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Deepfake Detection With New Tool

Deepfake Detection With New Tool

Pindrop Expands Deepfake Detection with New Tool On Thursday, voice authentication vendor Pindrop expanded its deepfake detection capabilities with the preview release of Pindrop Pulse Inspect, a tool designed to detect AI-generated speech in digital audio files. This new tool builds on Pindrop’s earlier launch of Pindrop Pulse at the start of the year. While Pindrop Pulse initially targeted call centers, Pulse Inspect broadens its reach, catering to media organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, and social networks. Pindrop Pulse is already integrated with the company’s fraud protection and authentication platform. The new Pulse Inspect tool allows users to upload audio files to the Pindrop platform to determine if they contain synthetic speech, providing deepfake scores in the process. The introduction of Pulse Inspect is timely, coinciding with heightened concerns over deepfakes as the U.S. general election in November approaches. In recent months, Pindrop has tested its technology on high-profile cases. The company analyzed a deepfake audio clip of presidential candidate Kamala Harris, posted on X by Elon Musk, and discovered partial deepfakes in the audio. Pindrop also examined a deepfake of Elon Musk, released on July 24, identifying voice cloning technology from vendor ElevenLabs as the source. Additionally, Pindrop detected a fake robocall, generated using ElevenLabs’ technology, impersonating President Joe Biden before the January Democratic presidential primary. ElevenLabs has publicly stated its commitment to preventing the misuse of audio AI tools. “The human ear can no longer reliably distinguish between real and synthetically generated audio,” said Rahul Sood, Pindrop’s Chief Product Officer, during a discussion on the risks deepfakes pose for the upcoming election. “It’s almost impossible to have a high level of confidence without assistance.” Fighting AI with AI Analysts emphasize the necessity of tools like Pulse Inspect in the age of generative AI. “They’re fighting AI with AI,” said Lisa Martin, an analyst at the Futurum Group, highlighting the importance of Pindrop’s technology. According to Pindrop, their detection technology is trained on over 350 deepfake generation tools, 20 million unique utterances, and more than 40 languages. “We know how powerful generative AI is—it can be used for good, but it can also be weaponized, as we’re seeing,” Martin noted. She added that with the increasing ease of creating deepfakes, the demand for detection tools like Pulse Inspect will only grow. As deepfakes continue to proliferate, companies like Pindrop and competitors such as Resemble AI are racing to develop these detection solutions. With Pulse Inspect, Pindrop is extending its technology’s application beyond call centers. Pindrop has also partnered with Respeecher, a voice cloning vendor that collaborates with Hollywood. “Respeecher is working with Pindrop to ensure their synthetic voice technology for Hollywood is not misused,” said Martin, stressing the importance of ethical development and use of AI voice cloning technology. Pulse Inspect is positioned to assist media companies, social media networks, nonprofits, and government organizations in navigating the challenges of AI-generated audio. The Challenge of Scaling Deepfake Detection While Pindrop is well-equipped to detect deepfakes, scaling this technology could be costly and complex, according to Forrester Research analyst Mo Allibhai. “Implementing this technology at scale is expensive, even from an integration standpoint,” said Allibhai. “We need to be selective in how we deploy it.” Allibhai suggested that edge AI, such as Apple’s upcoming generative AI system for iPhones, could ease these challenges by reducing the reliance on cloud computing, making solutions like Pulse Inspect more viable in the long term. Pindrop Pulse Inspect offers an API-driven batch-processing platform and user interface, designed to meet the evolving needs of organizations facing the growing threat of deepfake audio. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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Copilots in the Workplace

Copilots in the Workplace

The Rise of AI-Powered Copilots in the Workplace: The New Age of Office Helpers As more businesses embrace AI tools, the tech world is buzzing with a new kind of office assistant: the AI-powered copilot. These digital sidekicks are here to revolutionize how we interact with information—think of them as the high-tech, caffeine-free version of your office buddy who always knows where the stapler is. Copilots in the Workplace are here. AI-powered copilots use large language models (LLMs) to help users wade through vast amounts of data, often with the grace of a caffeinated librarian. By facilitating conversations instead of requiring precise queries, these tools let you ask for help without needing to channel your inner tech wizard. Hugo Sarrazin, Chief Product and Technology Officer at UKG, points out that many of these AI copilots are essentially “search functions dressed up in a snazzy new outfit.” UKG’s own digital assistant, UKG Bryte, made its debut last November—just in time to help you find out why your vacation request hasn’t been approved yet. These AI assistants offer an enhanced chatbot experience by understanding a wide range of queries through generative AI. Imagine asking your chatbot, “Hey, what’s the deadline for open enrollment?” and getting a response that doesn’t involve translating your question into a techie dialect. “Generative AI isn’t stuck on keywords and rigid queries. It’s like a magic eight ball with a PhD,” Sarrazin explains. Traditional systems often force users through pre-set menus and workflows—kind of like a bureaucratic maze—but copilots let you skip the detours and get straight to the point. With AI copilots, you can ask in plain language and receive useful answers without needing to consult a human. Picture this: an HR chatbot that knows exactly what the per diem is for your conference, or which days you’re free for the next company holiday—like having a personal assistant who never needs a coffee break. Salesforce employees, for instance, are getting a taste of this futuristic help with their Einstein copilot. Since the introduction of Einstein, Salesforce has seen an uptick in productivity and a drop in mundane tasks. Nathalie Scardino, Salesforce’s Chief People Officer, says the company has been working to seamlessly integrate AI tools into daily workflows—because nothing says “we care” like a virtual assistant who understands your workload better than you do. After Salesforce acquired Slack in 2020, the Einstein-powered Slack app launched in February. This tool helps with scheduling, document summarization, and general inquiries, effectively turning your to-do list into a “done” list. Research showed that desk workers spend 41% of their time on tasks that aren’t exactly rocket science, and Einstein is here to tackle those chores. Scardino and Salesforce’s CIO, Juan Perez, have been busy ensuring that AI tools fit perfectly into the company’s workflow. Einstein is also making waves in HR by integrating with Basecamp, Salesforce’s hub for employee info. This integration has answered over 88,000 queries and cut resolution times from two days to just 30 minutes—making it the office hero you didn’t know you needed. “The big win here is bringing all those disparate systems together and making information accessible without needing a PhD,” Scardino quips. “No more hopping between six systems just to find out about your healthcare benefits.” In this brave new world of AI-assisted work, copilots like Einstein are proving that getting the right information quickly is no longer a sci-fi dream. They’re here to make our office lives smoother, smarter, and a little less dependent on those old-fashioned human helpers. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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GitHub Copilot Autofix

GitHub Copilot Autofix

On Wednesday, GitHub announced the general availability of Copilot Autofix, an AI-driven tool designed to identify and remediate software vulnerabilities. Originally unveiled in March and tested in public beta, Copilot Autofix integrates GitHub’s CodeQL scanning engine with GPT-4, heuristics, and Copilot APIs to generate code suggestions for developers. The tool provides prompts based on CodeQL analysis and code snippets, allowing users to accept, edit, or reject the suggestions. In a blog post, Mike Hanley, GitHub’s Chief Security Officer and Senior Vice President of Engineering, highlighted the challenges developers and security teams face in addressing existing vulnerabilities. “Code scanning tools can find vulnerabilities, but the real issue is remediation, which requires security expertise and time—both of which are in short supply,” Hanley noted. “The problem isn’t finding vulnerabilities; it’s fixing them.” According to GitHub, the private beta of Copilot Autofix showed that users could respond to a CodeQL alert and automatically remediate a vulnerability in a pull request in just 28 minutes on average, compared to 90 minutes for manual remediation. The tool was even faster for common vulnerabilities like cross-site scripting, with remediation times averaging 22 minutes compared to three hours manually, and SQL injection flaws, which were fixed in 18 minutes on average versus almost four hours manually. Hanley likened the efficiency of Copilot Autofix in fixing vulnerabilities to the speed at which GitHub Copilot, their generative AI coding assistant released in 2022, produces code for developers. However, there have been concerns that GitHub Copilot and similar AI coding assistants could replicate existing vulnerabilities in the codebases they help generate. Industry analyst Katie Norton from IDC noted that while the replication of vulnerabilities is concerning, the rapid pace at which AI coding assistants generate new software could pose a more significant security issue. Chris Wysopal, CTO and co-founder of Veracode, echoed this concern, pointing out that faster coding speeds have led to more software being produced and a larger backlog of vulnerabilities for developers to manage. Norton also emphasized that AI-powered tools like Copilot Autofix could help alleviate the burden on developers by reducing these backlogs and enabling them to fix vulnerabilities without needing to be security experts. Other vendors, including Mobb and Snyk, have also developed AI-powered autoremediation tools. Initially supporting JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, and Python during its public beta, Copilot Autofix now also supports C#, C/C++, Go, Kotlin, Swift, and Ruby. Hanley also highlighted that Copilot Autofix would benefit the open-source software community. GitHub has previously provided open-source maintainers with free access to enterprise security tools for code scanning, secret scanning, and dependency management. Starting in September, Copilot Autofix will also be made available for free to these maintainers. “As the global home of the open-source community, GitHub is uniquely positioned to help maintainers detect and remediate vulnerabilities, making open-source software safer and more reliable for everyone,” Hanley said. Copilot Autofix is now available to all GitHub customers globally. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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When The Customers Prefer Self-Service

When The Customers Prefer Self-Service

Assistance is crucial for complex issues, but for simpler problems, customers typically prefer the convenience of self-service tools like account portals, FAQs, and chatbots. This preference is especially strong among digital natives, such as millennials and Gen Z. However, deploying self-service tools requires careful planning. For instance, over two-thirds of customers abandon a company’s chatbot after a single negative experience, underscoring the importance of a positive initial interaction. Statistics show that 72% of customers use self-service portals, and 55% engage with self-service chatbots. The willingness of nearly half of all customers, including 60% of millennials, to pay more for superior customer service highlights the importance of customer experience in an era of price sensitivity. Customers expect instant responses, creating a scalability challenge for service teams but also an opportunity to offer premium service. Instant responses can set a company apart, as even well-regarded brands often struggle to maintain quick and seamless connections between customers and agents. Self-service platforms must be easily adjustable, not only to address areas needing improvement but also to adapt to changing market demands. Customers now expect proactive service rather than the traditional reactive approach. Despite this, customer service is often perceived as reactive. The time and effort customers spend resolving service issues are significant, especially when service teams are inconsistently trained and equipped, leading to a perception that quality service is a matter of luck. Consistency across channels, devices, and departments is highly valued but often lacking. Many customers find themselves repeating information to different representatives, indicating a fragmented information environment. Poorly integrated technology and processes leave 55% of customers feeling as if they interact with separate departments rather than a unified company. Disconnected experiences are a major source of frustration. Prompt resolution of issues is a top priority for customers, and many find it quicker to search for answers themselves than to contact the company. Self-service not only facilitates quick problem-solving but also empowers customers to address issues at their own pace and learn as much or as little as they wish. In terms of preferences, over 67% of customers prefer some form of self-service over speaking with a representative. Additionally, 73% prefer using the company’s website for support rather than relying on social media, SMS, or live chat apps. Don’t always assume the “latest and greatest” solutions available are the best solutions for your customers. A self-service strategy involves providing customers with tools to resolve their needs independently, reducing the need for representative assistance. Reduce staffing needs and increase speed to answers for customers. Its a win win. However, implementing self-service can face challenges, such as confusing navigation, lack of ongoing attention, inflexibility, failure to incorporate feedback, constraints on users, extra work, lack of human interaction, difficulty in personalization, and the need for continuous analysis and monitoring. Successful self-service integration requires addressing these factors to meet customer expectations. Contact Tectonic for assistance bringing your self-service solutions to your customers. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more Top Ten Reasons Why Tectonic Loves the Cloud The Cloud is Good for Everyone – Why Tectonic loves the cloud You don’t need to worry about tracking licenses. Read more

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Qwary Salesforce Integration

Qwary Salesforce Integration

Qwary Enhances Customer Insights with New Salesforce Integration HERNDON, Va., Aug. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — While surveys have long been a staple for gathering customer feedback, data entry often poses a challenge in obtaining comprehensive insights. Qwary’s new Salesforce integration aims to resolve this issue by enabling seamless data transfer and synchronization between the two platforms. This integration allows teams to consolidate customer information into a single hub, providing real-time visibility and enhancing strategic planning and collaboration. Key features include creating email campaigns, importing contacts, mapping survey results, and automating event-based workflows. What Is Qwary’s Salesforce Integration? Qwary’s Salesforce integration is designed to streamline the analysis of Salesforce survey data, offering a more efficient way to understand customer interactions with your brand. By integrating survey feedback with CRM data, this tool helps you quickly adapt your products and services to meet evolving customer needs. It tracks customer journeys, collects feedback, and reveals pain points, enabling you to deliver tailored solutions. Benefits of Using Qwary’s Salesforce Integration Qwary’s integration offers several notable benefits: Automate Feedback Collection The integration automates the feedback collection process by triggering surveys at strategic points in the customer lifecycle. This allows your team to act swiftly to foster engagement and generate leads. Gain Actionable Insights Seamlessly integrating with Salesforce CRM, Qwary scores, analyzes, and enriches customer data, helping your team identify emerging trends and seize opportunities for personalization and customer development. Synchronize Data Automatically With Qwary’s integration, your contact data is consolidated into a single, reliable source of truth. Whether you’re using Salesforce or Qwary, automated data synchronization ensures consistency and provides real-time updates. Collaborate Effectively The integration promotes effective teamwork by sharing data between Salesforce and Qwary, enabling your team to solve problems collaboratively and refine strategies to boost customer retention. Key Capabilities Qwary’s Salesforce integration excels in managing customer feedback, automating workflows, and consolidating contact data: Salesforce Workflow Automation The integration simplifies scheduling and automating survey triggers, eliminating manual processes. Surveys can be initiated via email or following significant events, with responses seamlessly mapped into Salesforce. This creates a comprehensive view of customer behavior, helping your team act on insights, strengthen connections, and enhance satisfaction. Contact Data Importation Qwary facilitates quick access to Salesforce contacts, providing a holistic view of your customer base. The integration streamlines contact data importation and updates, eliminating manual data entry and speeding up data management. Potential Business Impacts By combining automation, synchronization, and data consolidation with a user-friendly interface, Qwary’s Salesforce integration enhances your sales team’s ability to collect and leverage customer feedback. Immediate access to comprehensive consumer insights allows your business to respond promptly to customer needs, improving satisfaction and loyalty. Real-time data aggregation helps your company adapt quickly and refine offerings to exceed customer expectations. Stay Ahead with Qwary’s Salesforce Integration Qwary continuously updates its solutions to meet the evolving needs of businesses focused on customer engagement. Leveraging automation, synchronization, and advanced analytics through an accessible platform, Qwary’s Salesforce integration empowers your team to enhance offerings and connect with customers efficiently. By optimizing the use of survey data and Salesforce feedback, Qwary keeps your business at the forefront of market trends, enabling you to consistently delight your customers. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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Impact on Salesforce Org During Maintenance

Impact on Salesforce Org During Maintenance

Salesforce Maintenance and Instance Refresh FAQs In addition to the three major releases each year, Salesforce continuously enhances our application infrastructure to better serve our customers. Impact on Salesforce Org During Maintenance. We post scheduled maintenance details on trust.salesforce.com, which provides a forward 12-month view. To minimize the impact of maintenance windows, we have implemented read-only capabilities, allowing customers to view their data even during maintenance. Here are some frequently asked questions about how Salesforce maintenance might affect your org. Please note that actions may be required on your part. Frequently Asked Questions Impact on Salesforce Org During Maintenance Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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Everyone Is Implementing AI

Everyone Is Implementing AI

AI is undoubtedly a generational change in software, with its full trajectory still unpredictable. There is a perceived divide between the “Haves” and “Have Nots.” Companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Databricks are seen as understanding AI’s potential, with Nvidia providing the necessary hardware support. Many hot start-ups are Gen AI native, continuing to attract unicorn valuations. Meanwhile, several SaaS leaders appear to be lagging behind. We say, Everyone Is Implementing AI. Marc Benioff stated in their latest quarterly call: “Now, we’re working with thousands of customers to power generative AI use cases with our Einstein Copilot, our prompt builder, our Einstein Studio, all of which went live in the first quarter. And we’ve closed hundreds of copilot deals since this incredible technology has gone GA. And in just the last few months, we’re seeing Einstein Copilot develop higher levels of capability. We are absolutely delighted and cannot be more excited about the success that we’re seeing with our customers with this great new capability.” Everyone Is Implementing AI However, it remains unclear whether simply adding AI to classic B2B SaaS products accelerates growth. Despite significant investments in AI, companies like Salesforce, Asana, and ZoomInfo are growing at less than 10% annually. The main point is that while “AI Washing” might impress some investors, AI must significantly accelerate revenue growth to achieve more than market parity. It is essential to see how AI can add real value and integrate it effectively. But AI alone may not be a growth accelerant. Everyone Is Implementing AI Recent data from Emergence Capital shows that 60% of VC-backed SaaS companies have already released GenAI features, with another 24% planning to do so. Achieving “AI Parity” is crucial, but simply adding GenAI features may not be disruptive in the B2B space. Companies must go further to stand out, despite the challenges. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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Salesforce and AdvoLogix

SUGAR LAND, Texas, Aug. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — AdvoLogix, a leader in legal technology, is excited to announce its groundbreaking Legal Assistant AI, a comprehensive suite of AI tools designed specifically for the legal industry. Law firms face mounting pressure to deliver exceptional client service while managing rising costs and complexities. This innovative solution seamlessly integrates with Salesforce, automating tasks and leveraging the power of AI to streamline law firm operations while ensuring security with its Trust and Safety Layer. Our AI’s Trust and Safety Layer, ensures that law firms can trust our technology to protect sensitive information. AdvoLogix Legal Assistant AI significantly enhances daily workflows with advanced capabilities such as document automation, financial management, client and matter intake, case management, and workflow optimization. Customizable based on unique data sets, these AI agents can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any legal organization. For example, law firms can create AI agents to address the nuanced requirements of particular clients or specialized areas of practice. The AI’s Trust and Safety Layer ensures secure data retrieval, grounding, prompt defense, and compliance, providing law firms with the confidence that their sensitive information is protected. By embedding these tools directly into the Salesforce platform, AdvoLogix delivers a powerful, integrated solution that leverages the power of AI in the context of daily law firm operations. Leveraging SALI Tags for Enhanced Data Management One of the standout features of the AdvoLogix Legal Assistant AI is its integration with the SALI (Standards Advancement for the Legal Industry) taxonomy. By leveraging Salesforce workflows, attorneys can quickly and accurately tag matters with SALI tags, enabling data-driven insights and improved matter management. This seamless integration ensures that valuable data is captured and utilized effectively to inform strategic decisions. Customizable AI Models for Tailored Legal Support AdvoLogix offers fine-tuned AI models specifically trained for legal activities. These models can be easily integrated into Salesforce workflows to automate tasks such as record and document retrieval, document summarization, and system data queries. Additionally, these AI models have the capability to ask and receive answers to general or specific legal questions on any topic, all from the perspective of an attorney. By leveraging the power of AI within the familiar Salesforce environment, legal professionals can focus on higher-value activities while the AI handles routine tasks. Some features are currently available in controlled release. A Commitment to Security and Accuracy “By embedding our AI capabilities into Salesforce workflows, we’ve developed a robust solution that allows legal professionals to benefit from AI services that are safe and highly efficient during normal work activities. Our AI’s Trust and Safety Layer, featuring secure data retrieval, grounding, prompt defense, and more, ensures that law firms can trust our technology to protect sensitive information. This focus on security, accuracy, and compliance is crucial for modern legal practices,” said Jonathan Reed, CEO of AdvoLogix. Experience the Future of Legal AI at ILTACON 2024 Visit AdvoLogix at Booth #346 to see live demonstrations of our Legal Assistant AI capabilities and discover how they can transform your firm’s operational efficiency. Our experts will be available to answer your questions and provide tailored insights into how our AI solutions can enhance your legal workflows and financial management. About AdvoLogix Founded in 2006, AdvoLogix is a premier provider of AI-driven technology solutions, helping businesses in the legal technology sector and beyond streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve productivity. With a broad range of native integrations that seamlessly integrate with Salesforce, AdvoLogix delivers measurable gains in productivity and efficiency. For more information, visit www.advologix.com and follow AdvoLogix on LinkedIn @AdvoLogix. Media Contact:Marketing [email protected] Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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Salesforce Text Messaging

Salesforce Text Messaging

Salesforce Text Messaging: Boost Customer Engagement Directly from Your CRM In this insight, we’ll explore why Salesforce SMS is a powerful tool for your business, how to make your SMS campaigns stand out, and how to send messages through Salesforce with minimal technical complexity. Salesforce Text Messaging. What is Salesforce Text Messaging? Salesforce SMS is a feature that enables users to send SMS messages directly from Salesforce. By integrating SMS with Salesforce, businesses can communicate efficiently with their customers, enhancing engagement and streamlining operations. Benefits and Use Cases of Salesforce SMS Effective customer engagement is crucial for every business, and Salesforce SMS offers an efficient way to connect with your audience. Here are some of the top advantages: 1. Enhanced Customer Engagement SMS boasts a 99% open rate, making it one of the most effective communication channels. Salesforce SMS helps businesses: 2. Real-Time Communication Timely communication is essential in customer service. Salesforce SMS enables businesses to send relevant, real-time information such as: 3. Automation and Efficiency Salesforce SMS allows for automated messaging, saving time and reducing errors. Benefits include: 4. Personalized SMS Messaging Leverage customer data in Salesforce to create personalized, targeted messages that resonate with recipients. Use Salesforce SMS to: 5. Employee Ease of Use Integrating SMS into Salesforce means employees can manage communication through a familiar platform. Benefits include: Additional Advantages of SMS in Salesforce Best Practices for Salesforce SMS Campaigns To ensure successful SMS campaigns, follow these best practices: 1. Obtain Explicit Consent It’s important to get clear consent from customers before sending SMS messages. This builds trust and ensures compliance with regulations like TCPA in the U.S. and GDPR in the EU. 2. Make Opt-in Easy Simplify the process for customers to opt-in and clarify the types and frequency of messages they will receive. 3. Provide Opt-out Options Make it easy for customers to unsubscribe at any time to maintain trust. 4. Use Clear Calls to Action (CTA) Each SMS should guide the recipient on what to do next, using actionable language such as “Click here” or “Buy now” to prompt immediate responses. 5. Monitor and Analyze Performance Regularly assess the success of your campaigns by tracking key metrics like open rates and opt-outs. Use A/B testing to optimize performance and customer feedback to refine your approach. LINK Mobility Integration with Salesforce SMS LINK Mobility‘s SMS integration (one Salesforce SMS tool) enhances your Salesforce SMS campaigns with powerful features: Enhance Customer Engagement and Efficiency with Salesforce SMS Salesforce SMS enables businesses to engage customers in real-time, enhancing relationships and operational efficiency. Whether sending order updates, appointment reminders, or personalized promotions, Salesforce SMS creates a strong foundation for meaningful communication with your customer base. Need help with Salesforce SMS? If you’re looking for assistance in configuring SMS within Salesforce or need expert guidance, Tectonic is here to help you maximize the benefits of SMS integration for your business. Contact us today. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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AI Strategy and Tectonic

AI Strategy and Tectonic

AI Strategy and Tectonic Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have showcased the immense potential of this technology to transform both business and society. However, as organizations scale AI systems, they must ensure these systems are structured and governed responsibly to prevent bias and errors. The widespread use of AI can have significant implications, and without proper safeguards, businesses risk costly outcomes. As your organization leverages diverse datasets to apply machine learning and automate workflows, it’s critical to implement strong guardrails to maintain data quality, ensure compliance, and promote transparency within AI systems. Tectonic is here to help you implement AI responsibly, focusing on areas where it can quickly and ethically deliver real business benefits. Our comprehensive portfolio of enterprise-grade AI products and analytics solutions is designed to minimize the challenges of AI adoption, establish a solid data foundation, and optimize for positive outcomes while ensuring responsible AI use. Global enterprises turn to Tectonic as a trusted partner in their AI transformation journeys. As a leading AI consulting firm, we enhance the value of AI and cloud technologies in driving business transformation. By working with our own advanced AI technologies and an open ecosystem of partners, we deliver AI models on any cloud, all guided by the principles of ethics and trust. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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AI Adoption Rates

AI Adoption Rates

Businesses Eager to Embrace AI, Yet Concerned About Trust, Data, and Ethics in AI Adoption Rates As AI adoption rates are projected to surge, only 10% of people currently have full trust in AI for making informed decisions. According to Salesforce’s latest research, nearly half of customer service teams, over 40% of salespeople, and a third of marketers have fully integrated AI to enhance their work. However, 77% of business leaders express concerns about trusted data and ethics that could potentially stall their AI initiatives. The “Trends in AI for CRM” report highlights that companies fear missing out on the benefits of generative AI if the data supporting large language models (LLMs) is not based on their own reliable customer records. Additionally, respondents are worried about the lack of clear company policies governing the ethical use of AI and the complex landscape of LLM vendors, with 80% of companies currently using multiple models. Data Trust Issues Stymie AI Progress Despite expectations for a dramatic increase in AI adoption, only 10% of individuals fully trust AI to make informed decisions. The report reveals that 59% of organizations lack unified data strategies essential for ensuring AI reliability and accuracy. While 80% of employees using AI at work report increased productivity—a key driver for rapid AI adoption—only 21% of surveyed workers said their company has established clear policies on approved AI tools and use cases. Many employees, undeterred by the absence of formal policies, continue to use unapproved (55%) or explicitly banned (40%) tools. Furthermore, 69% of respondents noted that their employers have not provided training on AI usage. Critical Focus Areas: Trust, Data Security, and Transparency The report also underscores that 74% of the general public is concerned about the unethical use of AI. Companies that emphasize end-user control are better positioned to build customer trust in their AI strategies, with 56% of survey respondents expressing openness to AI under these conditions. Key factors for deepening trust in AI include increased visibility into AI use, human validation of outputs, and enhanced user control. “This is a pivotal moment as business leaders across various industries look to AI to drive growth, efficiency, and customer loyalty,” said Clara Shih, CEO of Salesforce AI. “Success with AI requires more than just deploying LLMs. It demands trusted data, user access control, vector search capabilities, audit trails, citations, data masking, low-code builders, and seamless UI integration to truly succeed,” Shih added. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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APIs and Software Development

APIs and Software Development

The Role of APIs in Modern Software Development APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are central to modern software development, enabling teams to integrate external features into their products, including advanced third-party AI systems. For instance, you can use an API to allow users to generate 3D models from prompts on MatchboxXR. The Rise of AI-Powered Applications Many startups focus exclusively on AI, but often they are essentially wrappers around existing technologies like ChatGPT. These applications provide specialized user interfaces for interacting with OpenAI’s GPT models rather than developing new AI from scratch. Some branding might make it seem like they’re creating groundbreaking technology, when in reality, they’re leveraging pre-built AI solutions. Solopreneur-Driven Wrappers Large Language Models (LLMs) enable individuals and small teams to create lightweight apps and websites with AI features quickly. A quick search on Reddit reveals numerous small-scale startups offering: Such features can often be built using ChatGPT or Gemini within minutes for free. Well-Funded Ventures Larger operations invest heavily in polished platforms but may allocate significant budgets to marketing and design. This raises questions about whether these ventures are also just sophisticated wrappers. Examples include: While these products offer interesting functionalities, they often rely on APIs to interact with LLMs, which brings its own set of challenges. The Impact of AI-First, API-Second Approaches Design Considerations Looking Ahead Developer Experience: As AI technologies like LLMs become mainstream, focusing on developer experience (DevEx) will be crucial. Good DevEx involves well-structured schemas, flexible functions, up-to-date documentation, and ample testing data. Future Trends: The future of AI will likely involve more integrations. Imagine: AI is powerful, but the real innovation lies in integrating hardware, data, and interactions effectively. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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Licensing and Permitting with Salesforce Public Sector Solutions

Licensing and Permitting with Salesforce Public Sector Solutions

Licensing, Permitting, and Inspections Inspections are a crucial part of the licensing and permitting process, whether they involve a new home, a business seeking to open, or a follow-up based on a public complaint. Licensing and Permitting with Salesforce Public Sector Solutions aids in the critical steps in the process. Inspections can also be used independently for other assessments related to regulatory requirements, safety, and auditing. Assignments Inspections can be assigned with just a few clicks. The application reviewer or inspection dispatcher can quickly designate an inspector and schedule the visit. Mobile Inspections Public Sector Mobile Inspection automatically notifies inspectors of their daily visit plans on their mobile devices. Inspectors can use filters to view other days or prioritize tasks based on urgency and status. Inspector Checklists Configurable inspection checklists help ensure that inspectors don’t miss any steps during their onsite visits, enhancing community safety and reducing the need for follow-up inspections. Assessment Indicators Inspectors document compliance or violations against regulatory codes using configurable fields. They can also upload files, videos, or pictures from their mobile devices to support their assessments. Regulatory Codes Inspectors can easily reference relevant regulatory codes to verify their assessments, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Digital Signatures Digital signatures are captured on-site, eliminating the need for additional paperwork and streamlining the inspection process. No more emails, stamps, or standing in line. Enforcement Compliance officers can follow up on violations and create enforcement actions to ensure that stakeholders address any oustanding issues. Unified View Government agencies can access a unified 360 degree view of all relevant information in one place, enabling them to track resolution progress and assess final compliance. Experience Portal Throughout the process, stakeholders can stay informed about the status of their inspection and communicate with agency employees to ask questions or provide updates. Salesforce Experience Cloud provides an easy to apply solution to a constituent portal. Licensing and Permitting with Salesforce Public Sector Solutions With Salesforce Licensing and Permitting you can download and install process libraries that contain components for automating licensing and permitting workflows saving more time.  Public Sector Solutions provides OmniScript flows and components that automate these licensing and permitting workflows. Some components are available directly in Public Sector Solutions; others are not built-in and require that you download them from GitHub. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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AI All Grown Up

Generative AI Tools

One of the most significant use cases for generative AI in business is customer service and support. Most of us have likely experienced the frustration of dealing with traditional automated systems. However, today’s advanced AI, powered by large language models and natural language chatbots, is rapidly improving these interactions. While many still prefer human agents for complex or sensitive issues, AI is proving highly capable of handling routine inquiries efficiently. Here’s an overview of some of the top AI-powered tools for automating customer service. Although the human element will always be essential in customer experience, these tools free up human agents from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex challenges requiring empathy and creativity. Cognigy Cognigy is an AI platform designed to automate customer service voice and chat channels. It goes beyond simply reading FAQ responses by delivering personalized, context-sensitive answers in multiple languages. Cognigy’s AI Copilot feature enhances human contact center workers by offering real-time AI assistance during interactions, making both fully automated and human-augmented support possible. IBM WatsonX Assistant IBM’s WatsonX Assistant helps businesses create AI-powered personal assistants to streamline tasks, including customer support. With its drag-and-drop configuration, companies can set up seamless self-service experiences. The platform uses retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to ensure that responses are accurate and up-to-date, continuously improving as it learns from customer interactions. Salesforce Einstein Service Cloud Einstein Service Cloud, part of the Salesforce platform, automates routine and complex customer service tasks. Its AI-powered Agentforce bots manage “low-touch” interactions, while “high-touch” cases are overseen by human agents supported by AI. Fully customizable, Einstein ensures that responses align with your brand’s tone and voice, all while leveraging enterprise data securely. Zendesk AI Zendesk, a leader in customer support, integrates generative AI to boost its service offerings. By using machine learning and natural language processing, Zendesk understands customer sentiment and intent, generates personalized responses, and automatically routes inquiries to the most suitable agent—be it human or machine. It also provides human agents with real-time guidance on resolving issues efficiently. Ada Ada is a conversational AI platform built for large-scale customer service automation. Its no-code interface allows businesses to create custom bots, reducing the cost of handling inquiries by up to 78% per ticket. By integrating domain-specific data, Ada helps improve both support efficiency and customer experience across omnichannel support environments. More AI Tools for Customer Service There are numerous other AI tools designed to enhance automated customer support: While AI tools are transforming customer service, the key lies in using them to complement human agents, allowing for a balance of efficiency and personalized care. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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Small Language Models

Small Language Models

Large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT-4 have gained acclaim for their versatility across various tasks, but they come with significant resource demands. In response, the AI industry is shifting focus towards smaller, task-specific models designed to be more efficient. Microsoft, alongside other tech giants, is investing in these smaller models. Science often involves breaking complex systems down into their simplest forms to understand their behavior. This reductionist approach is now being applied to AI, with the goal of creating smaller models tailored for specific functions. Sébastien Bubeck, Microsoft’s VP of generative AI, highlights this trend: “You have this miraculous object, but what exactly was needed for this miracle to happen; what are the basic ingredients that are necessary?” In recent years, the proliferation of LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude has been remarkable. However, smaller language models (SLMs) are gaining traction as a more resource-efficient alternative. Despite their smaller size, SLMs promise substantial benefits to businesses. Microsoft introduced Phi-1 in June last year, a smaller model aimed at aiding Python coding. This was followed by Phi-2 and Phi-3, which, though larger than Phi-1, are still much smaller than leading LLMs. For comparison, Phi-3-medium has 14 billion parameters, while GPT-4 is estimated to have 1.76 trillion parameters—about 125 times more. Microsoft touts the Phi-3 models as “the most capable and cost-effective small language models available.” Microsoft’s shift towards SLMs reflects a belief that the dominance of a few large models will give way to a more diverse ecosystem of smaller, specialized models. For instance, an SLM designed specifically for analyzing consumer behavior might be more effective for targeted advertising than a broad, general-purpose model trained on the entire internet. SLMs excel in their focused training on specific domains. “The whole fine-tuning process … is highly specialized for specific use-cases,” explains Silvio Savarese, Chief Scientist at Salesforce, another company advancing SLMs. To illustrate, using a specialized screwdriver for a home repair project is more practical than a multifunction tool that’s more expensive and less focused. This trend towards SLMs reflects a broader shift in the AI industry from hype to practical application. As Brian Yamada of VLM notes, “As we move into the operationalization phase of this AI era, small will be the new big.” Smaller, specialized models or combinations of models will address specific needs, saving time and resources. Some voices express concern over the dominance of a few large models, with figures like Jack Dorsey advocating for a diverse marketplace of algorithms. Philippe Krakowski of IPG also worries that relying on the same models might stifle creativity. SLMs offer the advantage of lower costs, both in development and operation. Microsoft’s Bubeck emphasizes that SLMs are “several orders of magnitude cheaper” than larger models. Typically, SLMs operate with around three to four billion parameters, making them feasible for deployment on devices like smartphones. However, smaller models come with trade-offs. Fewer parameters mean reduced capabilities. “You have to find the right balance between the intelligence that you need versus the cost,” Bubeck acknowledges. Salesforce’s Savarese views SLMs as a step towards a new form of AI, characterized by “agents” capable of performing specific tasks and executing plans autonomously. This vision of AI agents goes beyond today’s chatbots, which can generate travel itineraries but not take action on your behalf. Salesforce recently introduced a 1 billion-parameter SLM that reportedly outperforms some LLMs on targeted tasks. Salesforce CEO Mark Benioff celebrated this advancement, proclaiming, “On-device agentic AI is here!” Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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