Get the fastest, biggest machine that you can afford.
 
Consider getting vmware vSphere.
We have it for almost 3 years?. There is event a free version.
 
Amazing. We run a virtual domain controller, a file server and a dbaserver in one single machine.
 
have fun,
 
Kelloggs

We are running VMware ESXi Version 5.5.0
On an Intel Server with Xeon E5-2650 v2 2.60Ghz processors, with 64GB of memory. 4 Network cards.
 
VWware truly takes advantage of multiple processors. It is a Linux based OS.  
You will not have to deal with it. Just enter an IP. That is it.
The installation process is flawless, and the VMWare client is 100% windows application.
 
EVO and ACT uses sql servers (ACT MS SQL Server 2008), it needs the best Hard Drives. The fastest the better.
Consider buying enterprise HD's. Don't use regular HD's. Do not mix hard drives, same brand, same size, and same batch.  
 
RAID!! very important. We tried several configurations. The best? the fastest? RAID 10!! by far.
10 HD's , 8 RAID 10 and 2 Hot spares
 
Our HD's are 3 years old, we will change them when they are 7 old
This time we will use enterprise SSD. Expensive but I seen them in action. Very, very fast.
 
We still using Pervasive V10, good enough, no plans to change it.
 
Money well spent, but because evo's programming language limitations (It is quite old) Evo will not get any faster. Never, no matter what.
As per you ACT, it will be fast believe me...
 
have fun,
 

 
Kelloggs

I read that document and we had a little "chat" on the pervasive forum with  BtrieveBill (aka goldstar)
Our experience has been the opposite. we can access our pervasive data very quickly.
File access as well, searching takes seconds.
 
But just to be on the safe side, buy your server, install vmware (you can use it for 60 days) and test it.
If you are not convince or don't see any improvement. Just install your Windows OS.
 
Sorry we don't use ACT but we have a bunch of software that use MS SQL 2008 and they all run very, very fast.
we also, on another division, use made2manage (it is an enterprise ERP), SQL base. Everyone is quite happy with the speed.
 
Take your time, Test multiple configurations. Find the one that works for your company.
if you need any help, just ask.
 

 
Kelloggs
 
 

James, what version of ACT do you have? I am testing the 2013v
what type of integration are you planning to have?
one way? evo to act? or bidirectional?
 
 
 
Kelloggs

Excellent link!!!
 

 
Kelloggs
 

Around $1,000 for one single client (dataplus)
Auch!!
 
Did you get a quote?
 

 
Kelloggs

Honestly, for a network that small you should never consider paying for VMware. Buy a single server that Hyper-V is supported on and run that. Hyper-v is free....VMware (with all the entitlements to backup API) costs money.