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Salesforce’s tailored solutions for the high-tech sector, paired with Tectonic’s expertise, can help your business keep pace with innovation and stay ahead of the competition. From integrating cutting-edge tools to optimizing workflows, we provide the strategic insights and technical know-how you need to succeed.
The rise of AI-powered solutions is transforming customer service, support, and automation. For organizations such as nonprofits, national associations, and large enterprises, delivering seamless customer experiences has become crucial. Salesforce’s Agentforce, a next-generation conversational AI tool, plays a vital role in this transformation. Designed to elevate customer support and interaction, Agentforce provides an intelligent and scalable solution for integrating AI chatbots into content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Drupal, and HubSpot. Salesforce Agentforce Integration. In this detailed feature review, we will dive into the extensive capabilities of Salesforce Agentforce, analyzing its role as a conversational tool, its technical requirements, and the benefits it provides for nonprofits, national associations, and businesses. We’ll also compare its applications across various CMS platforms like Drupal, WordPress, and HubSpot, exploring its potential as a powerful AI assistant for website automation and customer interaction. Salesforce Agentforce: A Technical Perspective Salesforce Agentforce is an advanced AI-driven conversational assistant that seamlessly integrates into the Salesforce environment. By tapping into Salesforce CRM’s vast data resources, Agentforce serves as an intelligent interface, automating everything from initial customer inquiries to more personalized interactions. Utilizing natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, it continually refines responses and scales interactions, making it an indispensable tool for organizations aiming to enhance customer service workflows. Agentforce integrates smoothly with Salesforce Service Cloud, automating both live chat support and chatbot responses. Additionally, it can connect with third-party platforms, including popular CMS solutions like WordPress, Drupal, and HubSpot, allowing organizations to centralize customer service operations in one interface. Core Features and Technical Architecture of Agentforce Natural Language Understanding (NLU) and Processing (NLP) Agentforce’s NLP capabilities are its backbone, allowing it to understand complex human language and respond contextually. This empowers it to manage initial inquiries as well as more sophisticated support requests. Agentforce’s NLU also enables it to work across different languages, dialects, and industry-specific terminology, making it particularly valuable for global organizations and national associations serving diverse audiences. Machine Learning for Continuous Improvement Agentforce’s machine learning feature enhances its ability to improve accuracy and understanding over time. Each interaction helps the chatbot evolve, making it more effective at delivering relevant, real-time responses. This model integrates directly with Salesforce’s data infrastructure, giving Agentforce access to historical data and interactions to offer highly personalized, context-aware answers. Deep Integration with Salesforce CRM As a Salesforce-native tool, Agentforce can harness CRM data in ways other AI tools cannot. By accessing customer histories, purchase data, and previous interactions, it creates personalized experiences that build customer trust. Nonprofits and associations can use this data to improve donor or member interactions, offering targeted support and outreach. Agentforce can also be tailored to retrieve specific datasets, such as an individual’s support history or ongoing service case updates. Cross-Platform Flexibility and API Integration Agentforce offers flexible APIs that enable integration with third-party systems, including CMS platforms like WordPress, Drupal, and HubSpot. This flexibility ensures that AI-powered chatbots can be deployed on organizational websites, providing a seamless experience for customers, donors, and members alike. Whether it’s a nonprofit using Drupal or a business on WordPress, Agentforce acts as the central hub for support and engagement, offering fluid interactions on top of your CMS. HubSpot users can further leverage Agentforce’s marketing features to align lead generation with personalized, chat-based interactions. Use Cases for Agentforce in Nonprofits, National Associations, and Businesses Nonprofit Organizations For nonprofits managing donor, volunteer, and beneficiary relationships, Agentforce offers scalable, automated support: National Associations National associations can use Agentforce to handle high volumes of inquiries from members and professionals: Businesses For service-based enterprises, Agentforce is essential for customer service: Salesforce Agentforce and CMS Integration: WordPress, Drupal, and HubSpot WordPress and Salesforce Agentforce Integration For WordPress users, Agentforce offers customizable chatbot widgets that enhance customer engagement, handle ecommerce inquiries, and integrate with WooCommerce for product support. Drupal and Agentforce Integration Drupal’s modular architecture allows Agentforce to automate membership management, provide multilingual support, and distribute content for nonprofits and associations. HubSpot and Agentforce Integration HubSpot users benefit from Agentforce’s ability to automate lead nurturing, sales and marketing workflows, and customer support, all while keeping HubSpot and Salesforce CRM data synchronized. Tectonic and Salesforce Agentforce Integration At Tectonic, we understand that adopting AI-powered solutions like Salesforce Agentforce is only the first step toward delivering exceptional customer experiences. We specialize in crafting, training, and implementing tailored AI chatbot solutions that enhance engagement, streamline processes, and drive growth, all while seamlessly integrating with your current website or mobile app. As a full-service digital strategy firm, Tectonic excels in integrating advanced tools like Salesforce Agentforce into platforms like WordPress, Drupal, and HubSpot, ensuring your automation strategies are executed with precision. From custom chatbot implementations to comprehensive digital strategy services, our team is dedicated to optimizing your website for engagement and lead generation. 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 Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
Currys Expands Partnership with Salesforce partner to Enhance Omnichannel Retail Experience UK-based technology retailer Currys has expanded its partnership with a Salesforce partner to transform its omnichannel customer experience. The collaboration focuses on leveraging Salesforce Service Cloud, Commerce Cloud, and MuleSoft to drive innovation and streamline operations. Key initiatives in this transformation include re-platforming Currys’ website to Salesforce Commerce Cloud, launching an in-store client app via Experience Cloud, and implementing Service Cloud for enhanced post-sales support. These upgrades aim to deliver a seamless shopping experience, improve customer service, and boost operational efficiency. Andy Gamble, CIO of Currys, emphasized the impact of the partnership: “Our collaboration with LTIMindtree has enabled our teams to deliver exceptional experiences for both colleagues and customers. With our new omnichannel platform, we are set to achieve greater operational efficiencies, faster service, and continuous innovation for future growth.” Since the partnership began in 2021, Currys and LTIMindtree have overhauled the retailer’s commerce and support systems, resulting in improved customer experiences, streamlined store operations, and increased employee satisfaction. The success of this collaboration was recently recognized with a Salesforce award, underscoring the companies’ commitment to innovation and addressing current business challenges while preparing for future advancements. Srinivas Rao, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer at LTIMindtree, added: “Our partnership with Currys showcases our expertise in the retail sector. Together, we have delivered a best-in-class omnichannel shopping experience that unlocks new growth opportunities by catering to each customer’s unique needs. We remain dedicated to helping our clients harness digital technologies that foster innovation and productivity.” This collaboration represents a key milestone for Currys, solidifying its commitment to providing enhanced customer experiences through advanced digital solutions. 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 Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
In a strategic move to enhance its AI capabilities, Salesforce has announced the acquisition of Zoomin, a leader in unstructured data management solutions. This acquisition, expected to finalize in the fourth quarter of Salesforce’s fiscal year 2025, aligns with the company’s mission to dominate the enterprise AI landscape through its Agentforce platform. The acquisition further highlights Salesforce’s commitment to advancing AI-driven customer experiences and operational efficiency. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, but Salesforce confirmed that it would not affect previous earnings guidance. Previously, in discussions around Service Cloud’s push for Unified Knowledge, there were concerns about relying on partners like Zoomin. This acquisition addresses those concerns by filling a critical gap in Salesforce’s product offerings and adding new functionalities to Data Cloud. Strengthening Data Cloud for AI Zoomin’s technology will enhance Salesforce’s Data Cloud by providing improved support for managing unstructured data—a cornerstone of modern AI systems. This is a critical step in Salesforce’s AI strategy, particularly for the Agentforce platform, as it enables more comprehensive, context-aware AI capabilities. Rahul Auradkar, Salesforce’s EVP & GM of Unified Data Services & Einstein, stressed the importance of this acquisition. “Unstructured data is the key to unlocking AI’s full potential in customer interactions,” Auradkar said. “With Zoomin’s technology, we’re not just improving data management—we’re revolutionizing how AI agents understand and use information to deliver personalized experiences.” The integration of Zoomin’s Unified Knowledge technology directly addresses a key challenge in AI: managing and understanding unstructured data to create smarter AI agents. By strengthening its data foundation, Salesforce is positioning itself to deliver more sophisticated AI applications across its platform. Agentforce: A New AI Frontier Salesforce’s recently launched Agentforce platform aims to revolutionize enterprise AI with autonomous AI agents capable of advanced decision-making and task automation. By incorporating Zoomin’s technology, Agentforce will gain the ability to process and utilize unstructured data more effectively, setting it apart from competitors like Microsoft’s Copilot, which often requires significant user input and prompt engineering. The enhanced Agentforce platform will deliver a host of benefits, from improved customer service automation to more accurate sales forecasting and personalized marketing campaigns. By tapping into unstructured data, Salesforce is paving the way for AI-driven insights and actions previously unattainable with traditional approaches. A Natural Progression from Partnership to Acquisition Zoomin’s relationship with Salesforce began in 2018 as an AppExchange partner, followed by an investment from Salesforce Ventures in 2019. This acquisition marks a natural progression in their partnership, promising a smooth integration into Salesforce’s ecosystem. Zoomin CEO Gal Oron shared his enthusiasm: “Joining forces with Salesforce is a natural next step for us. Our shared vision is to make AI truly intelligent by giving it access to the vast amount of unstructured data that exists in enterprises. Together, we’ll help businesses unlock the full potential of their data and AI investments.” Implications Across the Business Spectrum The integration of Zoomin’s technology is expected to have broad implications, especially in customer service, where AI agents can use unstructured data to deliver more personalized and efficient responses. Beyond customer service, this technology is poised to impact sales, marketing, and overall business operations, enabling deeper insights into customer behavior and more targeted campaigns. Kishan Chetan, EVP and GM of Salesforce Service Cloud, highlighted the potential: “With Unified Knowledge, we’re not just improving AI—we’re transforming how businesses understand and serve their customers. Imagine AI agents that can grasp the full context of a customer’s history, preferences, and needs in real time. That’s the power we’re unlocking.” A Strategic Response to the AI Arms Race Salesforce’s acquisition of Zoomin comes amid an increasingly competitive enterprise AI landscape. By bolstering its embedded AI capabilities through strategic acquisitions, Salesforce is solidifying its position as a leader in enterprise AI, while addressing key challenges faced by rivals like Microsoft and Google. Zoomin’s expertise in processing large volumes of technical content and generating insights based on user behavior will be instrumental in helping Salesforce deliver cutting-edge, AI-driven solutions. These advancements will improve everything from customer service to digital transformation initiatives across industries. With this acquisition, Salesforce continues to push the boundaries of AI innovation, cementing its leadership in the rapidly evolving enterprise AI market. 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 Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
Navigating the AI-Powered Contact Center Landscape: A Roadmap for Success With thousands of solutions in the contact center ecosystem, each claiming to offer “AI-powered, next-generation technology,” it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Many of these claims are valid, as AI and machine learning are transforming contact centers and improving customer experiences. But with so many options and combinations of AI-powered solutions, how can you be sure you’re making the right decision? The answer is that it’s almost impossible without help. Trying to research and evaluate every solution on your own could take months or even years—by which time, the technology will have evolved. Plus, if you rely solely on information from manufacturers or software providers, you may only get a one-sided perspective that leads to “CCaaS FOMO” (Fear of Missing Out). A More Objective Approach to the Contact Center Journey While we can’t claim to be 100% unbiased, we take a unique approach. We start with your business, understanding your specific needs, culture, and processes before introducing solutions that fit. Not every top-rated solution is right for your business, and the roadmap below outlines how we help you navigate this complex landscape. 1. Involving Key Stakeholders The first step is ensuring you have the right people involved—those with a vested interest in the contact center‘s success. It’s helpful to break these roles into three categories: Having clear roles and expectations helps streamline the process and ensures everyone is on the same page. 2. Conducting a Contact Center Assessment This discovery phase is crucial for identifying the key drivers behind your business needs. Each contact center is different, even within the same industry. That’s why a one-size-fits-all scorecard won’t work. It’s beneficial to bring in a third-party consultant with broad industry knowledge to conduct an assessment, offering valuable insights that help create a clear vision. 3. Creating a Unique Scorecard Once you’ve completed your assessment, stakeholders can work together to establish a customized scorecard that reflects your business objectives. Whether customer service is your primary focus or you’re more telemarketing-heavy, this scorecard ensures that your solution is tailored to your specific needs. It’s also important to involve contributors and advocates in the process to gain widespread buy-in. 4. Scheduling Solution Demonstrations With a solid scorecard in hand, it’s time to identify and evaluate vendors. A contact center consultant can help streamline this process. Scoring each solution based on how well it aligns with your goals keeps the focus on substance over flash, ensuring the right solution for your business. 5. Analyzing Scorecard Data When reviewing the scorecard data, stakeholders should ask key questions: This analysis ensures that decisions are data-driven and aligned with business goals. 6. Finalizing Vendor Selection-AI-Powered Contact Center Landscape Once the data is compiled and a consensus is reached, it’s time to move forward with a contract proposal. Beyond the solution itself, discuss critical details like implementation timelines, ongoing support, and maintenance to set clear expectations and ensure accountability. Financial Modeling: Justifying the Investment Looking at your goals through a financial lens helps quantify the benefits of your contact center investment. For example, reducing average handling time by just 12 seconds across the company might result in cost-neutral savings. Similarly, reducing call abandonment by even half a percentage point can have a significant impact. These financial considerations help justify ROI and set expectations. Partnering with Tectonic: Expertise You Can Trust At Tectonic, we live and breathe contact centers. Our team of experts comes directly from this world, so we understand the challenges and opportunities. We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of the contact center ecosystem and bring clarity to your CCaaS journey. Contact us today to get started! For more resources, visit our blog or explore our AI solutions to elevate your customer experience. 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 Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
Set Up for Success: Tackling Critical Field Service Challenges with Connected Data and AI Today’s customers demand faster, more personalized service, and field service is no exception. Research shows that 74% of mobile workers report that customer expectations have risen, with 73% noting an increased demand for a personal touch. This is shaping key trends in the field service industry. Trend #1: Rising Customer Expectations Amid a Shrinking Workforce Field service teams are grappling with rising customer expectations while dealing with a declining mobile workforce. In fact, 74% of mobile workers report increasing workloads. Given that mobile workers are often the only in-person company representatives, they face intense pressure to deliver exceptional service. At the same time, fewer young people are entering skilled trades, with applications dropping nearly 50% from 2020 to 2022, while seasoned technicians are retiring. This has led to high burnout rates, with 57% of mobile workers experiencing job-related fatigue. Trend #2: Connected Data Empowers Mobile Workers Mobile workers thrive when equipped with connected data. Yet, they spend only 32% of their time interacting with customers, as much of their time is consumed by manual tasks and disjointed systems. With the right technology, mobile workers can access up-to-date customer information through a CRM mobile app, streamlining processes and enabling more personalized service. Connected data also improves sustainability, with features like route optimization and drones reducing time on the road and minimizing worker stress. Trend #3: AI is Revolutionizing Field Service AI is rapidly transforming field service operations. Today, 79% of service organizations are investing in AI, and 83% of decision-makers plan to increase their AI investments next year. AI helps mobile teams save time and cut costs by analyzing customer data to generate personalized responses and streamline processes. By automating workflows with AI, mobile workers can deliver faster, more efficient service. AI-generated summaries of asset history and service interactions help prepare workers before they arrive at a job site, enabling better service and potential upsell opportunities. What’s Next in Field Service? Technologies like generative AI, augmented reality, and mobile solutions are shaping the future of field service. Companies that embrace these innovations now will gain a competitive edge. 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 Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
HOLMDEL, N.J., Sept. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Vonage, a global leader in cloud communications helping businesses accelerate their digital transformation and a part of Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), is one of the first contact center providers to join Salesforce’s Bring Your Own Channel for Contact Center as a Service (BYOC for CCaaS) pilot program. With BYOC for CCaaS, Vonage Premier for Salesforce Service Cloud Voice customers will have the ability to integrate Vonage omnichannel and AI-powered capabilities into their existing contact center solutions, including voice, SMS, chat, social messaging apps like WhatsApp, and more – delivering faster resolution times and creating a more native, personalized and meaningful experience for customers by connecting with them on their channel of choice. “We are very excited to have Vonage, a leading Salesforce Service Cloud Voice partner, take this very important step to expand its deep Salesforce integration through BYOC for CCaaS, delivering the omnichannel capabilities – and the APIs to enable them – that create the kind of customer experiences that drive meaningful engagement,” said Tony Flores, Senior Director of Product Management for Salesforce. With BYOC for CCaaS, Vonage Premier for Service Cloud Voice customers will now be able to connect with customers across various communications channels, as well as access data insights and AI-based agent productivity tools, to create a better overall customer journey and a more productive and efficient agent experience. The solution’s single routing and agent capacity model also increases contact center capacity, leading to more customer interactions being resolved better and faster. Workforce Engagement Management (WEM) is also provided through Vonage’s seamless integrations with leading WEM solutions Verint, Calabrio Teleopti, Playvox and injixo, ensuring optimum planning, scheduling, tracking, and management of the contact center workforce. “Today’s contact center agents play a vital role in support of the businesses they represent and in meeting the increasing demands of tech-savvy customers who want to connect from anywhere, on their preferred communications channels,” said Reggie Scales, Acting Head of Applications for Vonage. “These agents are also frequently working from anywhere and need the tools to access critical information to troubleshoot common customer issues and provide real-time customer support. Having all of these capabilities in a single user interface – omnichannel modes of communication coupled with a 360 view of customer information and key knowledge bases – this is the contact center of the future.” A key differentiator for Vonage as a pilot partner in this program is its ability to source a single AI-based Virtual Agent solution for self-service automations across voice and digital channels using Vonage AI studio – while also leveraging Salesforce for all Live Agent Assist and Analytics needs. Vonage can also integrate its own Vonage Communications APIs to power pre-built programmable capabilities for voice, SMS, social and chat, directly into the contact center – all on one combined Salesforce and Vonage platform. This singular view also enhances efficiency by keeping agents and supervisors in a single Salesforce desktop to eliminate application switching and the need to toggle between screens. “Modern contact centers are experiencing increasing pressure and demand to deliver better, more personalized, omnichannel interactions, as well as quicker and more accurate responses to customer issues,” said Jim Lundy, CEO, Founder & Lead Analyst, Aragon Research. “With BYOC for CCaaS, Vonage aims to address the increasing demand for a unified and customizable customer experience across all communication channels, leveraging existing Salesforce platforms and AI-powered insights and automation.” Vonage Premier for Service Cloud Voice is currently available on the Salesforce AppExchange with Salesforce BYOC for CCaaS integrated capabilities now available for customers to pilot. To find out more about Vonage Premier for Service Cloud Voice, visit www.vonage.com. Salesforce, AppExchange, Service Cloud Voice, Einstein and others are among the trademarks of Salesforce, inc. About Vonage Vonage, a global cloud communications leader, helps businesses accelerate their digital transformation. Vonage’s Communications Platform is fully programmable and allows for the integration of Video, Voice, Chat, Messaging, AI and Verification into existing products, workflows and systems. The Vonage conversational commerce application enables businesses to create AI-powered omnichannel experiences that boost sales and increase customer satisfaction. Vonage’s fully programmable unified communications, contact center and conversational commerce applications are built from the Vonage platform and enable companies to transform how they communicate and operate from the office or remotely – providing the flexibility required to create meaningful engagements. Vonage is headquartered in New Jersey, with offices throughout the United States, Europe, Israel and Asia and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), and a business area within the Ericsson Group called Business Area Global Communications Platform. To follow Vonage on X (formerly known as Twitter), please visit twitter.com/vonage. To follow on LinkedIn, visit linkedin.com/company/Vonage/. To become a fan on Facebook, go to facebook.com/vonage. To subscribe on YouTube, visit youtube.com/vonage. SOURCE Vonage 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 Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
Sprout Social Announces Integration with Salesforce Agentforce for Service Cloud Sprout Social (SPT) has unveiled a new integration with Salesforce’s (CRM) Agentforce assistant for Service Cloud. This partnership enables joint customers of Salesforce Service Cloud and Sprout Social to gather customer insights from social media and take proactive action to enhance customer experiences. These updates will be highlighted at Dreamforce 2024, where Sprout Social will showcase how AI, social data, and Salesforce can drive revenue, foster customer loyalty, and strengthen brand equity. As a leading provider of cloud-based social media management software, Sprout Social’s integration with Salesforce’s Agentforce assistant empowers businesses to capture social media insights and accelerate decision-making in customer service. These advancements will be a focal point at Dreamforce 2024, where Sprout Social will present on utilizing AI and social data to enhance customer care, build brand loyalty, and grow revenue. Enhancing Customer Experiences with Social Insights Delivering exceptional customer care requires meeting customers where they are—often on social media. This new integration equips businesses with a full view of their customers by combining social data with Agentforce’s AI-powered assistance. By leveraging this combined solution, companies can resolve cases more efficiently and anticipate customer needs, shifting from reactive to proactive customer service strategies. “This extension demonstrates our commitment to AI-driven innovation and our strong partnership with Salesforce,” said Scott Morris, Chief Marketing Officer of Sprout Social. “In today’s landscape, where customer care defines brand success, integrating social insights is crucial for supporting holistic, long-term care strategies and empowering brands to deliver personalized interactions at scale.” The integration expands Agentforce’s capabilities to include social data from major networks and review sites, alongside traditional communication channels like phone and email. This comprehensive view enables service teams to provide a seamless and personalized customer experience. A New Era of AI-Driven Customer Service “Social customer care has become integral to providing quality, end-to-end customer experiences,” said Ryan Nichols, Chief Customer Officer at Salesforce Service Cloud. “Collaborating with Sprout to integrate their platform with Agentforce assistant is a key step in enabling service teams to gain comprehensive customer insights and leverage conversational AI to elevate customer care.” At Dreamforce 2024, Sprout Social will present key sessions, including: The integration, currently in invite-only beta, enhances Agentforce with social data-driven insights, making customer service faster and more proactive. To learn more, contact your Sprout Social representative or visit Sprout Social’s Service Cloud page. Key Features of the Integration: Sprout Social will highlight these features at Dreamforce 2024, with insights on leveraging AI, social data, and Salesforce for enhanced customer care and brand growth. 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 Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
Salesforce Service Cloud makes delivering personalized customer experiences at scale simple. By consolidating all your support needs into one platform, you can reduce costs, increase efficiency, and build stronger customer relationships
Salesforce recently announced a strategic partnership with Monte Carlo, a leading fashion brand, to revolutionize the company’s consumer engagement across multiple channels. This collaboration will help Monte Carlo evolve from a winter-wear icon into a year-round favorite in India’s competitive fashion industry, appealing to customers of all ages while maintaining its legacy in winter apparel. In a statement, Monte Carlo shared, “Our decision to adopt Salesforce CRM aligns with our vision of becoming a digital-first, data-driven organization that leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance customer experiences. With Salesforce, we aim to transform the customer journey by gaining a unified, 360-degree view of customers across online and offline channels.” Monte Carlo has embraced Salesforce Data Cloud to create a holistic view of each customer, enabling streamlined communication across all channels to ensure more seamless and efficient engagements. Additionally, Monte Carlo is committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences at every stage—before, during, and after a purchase. The brand is using Salesforce Service Cloud to implement a personalized loyalty solution that goes beyond traditional point-based rewards, offering customers a unique and memorable experience. 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 Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
Managing Multiple Salesforce Instances: Challenges and Solutions For growing enterprises, managing multiple Salesforce instances can be a significant challenge. Each instance may house critical business data and processes, which often need to be consolidated, particularly during mergers, acquisitions, or different stages of Salesforce adoption. This consolidation is essential to reduce operating costs and enhance efficiency. Salesforce Org Merge Risks. Salesforce Org Merge Risks Overview Salesforce consolidation involves merging several instances into a single Salesforce organization. This process aims to improve operational efficiency, data visibility, and process standardization while minimizing the total cost of ownership. It may require setting up a new Salesforce organization to facilitate the merger. Typical Salesforce Consolidation Plan A comprehensive consolidation plan typically includes the following steps: Complexity and Benefits of Salesforce Consolidation While Salesforce consolidation offers significant benefits, such as improved efficiency and reduced costs, it is a complex process requiring careful planning and execution. Many companies partner with Salesforce experts, like Tectonic, to navigate the intricacies of consolidation successfully. Salesforce Org Merge Risks Risk 1: Under-Scoping Data Mapping, Migration, and Merging Risk 2: Overlooking Metrics, Measurements, and Reports Risk 3: Limiting Stakeholder Engagement and Change Management Conclusion While meticulous planning cannot guarantee a flawless Salesforce migration, it fosters communication among Salesforce, data, and business leaders, making challenges more manageable. Although managing and consolidating systems might seem straightforward, guiding people, processes, and data through the consolidation process is inherently complex and demanding. 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 Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
Salesforce has introduced new AI-powered field service capabilities designed to streamline operations for dispatchers, technicians, and field service leaders. Leveraging the Salesforce platform and Data Cloud, these innovations aim to expedite time-consuming processes and enhance customer satisfaction by making field service operations more proactive and efficient. Why it matters: Field service teams currently spend only 32% of their time interacting with customers, with the remaining 68% consumed by administrative tasks like manually entering case notes. With 78% of field service workers in AI-enabled organizations reporting that AI helps save time, Salesforce’s new tools address these inefficiencies head-on. Key AI-driven innovations for Field Service: Availability: Paul Whitelam, GM & SVP of Salesforce Field Service, notes, “The future of field service lies in the seamless integration of AI, data, and human expertise. Our new capabilities set new standards for efficiency and service delivery.” Rudi Khoury, Chief Digital Officer at Fisher & Paykel, adds, “With Salesforce Field Service, we’re not just embracing AI and data-driven insights — we’re advancing into the future of field service, achieving unprecedented efficiency and exceptional service.” 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 Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
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 Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, 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
Salesforce has unveiled new out-of-the-box service components, an automation tool, and a new app for Service Cloud customers, designed to help agents resolve customer cases faster and enable companies to scale their support operations efficiently. New Service Cloud Tools are here. Why It Matters: With 69% of agents reporting that balancing speed and quality is a challenge, and as the volume and complexity of cases increase, there is a growing need for tools that enhance efficiency without compromising service quality. Salesforce Service Cloud: Deliver Value Across Every Customer Touchpoint with Service Cloud Built on the Einstein 1 Platform. New Tools and Features: Service Cloud customers now have access to a suite of efficiency tools aimed at automating processes and identifying the best product capabilities to enhance service delivery. These new features allow customers to maximize their Service Cloud investment and improve their return on investment. Salesforce Perspective: Kishan Chetan, EVP & GM of Service Cloud, emphasized that the new efficiency tools help companies of all sizes increase service team productivity and better serve their customers. Industry Reaction: Rebecca Wettemann, CEO & Principal Analyst at Valoir, noted that these innovations offer service teams quick wins, enhancing operational efficiency and maximizing technology investments. Fast Facts: 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 Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
Simplified Case Management with Automation Customer service becomes easier, faster, and more effective with automation tools. A well-organized case management system ensures that customer inquiries are routed to the right person, get the correct answers, and are resolved promptly. Delays or errors in responses can lead to customer dissatisfaction, making efficient case routing critical. Salesforce Service Cloud offers robust automation tools to simplify case management and ensure the right service agents handle cases efficiently, minimizing errors and maximizing customer satisfaction. Efficient Handling of Multi-Channel Case Creation With cases being generated from multiple service channels like web, email, phone, and chat, managing them efficiently can be challenging. Service agents often spend significant time prioritizing, sorting, and assigning cases manually, which can reduce productivity. Moreover, identifying agents with specialized skills and assigning appropriate cases to them can be time-consuming. Automating this process ensures optimal resource utilization, faster resolutions, and higher customer satisfaction. Salesforce provides several tools for routing cases to the right agents: Additionally, advanced automation tools enhance case-routing efficiency: Omni-Channel Routing: Revolutionizing Case Management Omni-Channel Routing is a powerful feature that transforms inefficient systems into streamlined workflows. Without it, agents often rely on manual processes, such as selecting cases from lists, which can result in: Omni-Channel automatically assigns cases to qualified and available agents in real-time, ensuring balanced workloads and prioritizing urgent cases. It seamlessly integrates with both Salesforce Classic and Lightning Experience, saving time and enabling agents to focus on resolving cases quickly. Routing Techniques: Case Assignment Rules: Simplifying Small Business Needs Case Assignment Rules automate case ownership by assigning cases to specific users or queues based on predefined criteria. These rules apply to all cases, regardless of origin, including web-to-case, email-to-case, and more. Key Features: Escalation Rules: Prioritizing Unresolved Cases Escalation Rules help identify and resolve cases that remain unresolved within a specific timeframe. They reassign cases to specific users or teams and send notifications, ensuring: Rules are configured with business hours and time-based criteria to determine when cases should be escalated. Einstein Case Classification & Routing: AI-Powered Efficiency Salesforce Einstein uses machine learning to predict and populate case record fields automatically, reducing agent effort and improving accuracy. How It Works: Einstein Case Routing combines AI predictions with assignment or skill-based routing rules to assign cases to the most suitable agents, improving resolution speed and customer satisfaction. Conclusion Automated case routing transforms customer service by improving productivity, efficiency, and resolution speed. While Omni-Channel Routing is the most comprehensive tool for case management, Escalation and Assignment Rules also play vital roles for smaller business needs. Together, these tools enable businesses to deliver exceptional customer experiences. 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 Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
