Convert PST to BCM

Understanding PST and BCM file formats

PST (Personal Storage Table) is a file format used by Microsoft Outlook to store emails, contacts, calendar events, and other mailbox items. It is widely used for backing up and transferring Outlook data.

BCM (Business Contact Manager) is a specialized database file format used by Microsoft Outlook's Business Contact Manager add-in. BCM files store business contacts, accounts, sales leads, and project information, helping users manage customer relationships and sales processes.

Why convert PST to BCM?

Converting a PST file to BCM format is useful when you want to import your Outlook contacts, emails, and other data into Business Contact Manager for advanced customer relationship management. This allows you to leverage BCM's features for tracking sales, managing leads, and organizing business contacts.

How to convert PST to BCM

There is no direct one-step converter for PST to BCM, but you can achieve the conversion using Microsoft Outlook with the Business Contact Manager add-in. Here’s how:

1. Install Microsoft Outlook with the Business Contact Manager add-in.
2. Open Outlook and go to File → Open & Export → Open Outlook Data File to open your PST file.
3. Navigate to your contacts or other relevant folders in the PST file.
4. Select the items you want to import into BCM.
5. Right-click and choose Add to Business Contact Manager or use the Business Contact Manager ribbon to import the selected items as business contacts, accounts, or leads.
6. BCM will store the imported data in its own database, which is saved as a BCM file.

Best software for PST to BCM conversion

The most reliable method is using Microsoft Outlook with the Business Contact Manager add-in. No third-party tool offers a direct PST to BCM conversion due to the proprietary nature of both formats. Ensure you have the correct version of Outlook and BCM installed, as BCM is only compatible with certain Outlook versions (typically Outlook 2007, 2010, and 2013).

Tips and considerations

• Always back up your PST and BCM files before starting the conversion process.
• BCM is no longer actively supported by Microsoft, so consider future compatibility.
• If you encounter issues, check for updates or patches for both Outlook and BCM.