automates the publishing and monitoring of content on Twitter, tracking prospective customers and measuring their activity.[5][26] An Act-On Insight tool that was released in June 2012 compares a company's social media marketing performance to competitors.[27][28] Its Hot Prospects tool, which was introduced at the 2011 Dreamforce conference, creates a dashboard in Salesforce.com that scores the likelihood that a prospect is ready to make a purchasing decision.[29] A set of software tools for search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising and other inbound tactics was introduced in May 2013 under the name Act-On Inbound. Act-On also introduced a mobile app and mobile optimization features.[30][31][32]

Act-On is intended for marketing departments of between one and 15 people,[5][33] as a low-cost alternative to enterprise software suites.[34][35] It is one of few marketing automation vendors with adoption outside the technology industry[5][36][37] and has a 4.9 percent share of the marketing automation market overall.[38]

Act-On has 2,200 users.[39] Most users are small to medium-sized companies, though there are some larger companies using it, such as IBM, Motorola and Siemens.[5] As of 2011, about 10 percent of Act-On's clients are WebEx users and 60 percent are Salesforce users.[4]

Users can manage WebEx and GoToWebinars events within the software. It also integrates with some data and analytics services, such as Google Analytics.[40] Plug-ins can be used to connect with Microsoft Dynamics, WordPress, Salesforce, SugarCRM or others.[8][41] A separate version for agencies has an agency dashboard to centrally manage multiple client campaigns and is sold at a lower bulk price.[42] Act-On also promotes its agency partners and third-party applications on the Act-On Partner Exchange (APEX), manages an educational resource called the Act-On Center of Excellence (ACE) and provides professional services.[43]

Reception

A CRMSearch.com review recommends Act-On for small to medium-sized businesses with a marketing staff of 5-10 people, especially those automating marketing campaigns for the first time, or who focus on webinars and email marketing. It urges enterprise users to consider competitors' products, especially if they need strong international support or user access controls. The review said that Act-On is less sophisticated than some enterprise products, but that its simplicity makes it easier to use and more practical for smaller marketing teams. Act-On's strengths in the review were its user interface and pricing, though competitors are emerging with similar characteristics.[5]

In a 2014 Forrester Wave, Act-On was ranked in the "Leaders" category for Lead-to-Revenue Management software. Forrester said Act-On's pricing, simplicity and feature-set was "right-sized" for small to medium-sized marketing teams. Its highest scores in the evaluation were for its software and support, but it received lower scores for market presence and company financials.[36] In Gleanster’s Gleansight benchmark, Act-On received a "Best" ranking in three out of four categories: ease of deployment, ease of use and overall value.[44] The VEST report by analyst firm Raab Associates said the software had limitations in lead scoring, progressive profiling and archiving features, but recommended it for small to mid-sized marketing teams. The author said it has some features for small marketing departments not found in competing options, such as API access.[45]

References

  1. ^ Ludwig, Sean (August 8, 2013). "5 Davids beating Goliath in the cloud arena". Venturebeat. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  2. ^ Rogoway, Mike (September 17, 2013). "It's been 3,198 days since Oregon's last tech IPO; who's next". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e Mitra, Sramana (March 8, 2011). "The 1M/1M Deal Radar: Act-On Software, Beaverton, Oregon". Sramana mitra. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Mitra, Srimana (November 11, 2011). "Democratizing Marketing Automation: Act-On CEO Raghu Raghavan (Part 1)". SramanaMitra. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Schaeffer, Chuck. "Act-On Marketing Software Review - An Independent Marketing Software Analysis". CRMSearch. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  6. ^ Malik, Om (March 15, 2007). "Why Cisco paid $3.2B for WebEx?". GigaOm. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  7. ^ a b Huang, Gregory (November 15, 2010). "Act-On Software Scores $4M from Voyager, USVP". Xconomy. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  8. ^ a b "The 2012 Sales And Marketing Integration Award Report". DemandGen Report. June 26, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  9. ^ a b Rogoway, Mike (June 1, 2011). "Act-On Software lands $10 million in venture capital, says Portland startups are finally getting respect". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  10. ^ Rogoway, Mike (November 14, 2010). "Act-On resists Silicon Valley's call, lands $4 million in venture capital anyway". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  11. ^ Woodward, Curt (June 1, 2011). "Trinity Leads $10M Investment in Act-On Software, Helping Oregon-Based Digital Marketing Company Fuel International Growth". Xconomy. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  12. ^ Wauters, Robin (June 1, 2011). "Act-On Raises $10 Million For Online Marketing Automation Platform". TechCrunch. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  13. ^ Casey, Kevin (March 1, 2011). "Act-On Unveils Online Marketing Platform". InformationWeek. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  14. ^ "Act-On Software Acquires Assets of Marketbright". Demand Gen Report. July 28, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  15. ^ Batista, Amanda (November 29, 2011). "Act-On Software Surpasses 500 Customers; Plans Aggressive Expansion Track In 2012". DemandGen Report. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  16. ^ "Act-On Software teams up with Pipedream to ender Europe". B2B Marketing. May 10, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  17. ^ Butcher, Mike (September 6, 2012). "Act-On's $16M D Round From Norwest Venture Is Evidence That Online Marketing Will Be Automated". TechCrunch. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
  18. ^ "Inc. 5000: #172 Act-On Software". Inc. Magazine. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  19. ^ Anderson, Mark (April 28, 2014). "Act-On Software on hiring spree, mostly for Roseville office". Sacramento Business Journal. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  20. ^ "Act-On Software Reports 405% Revenue Growth; Expands International Footprint". DemandGen Report. January 19, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  21. ^ Rogoway, Mike (May 22, 2013). "Act-On Software, continuing to grow, will move to larger offices in Beaverton". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  22. ^ "Hackathon encourages gaming app ideas for the greater good". Beaverton Valley Times. April 4, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  23. ^ "Act-On opens APIs to third-party developers". AdAge. October 30, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  24. ^ Spencer, Malia (April 15, 2014). "Act-On Software lands $42M". Portland Business Journal.
  25. ^ Rogoway, Mike (April 15, 2014). "Act-On Software lands whopping $42 million VC round, among Silicon Forest's biggest ever". The Oregonian. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  26. ^ "Act-On Twitter App Connecting Social Outreach to Marketing Automation". DemandGen Report. April 5, 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  27. ^ Gleberman, Monica (June 28, 2012). "Act-On Software Launches New Tracking Tool, Act-On Insight". TMCNet. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  28. ^ Knight, Kristina (July 2, 2012). "New tools offer additional reporting features for online, social". BizReport. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  29. ^ Casey, Kevin (September 2, 2011). "One SMB's Secret for Improving Sales Leads". InformationWeek. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  30. ^ "Act-On Extends Inbound Marketing Capabilities, Unveils Mobile App". May 30, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  31. ^ Zinck, Barb (May 29, 2013). "Act-On Adds Inbound Marketing Capabilities, New Mobile App". CMS Wire. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  32. ^ Romano, Benjamin (May 29, 2013). "Meeting the Wizard of Moz: Culture Breeds Community". Xconomy. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  33. ^ Schaeffer, Chuck. Act-On Software — Marketing Software's Rise & Benefits "Customer Strategies & Technologies". Customer.tv. Retrieved February 4, 2014. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help)
  34. ^ Aquino, Judith (June 27, 2012). "Act-On Software Rolls Out Online and Social Media Tracking Tool". DestinationCRM. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  35. ^ Morphy, Erika (June 29, 2012). "Act-On Insight Lets Businesses See How They're Seen Online". CRM Buyer. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  36. ^ a b Wizdo, Lori (January 21, 2014), The Forrester Wave: Lead-to-Revenue Management Platform Vendors, Q1 2014, Forrester, retrieved February 4, 2014
  37. ^ Koetsier, John (January 8, 2014). "Fast growing marketing automation still has only 3% penetration in non-tech companies". VentureBeat. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  38. ^ Koetsier, John (January 20, 2014). "50% of companies use multiple marketing automation systems". VentureBeat. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  39. ^ Raab, David (February 13, 2014). "Marketing Automation 2014 Industry Overview: What the Surveys Tell Us". Customer Experience Matrix. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  40. ^ Schoen, Claire, Market Intelligence Report: B2B Marketing Automation Tools 2013: A Marketer’s Guide (PDF), retrieved February 4, 2014
  41. ^ Levine, Barry (June 27, 2012). "Act-On Software Adds Benchmarking Tool to Online Marketing Platform". CMS Wire. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  42. ^ The Channel Guide to Marketing Automation PRM & CRM (PDF), Channel Marketer Report, 2013, retrieved February 4, 2014
  43. ^ Act-On homepage, Act-On, retrieved February 4, 2014
  44. ^ "Gleansight: Marketing Automation". Gleansight. June 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  45. ^ VEST Report, Raab Associates, July 2012

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Act-On&oldid=715720139"