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Public Sector Spring 25 Advances

Public Sector Spring 25 Advances

The Salesforce Spring ’25 Release: Transforming Public Sector Operations The Salesforce Spring ’25 release has arrived, bringing transformative updates to public sector workflows, including faster document generation, AI-powered household insights, and smarter grantmaking processes. At Tectonic, we’re passionate about driving digital transformation for our clients. Here’s a deep dive into the key enhancements and how they can elevate your public sector operations. 1. Faster, More Flexible Document Generation OmniStudio Document Generation 2.0 introduces significant improvements in speed and flexibility for public sector workflows. With higher batch limits, support for custom fonts, and a document previewer, teams can generate documents more efficiently and accurately. Whether you’re managing applications, approvals, or citizen communications, this update reduces processing times and enhances overall workflows. This transition also improves performance by moving PDF generation from client-side to server-side, ensuring a seamless upgrade with minimal regression impact. The enhanced functionality makes it easier to handle high-demand periods and large document volumes. Pro Tip: Transition to OmniStudio Document Generation 2.0 before Document Generation 1.0 is retired in July 2025. Use the preview tool to refine templates during peak times. 2. AI-Powered Household Overviews for Caseworkers Salesforce Generative AI introduces a new household overview feature, empowering caseworkers with detailed insights into benefit applicants’ households. This tool streamlines eligibility assessments, enabling faster and more accurate decisions. It even automates energy savings calculations for Clean Energy Programs, aligning citizen support with sustainability goals. By simplifying data collection and decision-making, caseworkers can focus on high-priority cases, ensuring faster and more equitable approvals. Pro Tip: Pair this feature with Energy Cloud insights to enhance decision-making and allocate resources more effectively for citizens in need. 3. Supercharge Grantmaking with Stage Management Stage Management automates key grantmaking tasks, ensuring compliance and improving efficiency. Grant managers can bulk-assign reviews, reducing manual workload and freeing up time for high-priority tasks. This feature provides better control by defining each stage of the grant process, enabling faster and more accurate progress. With automated workflows and robust progress tracking, Stage Management ensures timely execution of grant operations. Pro Tip: Use automated workflows to manage multiple grants simultaneously, ensuring deadlines are met and every stage is completed on time. 4. Empower Employees with Personalized Care Plans Spring ’25 introduces personalized care plans, a game-changer for public sector organizations. These plans allow agencies to create and assign tailored growth and well-being strategies for employees. By setting customizable goals and aligning benefits with individual needs, organizations can foster a supportive work environment that drives employee engagement and retention. This targeted approach enhances morale and supports professional development, making it invaluable for workforce motivation and talent retention. Pro Tip: Use personalized care plans during onboarding to set new hires up for success or integrate them into professional development initiatives for ongoing growth and engagement. 5. Unified Voice Routing for Seamless Citizen Interaction (Beta) Unified Voice Routing consolidates communication channels in Salesforce, streamlining citizen interactions. By routing voice calls based on skills or specific representatives, public sector teams can reduce wait times and deliver more effective service. This feature also introduces a new Reassign button, enabling teams to transfer work between queues, service reps, AI agents, skills, or Omni-Channel flows. Reassigned tasks are automatically routed to the correct destination. Pro Tip: Combine Unified Voice Routing with Amazon Connect to route calls to the most qualified representatives, ensuring quick and effective resolutions. Conclusion The Salesforce Spring ’25 updates are a game-changer for public sector organizations, enabling teams to deliver faster, more efficient, and more impactful services. From AI-powered household insights to smarter grantmaking and seamless communication, these tools empower organizations to better serve their communities. At Tectonic, we’re excited to help you leverage these updates to optimize your operations and make a greater impact in your community. Want to learn more about how these tools can transform your workflows? Contact us today, and let’s explore the possibilities together! 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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operational customer profiles

Operational Customer Profiles

What is an operational customer profile? An operational customer profile is a detailed representation of a customer’s interactions with a company. Operational Customer Profile: The Key to Your Marketing Puzzle An illustration of a man on a pink background with puzzle pieces symbolizing how an operational customer profile brings fragmented customer data together. Marketers are constantly challenged to unify fragmented customer data and make it actionable. Enter the operational customer profile—the solution to connecting the dots and revealing the bigger picture. Seeing the Bigger Picture Without Overhauling Your Strategy Picture this: You’re trying to understand your customer’s preferences. You have some demographic details, a few website interactions, and maybe a record of past purchases. But when you attempt to piece it all together, the view remains blurry. You’re close to understanding your customer, yet the fragmented data leaves you guessing. This challenge isn’t unique. According to Salesforce’s State of Marketing report, only 31% of marketers are fully satisfied with their ability to unify customer data sources. Even fewer—just 32%—are satisfied with how effectively they use that data to create personalized customer experiences. The culprit? Data fragmentation. Customer information lives across disconnected systems, making it nearly impossible to gain a complete view of each customer. What Is an Operational Customer Profile? An operational customer profile serves as a comprehensive snapshot of a customer’s interactions with your company. It includes critical data like: This consolidated profile empowers marketers to create personalized, relevant experiences. For example: The Pain Points of Fragmented Customer Data Fragmented customer data lives in silos: Each platform captures different touchpoints, but they rarely communicate seamlessly. Manually combining this data is not only tedious but also prone to errors, leading to incomplete profiles. This inefficiency robs marketers of the insights they need to: Without a unified view, marketing efforts lose their impact, becoming less targeted and less effective. The Solution to Fragmentation An operational customer profile is the key to overcoming these challenges. By unifying data and making it actionable, marketers can unlock valuable insights and build stronger connections with their customers—no major marketing overhaul required. It’s time to let the operational customer profile complete your marketing plan. 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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Agentforce for Retail

Agentforce for Retail

Salesforce Introduces Agentforce for Retail: A Sector-Specific Skills Library for AI Innovation Salesforce has unveiled Agentforce for Retail, an industry-specific skills library designed to empower retailers to develop AI agents tailored to their unique business needs. This release provides tools for retailers to enhance customer service, assist store associates, and engage customers in innovative ways. For example, AI agents can now automate and streamline processes like order management, guided shopping, and appointment scheduling. While Salesforce had previously launched 100 preconfigured, industry-specific AI agents for the core Agentforce platform, this new retail-focused release represents a shift toward providing specialized tools that enable retailers to build AI agents with greater precision and flexibility. Driving Seamless, Unified Retail Experiences Nitin Mangtani, SVP & GM of Retail at Salesforce, described the vision behind Agentforce for Retail: “Salesforce is helping retailers deliver seamless, unified shopping experiences across both the physical and digital realms of retail, driving productivity advancements and business growth across their entire enterprise.” This move aligns with Salesforce’s broader commitment to delivering sector-specific AI innovations, expanding the Agentforce offering into targeted solutions that meet the distinct demands of industries like retail. Agentforce for Retail: Core Capabilities Commerce Skills for Order Management These skills empower retailers to offer self-service order support, helping reduce costs while boosting customer loyalty. Customers can: Commerce Skills for Guided Shopping Using natural language, customers can receive personalized product recommendations based on behavior, inventory, and operational data. They can also: Field Service Skills for Appointment Scheduling Service representatives can use AI-powered tools to streamline the scheduling of deliveries, installations, or consultations. Real-time availability updates improve efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction. Marketing Skills for Loyalty Promotion Creation Marketers can use conversational prompts informed by shopper data, point-of-sale (POS) insights, and segmentation to design loyalty campaigns. These tools also assist in creating personalized email content and subject lines to drive higher engagement. Retail Cloud with Modern POS: A Complementary Innovation In addition to Agentforce for Retail, Salesforce announced the Retail Cloud with Modern POS, a cloud-based point-of-sale solution designed to unify online and offline shopping experiences. Key features include: The POS system also incorporates AI capabilities such as: Shoppers benefit from flexible fulfillment options, including buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS) and omni-exchanges. Each cart item can have unique fulfillment methods, optimizing supply chain costs while enhancing convenience. Mangtani noted, “Together, AI-fueled digital labor and a modern POS can unlock a new scale of operational capacity for retailers.” The Evolution of Agentforce: A Platform for Digital Labor In late 2024, Salesforce launched Agentforce 2.0, branding it as “The Digital Labor Platform.” This expanded version introduced enhanced capabilities aimed at helping businesses streamline operations and adopt AI-driven automation on a larger scale. Agentforce for Retail builds on this foundation, offering retailers the tools to reimagine customer engagement, boost efficiency, and drive business 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 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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HIPAA

Salesforce HIPAA Compliance

Compliance plays a critical role in managing sensitive information, especially under regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Salesforce HIPAA Compliance. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA establishes national standards for safeguarding sensitive health information. Organizations and individuals who store, manage, or transmit healthcare data are subject to these regulations, which prioritize the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of patient information. While Salesforce provides tools to support HIPAA compliance, the responsibility for ensuring compliance ultimately lies with the data-processing organization or individual—not solely the platform itself. This insight explores Salesforce’s role in HIPAA compliance, key features for safeguarding electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI), and best practices for adhering to regulatory requirements. Understanding HIPAA Salesforce’s flexibility as a CRM platform allows it to serve industries that require HIPAA compliance, particularly healthcare and life sciences. At its core, HIPAA protects Protected Health Information (PHI)—any patient-identifiable information in medical records. PHI extends beyond traditional medical data to include names, addresses, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and more. When PHI is managed or transmitted electronically, it’s classified as electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI), which is subject to additional safeguards. Entities Covered by HIPAA HIPAA applies to several types of entities: While Salesforce is classified as a Business Associate, organizations using the platform remain responsible for adhering to HIPAA’s security requirements. Salesforce and the Business Associate Agreement (BAA) As a Business Associate, Salesforce must enter into a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with healthcare organizations and other Covered Entities to define responsibilities and security measures for handling ePHI. The BAA outlines the Salesforce features and services eligible for HIPAA compliance. Notably: Without a signed BAA, organizations face significant penalties for HIPAA violations, even in the absence of a data breach. HIPAA-Compliant Salesforce Solutions Salesforce offers various solutions and features to support HIPAA compliance. These are categorized into platform security measures and specific compliant services: Key Security Features HIPAA-Compliant Services It’s important to note that not all Salesforce features are HIPAA-compliant, and proper configuration is critical to ensure compliance. Restrictions and Challenges While Salesforce offers robust security tools, some limitations and risks exist: Additionally, some Salesforce services, like certain social or mobile features in Health Cloud, are not compliant by default and require explicit mention in the BAA to be used with ePHI. Best Practices for HIPAA Compliance To maximize HIPAA compliance with Salesforce, organizations should: HIPAA Compliance Checklist Here’s a concise checklist to guide your HIPAA compliance efforts: Leveraging Third-Party Tools Solutions like GRAX can enhance HIPAA compliance in Salesforce by adding capabilities such as data backup, archiving, and recovery. GRAX’s security features include: However, integrating third-party solutions requires careful vetting to avoid compliance risks. Salesforce HIPAA Compliance Salesforce is a powerful tool for healthcare organizations, but achieving HIPAA compliance requires understanding its capabilities and limitations. A well-configured Salesforce environment, combined with diligent user management and third-party tools, can help organizations meet regulatory requirements while safeguarding patient data. By embracing best practices and staying informed about shared responsibilities, organizations can ensure HIPAA compliance, avoid penalties, and build trust with patients and stakeholders. 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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Native Salesforce App to Simplify Event Management

Native Salesforce App to Simplify Event Management

Why a Native Salesforce App Changes Everything Streamlined Event Operations Blackthorn.io’s platform eliminates the need for external integrations by operating entirely within Salesforce. This means event data—registrations, payments, and attendee interactions—is instantly accessible and linked to existing CRM records in real-time. Case in Point: USC Marshall School of Business Facing inefficiencies in manual data entry and registration processes, USC Marshall School adopted Blackthorn.io’s solution. They leveraged branded event pages, automated attendee check-ins, and simplified scaling for admissions events. The Salesforce-native architecture streamlined data analysis, ensuring a single source of truth and improving follow-ups with prospective students. Harnessing Salesforce Data for Personalization Blackthorn.io’s platform empowers organizations to personalize event experiences using CRM data. For example: Traditional event tech systems only pull basic fields into Salesforce. In contrast, Blackthorn.io leverages all standard and custom Salesforce fields, enabling planners to design deeply personalized event experiences. Addressing Integration Challenges Event planners often face inefficiencies caused by integrating third-party platforms with Salesforce, such as data flow disruptions, duplicate management, and delays. Blackthorn.io removes these obstacles by unifying event data with CRM data. This seamless approach enables real-time management of everything from registration to post-event follow-ups, cutting hours of manual work. 🔔🔔  Follow us on LinkedIn  🔔🔔 Applications Across Industries Corporate Events Higher Education Healthcare Nonprofits Associations AI and Automation: Redefining Event Planning Leverage Salesforce AI Blackthorn.io taps into Salesforce’s AI capabilities to deliver advanced insights, such as correlating event attendance with conversion likelihood. This reduces planning time and enhances decision-making. AgentForce AI AgentForce from SalesforceLaunching in 2025, Blackthorn.io’s upcoming AgentForce-based AI will analyze multiple data sources for insights beyond traditional reporting. It will answer questions like, “Which events are most effective for donor acquisition?” Scaling with Personalization Key Features Clients Love The Blackthorn Advantage By operating natively within Salesforce, Blackthorn.io simplifies event management while empowering organizations to deliver personalized, data-driven experiences. Its unified approach to event data eliminates inefficiencies, scales effortlessly, and opens up new opportunities for meaningful engagement across industries. Ready to transform your event management? Discover the power of Blackthorn.io with Tectonic and start planning smarter 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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Outsourced Salesforce Admin

Maximizing Business Potential with Outsourced Salesforce Admin Services Salesforce is an indispensable tool for managing customer relationships, streamlining operations, and driving growth. However, fully leveraging Salesforce’s capabilities requires skilled management, regular maintenance, and continuous updates. While some businesses prefer in-house management, outsourcing Salesforce admin services has emerged as a strategic option offering numerous advantages, including cost savings, access to specialized expertise, and improved system performance. This allows businesses to focus on core priorities. Key Benefits of Outsourcing Salesforce Admin Services 1. Access to Specialized Expertise Salesforce’s vast features and capabilities demand a deep understanding of its tools, integrations, and customizations. Outsourcing provides access to professionals with industry-specific expertise and up-to-date knowledge of Salesforce advancements. These experts ensure system optimization by implementing advanced features, automating workflows, and customizing dashboards, minimizing downtime, resolving issues efficiently, and improving overall system reliability. 2. Scalability and Flexibility Business needs evolve over time, and so do Salesforce requirements. Outsourced teams offer scalability and adaptability, making it easy to adjust services during periods of growth, mergers, system upgrades, or market expansion. This flexibility ensures businesses can meet their changing needs without disrupting operations. 3. Cost Efficiency and Resource Optimization Hiring and training in-house Salesforce administrators can be expensive. Outsourcing eliminates these costs by providing access to top-tier talent without the overhead of full-time employees. Moreover, outsourcing allows internal teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than day-to-day Salesforce management, maximizing productivity. 4. Enhanced Security and Compliance Protecting sensitive data and ensuring regulatory compliance is critical, especially in highly regulated industries. Outsourced Salesforce administrators bring extensive experience in implementing robust security measures, conducting regular audits, and mitigating vulnerabilities. Their proactive approach ensures data integrity and minimizes risks. 5. Improved Operational Efficiency Outsourcing ensures routine maintenance, performance monitoring, and data cleansing are consistently handled, reducing errors and improving system performance. Outsourced teams also use advanced tools to identify inefficiencies and recommend optimizations, creating streamlined workflows and resource utilization. 6. Quick Issue Resolution Experienced outsourced admins can diagnose and resolve technical issues promptly, minimizing disruptions. Their expertise and access to dedicated support channels ensure faster problem resolution, enabling businesses to maintain productivity and meet customer expectations. 7. Strategic Guidance and Insights Beyond daily management, outsourced professionals provide valuable strategic insights based on their cross-industry experience. From identifying automation opportunities to recommending data-driven strategies, they help businesses leverage Salesforce to achieve long-term objectives and foster innovation. 8. Tailored Customization and Integration Salesforce’s customization potential is vast, but it requires expertise to align the system with business goals effectively. Outsourcing ensures seamless integration and customization, whether through unique workflows, custom applications, or third-party tools. This tailored approach maximizes ROI and ensures Salesforce evolves with the organization. 9. Continuity Despite Employee Turnover Employee turnover in in-house teams can disrupt Salesforce management. Outsourced providers ensure continuity through established processes and teams, minimizing downtime and reducing the burden on internal staff. 10. Focus on Core Competencies Outsourcing Salesforce management allows internal teams to focus on innovation, market expansion, and customer service, while experts handle Salesforce’s complexities. This alignment of resources drives long-term success. 11. Access to Advanced Tools and Technologies Outsourced teams leverage advanced tools for data accuracy, performance insights, and productivity enhancements. These technologies improve system usability and allow businesses to stay competitive. 12. Knowledge Updates and Ongoing Training Salesforce evolves continuously, requiring admins to stay updated with new features and industry trends. Outsourced professionals invest in ongoing training and certifications, ensuring businesses benefit from the latest advancements without dedicating internal resources to training. 13. Time-Zone Benefits and 24/7 Support For global businesses, outsourced teams provide round-the-clock support to address technical issues promptly, regardless of time zones. Maintenance tasks can also be scheduled during non-business hours, minimizing disruptions and enhancing efficiency. Conclusion Outsourcing Salesforce admin services is a strategic investment for businesses aiming to enhance performance, drive growth, and streamline operations. By leveraging the expertise of skilled professionals, businesses can benefit from seamless system management, tailored customizations, and proactive support while reducing costs and resource demands. For organizations seeking to stay competitive in today’s dynamicmarketplace, outsourcing Salesforce admin services is not just a convenience but a strategic move toward achieving long-term success. By leaving Salesforce management to the experts, businesses can focus on their core goals and drive innovation. Contact Tectonic 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 Agent Rivalry

Generative AI in CX

Generative AI in CX: Opportunities and Challenges Generative AI offers the promise of transformative efficiency and innovation in customer experience (CX). However, businesses face significant hurdles in adopting the technology, including budget constraints, compliance challenges, and internal alignment issues. A Growing Gap Between Innovation and AdoptionCX technology vendors often outpace their customers in releasing advanced features. With generative AI, this gap feels wider than ever. For example, Zendesk’s CX Trends 2025 report revealed that over 25% of surveyed businesses have delayed AI adoption due to budgetary, knowledge, or organizational support barriers. Similarly, an October survey by NTT Data found that more than half of senior IT decision-makers had yet to align generative AI strategies with business goals. While only 39% of respondents reported significant investments in generative AI, most companies remain in early phases, such as pilots and trials. Some businesses, however, have no plans to invest at all. Early Adoption in CXDespite these challenges, early adopters are exploring generative AI applications in customer service and contact centers. AI-powered bots, or “agents,” are proving effective in summarizing answers and improving efficiency. However, deploying these agents requires substantial preparation, such as organizing customer data and defining roles and processes—a significant task for many IT teams. John Seeds, CMO at TTEC Digital, emphasized the importance of using generative AI internally first:“We start by addressing inconsistencies and cleaning up data. Once that’s done, businesses can present it effectively to reduce inbound calls and enhance self-service in contact centers.” Expanding Beyond Customer ServiceGenerative AI is also being embraced by marketing and e-commerce teams. Platforms like Salesforce, Google, and Sitecore have introduced tools that assist with campaign ideation and content creation. While these tools don’t always produce polished outputs, they serve as powerful starting points for creatives. The Generative AI RevolutionAI has been a staple in CX for years, powering analytics, natural language processing, and automation. But the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022 revolutionized the field. John Ball, SVP at ServiceNow, noted:“Generative AI has removed the need for handcrafting every dialogue or intent model. It opens up possibilities for chat and email recommendations without requiring as much manual setup.” Similarly, Salesforce AI executives, including Silvio Savarese, highlighted the technology’s unprecedented adoption:“It was incredible to see how quickly generative AI captured global attention,” Savarese said. Questions of Autonomy and TrustThe rise of AI agents introduces questions about trust and autonomy. Can bots make decisions that keep customers happy? What happens if they make mistakes? As companies explore these possibilities, many are focusing on augmenting human workflows rather than replacing them entirely. For example, Trimedx plans to use ServiceNow’s generative AI to automate report generation for its clinical hardware in hospitals. This application aims to save time while supporting human decision-making. Similarly, Siemens has deployed its own AI “bionic agent” to handle tasks like supply chain management, with generative AI accelerating customization and productivity. Regulatory and Ethical ConsiderationsAs adoption grows, so do concerns around compliance and copyright. The Biden administration’s recent CX-related regulations, including a ban on junk fees, could influence how AI is integrated into business processes. Additionally, initiatives like Adobe’s Content Authenticity Initiative aim to ensure transparency in AI-generated content by providing tools to verify the origins and editing history of digital assets. The Road AheadGenerative AI holds immense potential to transform CX by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and driving innovation. However, businesses must address challenges in data readiness, compliance, and ethical usage to fully realize its benefits. While early adopters are making strides, widespread success will depend on thoughtful implementation and alignment with organizational goals. 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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From Generative AI to Agentic AI

Understanding the Coming Shift: From Generative AI to Agentic AI Large Language Models (LLMs), such as GPT, excel at generating text, answering questions, and supporting various tasks. However, they operate reactively, responding only to the input they receive based on learned patterns. LLMs cannot make decisions independently, adapt to new situations, or plan ahead. Agentic AI addresses these limitations. Unlike Generative AI, Agentic AI can set goals for itself, take initiative by itself, and learn from its experiences. It is proactive, capable of adjusting its actions over time, and can manage complex, evolving tasks that demand continuous problem-solving and decision-making. This transition from reactive to proactive AI unlocks exciting new possibilities across industries. In this insight, we will explore the differences between Agentic AI and Generative AI, examining their distinct impacts on technology and industries. Let’s begin by understanding what sets them apart. What is Agentic AI? Agentic AI refers to systems capable of autonomous decision-making and action to achieve specific goals. These systems go beyond generating content—they interact with their environments, respond to changes, and complete tasks with minimal human guidance. For example: What is Generative AI? Generative AI focuses on creating content—text, images, music, or video—by learning from large datasets to identify patterns, styles, or structures. For instance: Generative AI acts like a creative assistant, producing content based on what it has learned, but it remains reactive and task-specific. Key Differences in Workflows Agentic AI employs an iterative, cyclical workflow that includes stages like “Thinking/Research” and “Revision.” This adaptive process involves self-assessment, testing, and refinement, enabling the system to learn from each phase and tackle complex, evolving tasks effectively. Generative AI, in contrast, follows a linear, single-step workflow, moving directly from input to output without iterative improvements. While efficient for straightforward tasks, it lacks the ability to revisit or refine its results, limiting its effectiveness for dynamic or nuanced challenges. Characteristics of Agentic AI vs. Generative AI Feature Agentic AI Generative AI Autonomy Acts independently, making decisions and executing tasks. Requires human input to generate responses. Behavior Goal-directed, proactively working toward specific objectives. Task-oriented, reacting to immediate prompts. Adaptation and Learning Learns from experiences, adjusting actions dynamically. Operates based on pre-trained patterns, without learning. Decision-Making Handles complex decisions, weighing multiple outcomes. Makes basic decisions, selecting outputs based on patterns. Environmental Perception Understands and interacts with its surroundings. Lacks awareness of the physical environment. Case Study: Agentic Workflow in Action Andrew Ng highlighted the power of the Agentic Workflow in a coding task. Using the HumanEval benchmark, his team tested two approaches: This illustrates how iterative methods can enhance performance, even for older AI models. Conclusion As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our lives and workplaces, understanding the distinction between Generative AI and Agentic AI is essential. Generative AI has transformed tasks like content creation, offering immediate, reactive solutions. However, it remains limited to following instructions without true autonomy. Agentic AI represents a significant leap in technology. From chatbots to today. By setting goals, making decisions, and adapting in real-time, it can tackle complex, dynamic tasks without constant human oversight. Approaches like the Agentic Workflow further enhance AI’s capabilities, enabling iterative learning and continuous improvement. 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 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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Python-Based Reasoning

Python-Based Reasoning

Introducing a Python-Based Reasoning Engine for Deterministic AI As the demand for deterministic systems grows reviving foundational ideas for the age of large language models (LLMs) is here. The Challenge One of the critical issues with modern AI systems is establishing constraints around how they validate and reason about incoming data. As we increasingly rely on stochastic LLMs to process unstructured data, enforcing rules and guardrails becomes vital for ensuring reliability and consistency. The Solution Thus a company has developed a Python-based reasoning and validation framework inspired by Pydantic, designed to empower developers and non-technical domain experts to create sophisticated rule engines. The system is: By transforming Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and business guardrails into enforceable code, this symbolic reasoning framework addresses the need for structured, interpretable, and reliable AI systems. Key Features System Architecture The framework includes five core components: Types of Engines Case Studies 1. Validation Engine: Mining Company Compliance A mining company needed to validate employee qualifications against region-specific requirements. The system was configured to check rules such as minimum age and required certifications for specific roles. Input Example:Employee data and validation rules were modeled as JSON: jsonCopy code{ “employees”: [ { “name”: “Sarah”, “age”: 25, “documents”: [{ “type”: “safe_handling_at_work” }] }, { “name”: “John”, “age”: 17, “documents”: [{ “type”: “heavy_lifting” }] } ], “rules”: [ { “type”: “min_age”, “parameters”: { “min_age”: 18 } } ] } Output:Violations, such as “Minimum age must be 18,” were flagged immediately, enabling quick remediation. 2. Reasoning Engine: Solving the River Crossing Puzzle To showcase its capabilities, we modeled the classic river crossing puzzle, where a farmer must transport a wolf, a goat, and a cabbage across a river without leaving incompatible items together. Steps Taken: Enhanced Scenario:Adding a new rule—“Wolf cannot be left with a chicken”—created an unsolvable scenario. By introducing a compensatory rule, “Farmer can carry two items at once,” the system adapted and solved the puzzle with fewer moves. Developer Insights The system supports rapid iteration and debugging. For example, adding rules is as simple as defining Python classes: pythonCopy codeclass GoatCabbageRule(Rule): def evaluate(self, state): return not (state.goat == state.cabbage and state.farmer != state.goat) def get_description(self): return “Goat cannot be left alone with cabbage” Real-World Impact This framework accelerates development by enabling non-technical stakeholders to contribute to rule creation through natural language, with developers approving and implementing these rules. This process reduces development time by up to 5x and adapts seamlessly to varied use cases, from logistics to compliance. 🔔🔔 Follow us on LinkedIn 🔔🔔 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 Foundations

Salesforce Foundations

We are excited that Agentforce Service Agents are now live! Agentforce Service Agent is the autonomous conversational AI assistant to help your customers with their service and support needs. What does this mean for Foundations Customers?Salesforce Foundations is required for all customers in order to try or buy Agentforce. Additionally, customers who have Foundations can try Agentforce Agents for free with a limited number of credits to test a use case or deploy a proof of concept. Salesforce Foundations is not a product or add-on. It’s a multi-cloud feature set that will be added to Sales and Service Cloud — no integration needed, with no additional upfront cost for our customers. It includes foundational features from Sales, Service, Marketing, Commerce, and Data Cloud. Salesforce Foundations provides a 360-degree view of your customer relationships across sales, service, marketing, and commerce through integrated applications and unified data. It also boosts productivity with streamlined, visually friendly user interface improvements, that you can turn on or off per your requirements. If you’re a Salesforce Sales Cloud or Service Cloud customer, you’ve become accustomed to the power, convenience, and full-featured functionality of our trusted CRM. Adding the additional functionality and engagement capabilities of a new Salesforce Cloud is exciting, but it’s also a big change for your organization to consider when you’re not sure about the value it brings. So, what if you could use essential features in the most popular Salesforce Clouds and turn them on when you’re ready? Now you can with Salesforce Foundations. Salesforce Foundations is a new, no-cost addition to your existing CRM that equips you to expand your business reach. The suite gives Salesforce customers on Enterprise, Unlimited, and Einstein 1 editions the power of Data Cloud, and access to essential Salesforce sales, service, Agentforce, marketing, and commerce capabilities. This suite is built into your existing CRM, and provides new functionality to give you a more robust 360-degree view of your customers. This chart shows the Salesforce Foundations features you get with your current Sales Cloud or Service Cloud package. You get Sales for Salesforce Foundations You get Service for Salesforce Foundations You get Marketing for Salesforce Foundations You get Commerce for Salesforce Foundations You get Data Cloud for Salesforce Foundations You get Agentforce for Salesforce Foundations If you already have Sales Cloud * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes If you already have Service Cloud Yes * Yes Yes Yes Yes If you already have Sales & Service Clouds * * Yes Yes Yes Yes *Your current Salesforce product. Benefits of Salesforce Foundations The features you get with Salesforce Foundations open doors to all sorts of new ways your teams can work more efficiently and engage with your customers on a more personal level. The benefits listed below are only a few of the ways Salesforce Foundations can help your business grow and thrive. Check out Discover Salesforce Foundations to see the full list of capabilities included with Salesforce Foundations. With Salesforce Foundations, your organization benefits from: Sales features that help you take care of your entire sales pipeline, from prospecting to closing. You can manage your leads, opportunities, accounts, and contacts in the preconfigured Sales Console. Service features that make it easy to provide proactive, personalized support to your customers through the preconfigured Service Console. Omni-channel case routing makes sure the most qualified agents work each case, Knowledge Management helps agents provide accurate and relevant help articles to customers, and macros help agents complete repetitive tasks with a single click. Agentforce brings the power of conversational AI to your business. Try out an intelligent, trusted, and customizable AI agent and help your users get more done with Salesforce. Agentforce’s autonomous apps use LLMs and context to assist customers and human agents. Marketing features that allow you to join data from disparate sources, better understand and analyze your customers, and choose how to connect with your audiences. You can create customized marketing campaigns powered by Salesforce Flows to send at the right time. Commerce features that help boost sales with a Direct to Customer (D2C) online storefront. You can define customer experiences like search, carts, and checkout. Pay Now lets you generate secure payment links for customers when opportunities close, so you get paid faster. Data Cloud functionality that creates unified profiles by aggregating data from all of your data sources into a single view so you can better understand your customers. Create customer segments to more accurately target campaigns, analyze your customers, and manage consent data. Data Cloud also powers features so you can send online store order confirmation emails and marketing messages. 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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Agentforce for Retail

Agentforce for Retail

Salesforce Introduces Agentforce for Retail and Retail Cloud with Modern POS Just ahead of the National Retail Federation (NRF) conference in New York, Salesforce has announced Agentforce for Retail and Retail Cloud with Modern POS, further expanding its AI-driven capabilities into the retail sector. This launch underscores Salesforce’s commitment to leveraging agentic AI to enhance productivity and streamline retail operations. Saks Fifth Avenue and SharkNinja: Early Adopters Retail giants like Saks Fifth Avenue and SharkNinja are among the first to test Agentforce for Retail, showcasing its potential to redefine customer engagement and operational efficiency in the industry. Agentforce for Retail Agentforce for Retail equips businesses with a library of pre-built AI agent skills tailored specifically for retail use cases, delivering what Salesforce calls “digital labor.” These skills are designed to simplify routine tasks, freeing up human employees to focus on higher-value activities. New Pre-Built Skills These tools aim to help retailers deploy AI agents efficiently, improving customer satisfaction and operational scalability. Retail Cloud with Modern POS Retail Cloud with Modern POS consolidates online and offline inventory data into a single, unified platform, empowering retailers with modern tools for seamless customer experiences. Key Features Retail Cloud integrates seamlessly with Commerce Cloud, Service Cloud, and Order Management, ensuring a cohesive ecosystem for retailers. Why This Matters This dual announcement highlights Salesforce’s strategy to embed Agentforce as a foundational capability across its multi-cloud architecture, while also tailoring solutions for specific industries like retail. “Together, AI-fueled digital labor and a modern POS can unlock a new scale of operational capacity for retailers,” said Nitin Mangtani, Salesforce SVP and GM of Retail, in a press release. With Agentforce for Retail, Salesforce empowers brands to embrace AI-driven automation while modernizing their point-of-sale systems, enabling a seamless blend of personalized customer engagement and operational excellence. 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 in the Workplace

AI Adoption in the Workplace Stirs Fear and Guilt Among Employees As artificial intelligence tools make their way into workplaces, they’re bringing along complex human emotions like fear and guilt, according to new research. For many employees, using AI feels like a double-edged sword—helpful but potentially stigmatizing. A survey conducted by Slack’s Workforce Lab in partnership with Qualtrics revealed that some employees worry their use of AI might be perceived as laziness or an inability to handle their responsibilities. This anxiety is compounded by a fear that relying on AI could make them appear less competent to managers or peers. “There is this fear of being seen as lazy,” said Christina Janzer, Senior Vice President of Research and Analytics at Slack, during a press briefing. “I wasn’t expecting guilt to emerge as such a strong theme.” Workplace Hesitation Slows AI AdoptionThe Slack survey of over 17,000 desk workers worldwide highlighted that workplace adoption of AI remains sluggish, largely due to employees’ discomfort and the lack of clear encouragement from leadership. Janzer emphasized the need for supportive management: “If you feel trusted by your manager, you’re much more likely to use AI. People need to feel encouraged and supported to embrace these tools.” Findings from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) align with this sentiment. In a study involving 5,000 participants, researchers found that while AI adoption is growing rapidly—28% of workers have adopted generative AI within two years—only 27% of employers actively encourage its use. Among those who feel supported, 83% reported using AI, compared to just 7% of those without encouragement. The Emotional Impact of AI on the WorkforceUnlike earlier technological advancements, AI brings unique emotional challenges, reshaping workplace interactions. “We trust the machine more than we trust the person to do the thing,” noted Helen Poitevin, a Gartner analyst, at the recent Gartner ReimagineHR conference. AI’s presence has also given rise to new tools aimed at easing workplace tension. For instance, AI feedback coaches now help employees prepare for sensitive conversations, simulate responses, and improve communication skills. Poitevin described these tools as “AI pocket advisers,” providing real-time guidance for daily tasks. However, she cautioned that over-reliance on AI could undermine human connection. “You can lose the human connection by always relying on a bot,” she warned. A Rapid but Uneven Adoption CurveDespite the emotional and social hurdles, AI adoption in the workplace is accelerating at a pace comparable to personal computers in the 1980s. While PCs had a 25% adoption rate in workplaces after three years, generative AI reached 28% in just two years, according to the NBER study. Still, the path to widespread adoption requires more than just availability—it needs clear communication, encouragement, and reassurance from leaders. Without these factors, the emotional hesitations surrounding AI may continue to slow its potential impact on productivity and innovation. In a rapidly changing workforce, the message is clear: trust and guidance are critical for AI adoption to succeed. 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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Agentforce Redefines Generative AI

Agentforce Redefines Generative AI

Agentforce: Redefining Generative AI in Salesforce Many Dreamforce attendees who expected to hear about Einstein Copilot were surprised when Salesforce introduced Agentforce just a week before the conference. While it might seem like a rebranding of Copilot, Agentforce marks a significant evolution by enabling more autonomous agents that go beyond summarizing or generating content to perform specific actions. Here’s a breakdown of the transition and what it means for Salesforce users: Key Vocabulary Updates How Agentforce Works Agents take user input, known as an “utterance,” and translate it into actionable steps based on predefined configurations. This allows the system to enhance performance over time while delivering responses tailored to user needs. Understanding Agentforce 1. Topics: Organizing Agent Capabilities Agentforce introduces “Topics,” a new layer of organization that categorizes actions by business function. When a user provides an utterance, the agent identifies the relevant topic first, then determines the best actions to address it. 2. Actions: What Agents Can Do Actions remain largely unchanged from Einstein Copilot. These are tasks agents perform to execute plans. 3. Prompts: The Key to Better Results LLMs rely on prompts to generate outputs, and crafting effective prompts is essential for reducing irrelevant responses and optimizing agent behavior. How Generative AI Enhances Salesforce Agentforce unlocks several benefits across productivity, personalization, standardization, and efficiency: Implementing Agentforce: Tips for Success Getting Started Start by using standard Agent actions. These out-of-the-box tools, such as opportunity summarization or close plan creation, provide a strong foundation. You can make minor adjustments to optimize their performance before diving into more complex custom actions. Testing and Iteration Testing AI agents is different from traditional workflows. Agents must handle various phrasing of the same user request (utterances) while maintaining consistency in responses. The Future of Salesforce with Agentforce As you gain expertise in planning, developing, testing, and deploying Agentforce actions, you’ll unlock new possibilities for transforming your Salesforce experience. With generative AI tools like Agentforce, Salesforce evolves from a traditional point-and-click interface into an intelligent, agent-driven platform with streamlined, conversational workflows. This isn’t just an upgrade — it’s the foundation for reimagining how businesses interact with their CRM in an AI-assisted world. 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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