Cloud Archives - gettectonic.com
AI-Powered Contact Center Landscape

Salesforce’s Vision for the Future of Service Cloud & Contact Center Integration

The New Era of CCaaS-CRM Convergence At Enterprise Connect 2025, Salesforce and AWS unveiled Salesforce Contact Center with Amazon Connect, expanding beyond voice to embed omnichannel routing, digital channels, and AI-powered workflows directly into Service Cloud. This follows similar deep integrations with Genesys and Five9, signaling Salesforce’s commitment to open, flexible contact center partnerships—rather than locking customers into a single vendor. “We want all vendors to integrate deeply with our system. AI needs real-time, cross-channel data to deliver seamless experiences.”—Ryan Nichols, Chief Customer Officer, Service Cloud, Salesforce Key Benefits of the New Integrations ✔ Unified Agent Workspace – Blend voice, chat, email, and more in one CRM view.✔ AI-Ready Infrastructure – Real-time data flows power smarter automation.✔ BYO Channel Flexibility – Keep existing CCaaS investments while enhancing Service Cloud. Salesforce’s “Bring Your Own Channel” Strategy Rather than building its own CCaaS, Salesforce is doubling down on partnerships via: 🔹 Bring Your Own Telephony (BYOT) – Already adopted by 18+ CCaaS providers.🔹 Bring Your Own Channel (BYOC) Program – Extends integrations to digital channels, routing, and AI. “We’re an open platform. Partners can build deeper, more customized connections.”—Ryan Nichols Contrasting Approaches: Salesforce vs. Zendesk The Future of Service Cloud: AI, Predictions & Prescriptive Guidance Salesforce is evolving Service Cloud into a self-optimizing, AI-driven platform with: 1. My Service Journey 2. Customer Success Score 3. AI Agents & Predictive Service The Bottom Line ✅ Salesforce is betting on open CCaaS partnerships—not walled gardens.✅ Service Cloud’s future is predictive, prescriptive, and AI-native.✅ Zendesk’s in-house CCaaS move could reshape competitive dynamics. What’s Next? Want to optimize Service Cloud for AI? 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 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

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Salesforce Essentials and Salesforce Professional

Benefits of Salesforce Essentials for Small Businesses

Salesforce Essentials: A Game-Changer for Small Businesses Salesforce is a leading force in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) industry, offering scalable solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes. While global enterprises like Amazon, Accenture, Adidas, and American Express leverage its capabilities, Salesforce also caters to small businesses with Salesforce Essentials. Launched in 2017, this cloud-based CRM simplifies customer relationship management for small teams without the complexity and cost of enterprise-level solutions. What Is Salesforce Essentials? Salesforce Essentials is a streamlined CRM designed for small businesses with fewer than 10 users. It provides core features such as lead management, sales tracking, customer support, and business analytics. With an intuitive interface and cost-effective pricing, Essentials enables small businesses to leverage Salesforce’s powerful CRM tools without being overwhelmed by extensive configurations. With a cloud-first approach, Salesforce Essentials centralizes customer data on a single platform, enhancing efficiency, boosting productivity, and improving customer interactions. Who Should Use Salesforce Essentials? Salesforce Essentials is ideal for small businesses seeking a straightforward, affordable CRM to manage customer relationships, track sales, and provide support—without the complexities of traditional CRM systems. If your business currently relies on spreadsheets or disparate tools to manage customer data, Essentials offers a more organized and integrated solution. Designed for teams of up to 10 users, it is an excellent starting point for small businesses looking to scale their CRM capabilities as they grow. Key Features of Salesforce Essentials 1. Comprehensive CRM Capabilities Salesforce Essentials consolidates sales tracking, customer inquiries, and support into a single interface. This holistic approach ensures small businesses can manage customer data efficiently as they expand. 2. AI-Driven Automation Essentials includes Einstein Activity Capture, which automatically records emails, meetings, and calendar events. This eliminates manual data entry and allows teams to focus on strategic tasks. AI-driven insights further enhance customer relationship management and sales forecasting. 3. User-Friendly Interface The platform features an intuitive dashboard that provides real-time updates, task lists, and customizable views. The drag-and-drop interface simplifies navigation, reducing the learning curve for small business teams. 4. Personalized Setup Salesforce Essentials offers guided setup tailored to business needs, whether managing contacts, streamlining sales cycles, or improving customer support. 5. Third-Party Integrations While not all Salesforce AppExchange apps are compatible, Essentials supports key third-party integrations, enabling small businesses to sync data across multiple platforms seamlessly. Benefits of Salesforce Essentials for Small Businesses 1. Data Synchronization Salesforce Essentials allows businesses to import and sync data from spreadsheets, emails, and other sources. Einstein Activity Capture automates data collection, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records. 2. Affordability Priced at per user per month, Salesforce Essentials is a cost-effective CRM solution with essential features typically found in more expensive systems. 3. Scalability Though initially designed for small teams, Essentials facilitates a smooth transition to more advanced Salesforce solutions as business needs evolve. 4. Mobile Accessibility With a mobile app, Salesforce Essentials enables small businesses to manage customer relationships anytime, anywhere. 5. Training and Support Salesforce offers extensive learning resources through Trailhead, in-app tutorials, and an installation assistant, helping small businesses maximize their CRM investment. Pricing and Getting Started Salesforce Essentials starts at $25 per user per month, making it an accessible upgrade from spreadsheets or less sophisticated CRM tools. For businesses requiring advanced features, Salesforce provides higher-tier plans such as Sales Professional and Service Professional, both starting at $75 per user per month. To get started, businesses can explore a pre-built demo with dummy data before importing their own customer information. Integration with Google or Outlook ensures seamless email and calendar synchronization. With mobile access and a scalable framework, Salesforce Essentials is a strategic investment for small businesses aiming for growth. Conclusion Salesforce Essentials is a powerful yet affordable CRM tailored for small businesses. It offers an intuitive interface, automation tools, and seamless scalability to support growing teams. By adopting Salesforce Essentials, small businesses can enhance efficiency, strengthen customer relationships, and position themselves for long-term success. 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

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Agentforce to the Team

Agentforce Explained

What Is Agentforce? As a kid, you probably wished for a robot to handle chores like washing dishes or tidying your room so you could spend more time riding bikes or playing video games. Now, as an adult in the business world, that wish hasn’t changed—you still want something to handle tedious tasks and improve customer interactions. Enter Agentforce. Agentforce seamlessly integrates AI-powered agents into your workflows, allowing them to manage tasks for employees and customers. These agents understand your business and can autonomously handle a range of responsibilities, making work more efficient and engaging. How Does Agentforce Work? Agentforce is a proactive, conversational AI solution built on the Salesforce Platform. It consists of autonomous AI agents that can interpret inquiries, take actions, and adapt dynamically with minimal or no human intervention. Think of them as digital teammates that learn, respond, and execute tasks efficiently within your predefined guidelines. Key Components of Agentforce Data Like employees, AI agents need information to perform effectively. With Agentforce, you define the data and access controls available to your agents. They can utilize structured and unstructured data from knowledge articles, CRM records, and external sources to complete their tasks securely. Reasoning The core intelligence behind each agent is its reasoning engine, which enables it to comprehend user intent, navigate complex interactions, and make informed decisions. Salesforce’s Atlas Reasoning Engine powers this capability, ensuring agents can adapt as conversations evolve. Actions Actions are the specific tasks an agent performs, such as initiating a product return, generating sales emails, or accessing external APIs. These actions can be customized or created from scratch to align with your business processes. Topics Topics define what an agent is capable of handling. For example, an Order Management topic might include actions like tracking orders or processing returns. Natural language instructions assigned to topics help agents execute the right actions at the right time. Channels Agentforce can be deployed across multiple communication platforms, including Salesforce, Slack, text messaging, and email. Agents can also integrate workflows across channels for a seamless experience. How Agentforce Gets Work Done When a user submits a request, the agent identifies the most relevant topic and initiates corresponding actions. It might retrieve customer details, book appointments, or search your knowledge base for solutions. If additional information is needed, the agent can request clarification or escalate the issue when necessary. What Jobs Can Agentforce Perform? Agentforce offers both standard agents and custom agents, catering to different business needs. Standard Agents Agentforce includes a library of ready-to-use AI agents designed for various roles. These agents come pre-configured with relevant topics and actions and integrate seamlessly with specific Salesforce clouds and licenses. Some examples include: Custom Agents If no standard agent fits your needs, you can create a custom agent using natural language commands. Simply describe the job, and Agentforce will generate relevant topics and instructions based on its extensive library of actions and workflows. For instance, you can configure an agent to review travel expenses or manage internal approvals. Note: The standard agents available depend on your Salesforce licenses. Check if a standard agent meets your needs before creating a custom one. Where Can You Use Agentforce? If you have the necessary Agentforce permissions, you can configure agents for both employees and customers. Employees can interact with agents directly within Salesforce, Slack, or mobile apps for tasks like summarizing account details or reviewing cases. Customers can engage with agents via websites or experience sites for support, scheduling, and self-service interactions. Agents and Trust Salesforce prioritizes security, and Agentforce is built with the Einstein Trust Layer to mitigate AI risks. This ensures: The Agentforce Testing Center allows you to preview and refine agent responses, ensuring reliability and security before deployment. Wrap-Up Agentforce brings the power of AI-driven automation to your business, enabling digital teammates that assist with tasks, improve efficiency, and enhance customer interactions. By integrating natural language processing, intelligent reasoning, and secure data handling, Agentforce helps businesses scale operations while maintaining trust and control. Whether you use standard or custom agents, the possibilities for automation are limitless. 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

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Sending Emails Through Salesforce

Are Email Open Rates the Key to Success

Are Email Open Rates the Key to Success? Myth or Truth? Email marketing remains a cornerstone for digital marketers aiming to generate leads. Many believe that higher email open rates directly correlate with better campaign performance, while others argue that email marketing alone isn’t enough to drive conversions. The truth? Open rates matter—but only when paired with the right strategy and technology. This guide explores why email open rates are important, how they impact lead generation, and how Salesforce tools like Marketing Cloud and Agentforce can help optimize email marketing efforts. Why Email Open Rates Matter Email open rates serve as an early indicator of campaign success. When recipients open an email, it signals interest and engagement, which can lead to conversions. According to a 2023 Statista report, email open rates vary widely: While open rates are a useful metric, they shouldn’t be the sole measure of success. Instead, they should be analyzed alongside click-through rates (CTR) and conversion rates to get a full picture of campaign performance. The Challenges of Low Email Open Rates Many businesses struggle with low open rates due to several factors: To overcome these challenges, businesses must segment their audience, personalize messaging, and automate workflows—which is where Salesforce excels. Boosting Email Open Rates with Salesforce Salesforce, a leader in CRM solutions, offers powerful tools like Marketing Cloud and Agentforce to optimize email marketing. Here’s how: 1. Advanced Segmentation for Higher Open Rates Segmenting your email list ensures that your messages reach the right audience. Salesforce enables businesses to group recipients based on: 2. Personalization with AI-Powered Recommendations Generic emails no longer cut it. With AI-driven insights, Salesforce allows businesses to: 3. Automated Email Workflows for Efficiency Automation helps marketers reach audiences at the right time with minimal effort. Using Salesforce Agentforce, businesses can: 4. Data-Driven Insights for Continuous Improvement Salesforce’s analytics tools provide real-time performance tracking, including: 5. Integration with Other Salesforce Tools Email marketing works best when integrated with CRM data and sales pipelines. Salesforce enables: Are Email Open Rates the Ultimate Metric? While email open rates matter, they are just one piece of the puzzle. When combined with CTR, conversion rates, and AI-driven automation, businesses can refine their strategy and generate more leads. By leveraging Salesforce Marketing Cloud and Agentforce, companies can optimize segmentation, personalization, and automation—ensuring that their email marketing campaigns not only get opened but also convert. Ready to boost your email marketing performance? Explore Salesforce solutions 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 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

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digital transformation for tourism

Digital Transformation for Tourism

The digital revolution is in full swing, with individuals and businesses increasingly interacting through social networks and digital devices. In this new era, consumers have grown more discerning, leveraging mobile technology to make informed decisions about products, services, and trusted providers. As mobile apps become integral to daily life, organizations are compelled to reinvent their customer value propositions and operating models through digital transformation to remain competitive in today’s market. Digital transformation has become a critical priority across industries, with the tourism sector standing out as a prime example of significant disruption driven by digital technologies. According to McKinsey & Company, the tourism industry has been undergoing a digital revolution for over a decade, transforming how travelers plan, book, and experience their trips. This shift has led to changing consumer behaviors, with travelers now demanding more personalized and seamless experiences. The push toward digital adoption in tourism is accelerating. A Skift survey found that 83% of respondents view digital transformation as a top priority. Tourism businesses are increasingly investing in technology to enhance customer experiences, optimize operations, and drive revenue growth. To boost enterprise agility, companies must make strategic decisions across five key dimensions of their operating models: One of the most notable impacts of digital transformation is the revolution in the booking process. Travelport Digital estimates that over 700 million people will book trips online by 2023, marking a 15% increase from previous years. Key statistics highlight this global shift in traveler preferences: Mobile apps have become essential tools for travelers, enabling them to research, plan, and book trips seamlessly. In the hospitality and tourism sector, key digital transformation trends include: Emerging technologies like cognitive computing, omnichannel models, and advanced personalization are further reshaping the future of the industry. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are increasingly used to tailor travel experiences based on consumer preferences and behaviors, as noted by GlobalData. AI also improves operational efficiency, with chatbots handling customer inquiries effectively. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are enhancing customer experiences by allowing travelers to explore destinations virtually before booking. Meanwhile, social media continues to play a pivotal role in promoting tourism businesses and reaching new audiences. In conclusion, digital transformation is no longer optional for tourism businesses—it is a necessity to remain competitive. The adoption of digital technologies has fundamentally reshaped the travel experience, and businesses must embrace this evolution to meet changing consumer expectations and maintain relevance in an increasingly digital world. 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

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July Changes to Marketing Cloud

Benefits of Salesforce Marketing Cloud

Make every moment count across the entire customer relationship Fuel creativity with data-driven answersUnlock efficiency with AI-powered campaignsRedefine the limits of personalization at scaleAsk your trusted first-party data any question about your customers, past content, future campaigns, ROI, you name it, and get an answer instantly.Save countless hours on everything from writing campaign briefs, to creating segments and content, to optimizing performance, with AI infused across the entire campaign lifecycle.And actually scale 1:1 personalization with the combination of AI-powered content creation and recommendations based on real-time customer profiles. 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

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Marketing Cloud Growth Edition

HubSpot vs. Salesforce Marketing Cloud Growth

HubSpot vs. Salesforce Marketing Cloud Growth: Which Marketing Automation Platform is Right For You? EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to Marketing Cloud Growth being a new release, some of the SFMC data reflects Marketing Cloud Engagement as well. Salesforce and HubSpot are both powerful customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, but they cater to different needs and business sizes. Salesforce, with its extensive customization and robust integrations, is better suited for growing enterprises, while HubSpot is better suited for small to medium-sized businesses that don’t require modular, ease of growth solutions.  Salesforce is a leading CRM platform, largely preferred for its extensive suite of features and functionalities. It offers high-level customization tools and advanced predictive analytics. Therefore, Salesforce is ideal for growing businesses, complex sales organizations, and large enterprises with deeper needs for configurability and scalability.  HubSpot vs. Salesforce: A High-Level Comparison Beyond Features When organizations evaluate Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions, Salesforce and HubSpot frequently appear on their shortlists. While many online resources focus on feature-by-feature comparisons, this post takes a different approach—highlighting the key strategic differences between the two platforms. Why a Features-First Approach Isn’t Enough Editorial Note: We do not earn commissions from vendors covered on this site. Vendor Overviews Both Salesforce (founded 1999) and HubSpot (founded 2006) are leading CRM providers with strong market presence. Products & Evolution Marketing & Sales Dominance Key Differences to Consider 1. Scope & Complexity “HubSpot has a higher floor; Salesforce has a significantly higher ceiling.” — Reddit User 2. Native vs. Integrated Marketing 3. Consultant & App Ecosystems 4. Pricing Models 5. AI & Automation 6. Business Process Automation 7. User Experience (UX) Final Considerations Which is right for you? Before making a decision, evaluate your unique business needs—not just the platform differences. Investing in flexible CRM software improves efficiency through task automation and creates an invaluable information resource for your employees. Key Differences at a Glance Feature HubSpot Salesforce Marketing Cloud Growth Ideal Use Case Inbound marketing Omnichannel customer journeys and outbound sales and marketing communications, and inbound marketing Best for Small Business X Best for Mid-Market X Best for Enterprise X Software Categories Ranked #1 in 69 164 5 Star Customer Reviews 8260 15055 Positive Reviews of Ease of Use 1095 4674 All Salesforce plans let you send 5,000 email marketing campaign messages daily — a generous allowance we haven’t seen from any other provider. Here are some of the core capabilities of Salesforce Marketing Cloud: Salesforce has powerful APIs and a vast array of third-party integrations that can efficiently handle diverse business processes and requirements. Additionally, the CRM offers various tools and options for ease of use and rapid scaling. It is a reliable cloud solution that can help businesses dive deeper into data-driven decision-making to optimize sales and operations. Key Features in HubSpot Marketing Hub From automation features for attracting, nurturing, and converting leads to blogging, SEO, and ad management, HubSpot has some value to offer marketers while lacking the robust features of Marketing Cloud. Here are some of the core features of this solution: Customization and Flexibility HubSpot Salesforce Customization Custom objects, display information, basic API support, UI extensions, but with limitations Customizable sales view, standard tabs, record types, page layouts, cust fields, help, content, and business processes with in-depth customization for your business App integrations HubSpot App Marketplace for app integrations Extensive AppExchange library with more than 7000 apps Although HubSpot offers customization for display, layouts, and data models, there are limited options. The HubSpot App Marketplace also helps with swift app integrations. However, it can’t beat Salesforce in customization and flexibility.  With Salesforce, you get high-level customization features, allowing you to set up your data, websites, layouts, configurations, records, fields, interfaces, and several other options the way you want. The AppExchange platform offers ready-to-install third-party applications, building blocks, pre-built templates, scalable data solutions, guides, and other relevant resources for CRM processes.  Best for Pricing Salesforce wins because its entry-level plan is more feature-packed than HubSpot’s and providees 5,000 free daily emails. Additionally, if you desire more features, the price jump from Starter to Pro isn’t as jarring as HubSpot’s jump from Starter to Professional. Detailed Platform Comparison 1. Target Audience HubSpot excels for: Salesforce Marketing Cloud Growth is built for: 2. Core Capabilities HubSpot Strengths: SFMC Growth Advantages: This platform offers many marketing tools in one centralized place. They’re all part of two unique modules: Builders and Studios. Salesforce comes out ahead in the category of reporting and anlytics thanks to its comprehensive toolset and visually appealing dashboards. The AI-powered Einstein tool and its predictive anlaytics and decision-making support add real value. 3. Implementation Factor HubSpot SFMC Growth Setup Time 36 days 17 days Training Needed 10-20 hours 15-20 hours HubSpot can build customized onboarding plans that are aligned with specific business goals. It extends technical and strategic guidance to help users at every step. Moreover, the HubSpot academy further helps with implementation strategies and continuous support through unlimited access to onboarding content, playlists, boot camps, and communities. For smoother onboarding, Salesforce offers detailed product documentation, demos, and learning resources. Its extensive self-help portal and user community make it even easier to onboard new customers. The Trailhead training system is a go-to resource for exploring Salesforce and caters to learners at all levels and roles. Key Takeaway: HubSpot offers a better user experience and ensures smoother onboarding. However, businesses willing to invest time and resources in understanding functionalities and enhancing their workforce skills with proper training can go with Salesforce. 4. AI & Automation HubSpot AI: Salesforce Einstein: User Experience Reviews Cons of HubSpot Decision Guide Choose HubSpot if you: Choose SFMC Growth if you: The Bottom Line Long-term scalability: Which platform better supports growth and complexity HubSpot allows businesses to expand their operations with increasing users, marketing intact tiers, unlimited workflow automation, and other add-ons. These options are best for startups and small-scale businesses. However, it lacks the advanced customization, analytics, and reporting features required for complex business needs. Salesforce is a top-tier CRM tool that

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top ai sales tools

Salesforce’s 7 Top AI Sales Tools and Software for 2025

Based on Erin Hueffner, Writer, Salesblazer. article Your AI Sales Tools can double the sales calls generated from inbound leads! They can convert 40% more customers! AI-driven automation can eliminate many time-consuming and repetitive tasks and accelerate workflows. Sales AI tools often use algorithms to automate sales operations, like adding information from customer calls and emails to a CRM database. AI can also streamline several key follow-ups to prospects after a sales call. Reclaim Your Selling Time with AI Sales Tools What if you could spend less time on admin and more time closing deals? Manual tasks like updating CRMs, drafting emails, and compiling reports drain productivity—and our State of Sales research shows 67% of reps risk missing quotas, partly due to inefficient tech stacks. AI sales tools are changing the game. By automating workflows, analyzing data, and personalizing outreach, they empower teams to focus on what truly drives revenue: building relationships and sealing deals. Here’s how AI is revolutionizing sales—and the top tools to help your team work smarter. What Are AI Sales Tools? AI sales tools leverage automation, machine learning, and predictive analytics to:✅ Eliminate busywork (data entry, scheduling, note-taking)✅ Uncover insights (lead scoring, deal forecasts, market trends)✅ Enhance engagement (personalized emails, call coaching, real-time recommendations) For SMBs, AI acts as a smart assistant; for enterprises, it scales into predictive forecasting and pipeline optimization. The result? Reps spend less time on logistics and more time selling. How AI Sales Tools Work These tools integrate with your CRM to: The impact is clear: 83% of AI-powered teams grew revenue last year vs. 66% without AI. 9 Top AI Sales Tools (Rated 4+ Stars) Curated from G2 and Capterra, these platforms excel in usability, features, and ROI. 1. Salesforce (Sales Cloud) 2. Outreach 3. Apollo.io 4. Pipedrive 5. Gong 6. Salesloft 7. APE AI 8. Clari 9. Instantly AI 5 Must-Have AI Sales Tool Features Trends Shaping AI Sales Tools in 2024 🔮 Deeper Analytics: AI spots hidden pipeline opportunities.🤖 Autonomous Assistants: Tools like Agentforce handle lead nurturing 24/7.🔒 Tighter Security: Encryption and privacy controls are non-negotiable.🛠️ Bias Guardrails: AI outputs are fact-checked to maintain trust. How to Choose the Right Tool The Bottom Line AI sales tools aren’t just about efficiency—they’re revenue multipliers. By automating grunt work and sharpening strategy, they help teams: Ready to upgrade your sales stack? The right AI tool can turn missed quotas into exceeded targets. Key Takeaways: Which sales task would you automate first? Let us know in the comments. 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

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Salesforce Field Service

Field Service Mobile Data Capture

Field Service Mobile Data Capture Using Discovery Framework Offline-Capable Dynamic Forms for Field Teams Transform field service operations with intelligent, structured data collection powered by Salesforce’s Discovery Framework. This solution enables: ✔ Offline functionality – Capture data without internet connectivity✔ Dynamic forms – Build responsive question flows in Flow Builder✔ Centralized question bank – Reuse and version assessment questions✔ Full audit trail – Track all form submissions and revisions Solution Capabilities Key Features Implementation Guide Prerequisites Setup Process Technical Considerations Supported Data Types Discovery Framework Type Flow Component Use Case Example Single-Select Picklist Radio Buttons Equipment Condition Multi-Select Picklist Checkbox Group Required Repairs Number Input Field Measurement Reading Date Date Picker Service Completion Text Text Area Customer Feedback Error Handling Mobile User Experience Field technicians can: Best Practices “Since implementing Discovery Framework forms, our first-time fix rate improved by 28% because technicians now capture complete information upfront,” reports Jessica Tan, Field Ops Director at Contoso Industrial. 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

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Agentforce to the Team

Redefining AI-Driven Customer Service

Salesforce’s Agentforce: Redefining AI-Driven Customer Service Salesforce has made major strides in AI-powered customer service with Agentforce, its agentic AI platform. The CRM leader now resolves 85% of customer queries without human intervention—an achievement driven by three key factors: Speaking at the Agentforce World Tour, Salesforce Co-Founder & CTO Parker Harris emphasized the platform’s role in handling vast volumes of customer interactions. The remaining 15% of queries are escalated to human agents for higher-value interactions, ensuring complex issues receive the necessary expertise. “We’re all shocked by the power of these LLMs. AI has truly hit a tipping point over the past two years,” Harris said. Currently, Agentforce manages 30,000 weekly conversations for Salesforce, proving its growing impact. Yet, the journey to adoption wasn’t without its challenges. From Caution to Acceleration: Agentforce’s Evolution Initially, Salesforce approached the Agentforce rollout with caution, concerned about AI hallucinations and accuracy. However, the company ultimately embraced a learn-by-doing approach. “So, we went for it!” Harris recalled. “We put it out there and improved it every hour. Every interaction helped us refine it.” This iterative process led to significant advancements, with Agentforce now seamlessly handling a high volume of inquiries. Expanding Beyond Customer Support Agentforce’s impact extends beyond customer service—it’s also revolutionizing sales operations at Salesforce. The platform acts as a virtual sales coach for 25,000 sales representatives, offering real-time guidance without the social pressures of a human supervisor. “Salespeople aren’t embarrassed to ask an AI coach questions, which makes them more effective,” Harris noted. This AI-driven coaching has enhanced sales efficiency and confidence, allowing teams to perform at a higher level. Real-World Impact and Competitive Edge Salesforce isn’t just promoting Agentforce—it’s using it to prove its value. Harris shared success stories, including reMarkable, which automated 35% of its customer service inquiries, reducing workload by 7,350 queries per month. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff highlighted this competitive edge during the launch of Agentforce 2.0, pointing out that while many companies talk about AI adoption, few truly implement it at scale. “When you visit their websites, you still find a lot of forms and FAQs—but not a lot of AI agents,” Benioff said. He specifically called out Microsoft, stating: “If you look for Co-Pilot on their website, or how they’re automating support, it’s the same as it was two years ago.” Microsoft pushed back on Benioff’s critique, sparking a war of words between the tech giants. What’s Next for Salesforce? Beyond AI-driven service and sales, Salesforce is making bold moves in IT Service Management (ITSM), positioning itself against competitors like ServiceNow. During a recent Motley Fool podcast, Benioff hinted at Salesforce’s ITSM ambitions, stating: “We’re building new apps, like ITSM.” At the TrailheadDX event, Salesforce teased this new product, signaling its expansion into enterprise IT management—a move that could shake up the ITSM landscape. With AI agents redefining work across industries, Salesforce’s aggressive push into automation and ITSM underscores its vision for the future of enterprise AI. 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

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From Chatbots to Agentic AI

Where is AI Going?

The evolution of AI capabilities is an ongoing process, driven by research, technological advancements, and the increasing demand for more sophisticated AI systems. Here are some key areas where we can expect the next evolution of AI: 1. Enhanced Reasoning and Decision-Making 2. Generalization and Transfer Learning 3. Multimodal AI 4. Ethical and Responsible AI 5. AI in Edge Computing 6. Neuro-Symbolic AI 7. Autonomous Learning and Self-Improvement 8. AI for Complex Systems Management 9. Human-AI Collaboration 10. Quantum AI The next evolution of AI will likely be characterized by these advancements, focusing not only on technical capabilities but also on ethical considerations, societal impact, and the integration of AI into daily life in a more seamless and beneficial manner. If you need visual representations or further detailed explanations on any specific aspect, let me know, and I can generate images or delve deeper into these topics. 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

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AI Agent Revolution

AI Agent Revolution

The AI Agent Revolution: How AWS, Salesforce, and Oracle See the Future of Work Executives from AWS, Salesforce, and Oracle believe artificial intelligence (AI) agents are set to redefine work in ways many may not expect. These AI-driven systems promise to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and transform the way businesses interact with technology. The Future of AI Agents in Action Imagine a world where: Swami Sivasubramanian, AWS’s vice president of agentic AI, describes this shift as a fundamental leap forward. Unlike earlier AI models, these agents don’t just generate content—they reason, plan, and execute tasks. They can research, pay bills, manage enterprise applications, and break down high-level objectives into actionable steps. Sivasubramanian envisions a “fully AI world” where agents autonomously make decisions, automate workflows, and coordinate with minimal human oversight. But, as he points out, this isn’t a distant future—it’s happening now. Companies like Genentech are using AI agents to accelerate drug research, cutting timelines by nearly five years. Moody’s has reduced its credit risk reporting process from a week to under an hour. These breakthroughs illustrate the vast potential of AI-driven automation. Salesforce’s ‘Limitless Labor’ Approach Salesforce is also at the forefront of AI agent adoption with Agentforce, a platform that has seen overwhelming demand since its launch. More than 5,000 customers signed up in its first full quarter, signaling a strong appetite for AI-driven automation. Adam Evans, EVP and GM of Salesforce AI, describes AI agents as creating a “limitless labor” pool. These agents are already supporting Salesforce’s own customers, resolving 97% of inquiries without human intervention. The next evolution, according to Evans, involves AI agents acting as brand ambassadors—not just answering questions, but understanding customer needs, driving sales, and providing personalized support. Salesforce categorizes AI agents into three types: Early adopters like Wiley Publishing have reported a 40% increase in customer satisfaction due to AI-driven customer service, while Pfizer is leveraging AI agents in life sciences. To support this transformation, Salesforce has introduced flexible pricing models, allowing companies to transition from traditional seat-based pricing to AI consumption-based structures. AI Agents as the New Enterprise Interface Oracle sees AI agents as the future interface for enterprise software, eliminating the need for users to adapt to complex systems. “Let’s stop adapting ourselves to computers and make them adapt to us,” said Miranda Nash, group vice president at Oracle AI. In this vision, users no longer navigate Oracle’s software through menus—they simply ask questions, and AI agents handle the rest through sophisticated, multi-agent workflows. Oracle is embedding AI agents across key business functions, including: As AI transforms work, Nash, Evans, and Sivasubramanian acknowledge concerns about job displacement. However, they emphasize that AI agents augment human roles rather than replace them. At Salesforce, employees previously assigned to repetitive support tasks are now moving into higher-value roles like customer success and sales. Meanwhile, AWS’s AI deployment has saved Amazon 4,500 developer years’ worth of work and over $250 million in capital expenses. “The only option now is to get in the cloud, embrace AI agents, and meet the future of work,” Nash concluded. 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

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Salesforce’s Marketing Intelligence

Salesforce’s Marketing Intelligence

Introducing Salesforce’s Marketing Intelligence: The Future of Marketing Analytics For the past dozen years, many marketers have been enamored with a powerful marketing analytics tool—Datorama, now known as Salesforce Marketing Cloud Intelligence (MCI). Regarded as one of the most seamless solutions for unifying data across multiple sources, MCI was built by marketers for marketers. It enables users to effortlessly combine data, generate reports, and build dashboards using plain language and pre-built data models. Whether for simple smart-lens dashboards or complex automated reporting triggered by specific events, MCI has been a game-changer. To the delight of marketers everywhere, Salesforce announced on March 18, 2025, a new evolution of the tool: Marketing Intelligence (MI). Built on the Salesforce Platform, MI takes the best of MCI and integrates it with Data Cloud’s unified architecture while introducing agentic AI features that deliver actionable, conversational insights. So, without further ado, let’s explore this exciting new tool. What Is Marketing Intelligence? Marketing Intelligence (MI) is a new Salesforce application designed to simplify marketing data management, deliver trustworthy insights, and maximize marketing ROI. Built on Data Cloud and deeply connected to the Salesforce ecosystem, MI is fully extensible—equipping marketers with everything they need to create powerful, meaningful dashboards with minimal effort. Data Cloud for Marketers, Made Easy One of the standout features of MCI has always been its AI-powered data mapping, which auto-populates based on past usage and logical predictions. Additionally, many APIs come with prebuilt models, reducing the need for manual configuration. These capabilities have helped marketers transition smoothly into data modeling and dashboarding without requiring deep technical expertise. Happily, MI retains and enhances these features. Users can upload a TotalConnect file (a flat file of their choice) or connect via API—with options like Google Ads available at launch and more integrations coming soon. Selecting a connection like Google Ads pulls in formatted data, ready for quick mapping, allowing users to build dashboards in just three clicks. Clean, Intuitive Dashboards MI’s dashboards are sleek, fast-loading, and prebuilt—yet fully customizable. A major upgrade over MCI is the inclusion of generative AI summaries, which analyze campaigns and highlight what’s working (and what isn’t). This feature represents the future of dashboarding: not just displaying data trends but explaining them in plain language and suggesting next steps. Marketers can even ask their AI agent to take action based on these insights, streamlining optimization like never before. This functionality is particularly valuable in large implementations where different users extract different insights from the same dashboard. Instead of manually interpreting data, marketers can now ask their AI agent for recommendations—saving time and reducing guesswork. Harmonized Data Across Channels The core goal of any marketing analytics tool—whether Data Cloud, MCI, or MI—is to unify cross-channel data into actionable insights. Beyond standardized API mapping, MI harmonizes fields across datasets and uses a semantic model to logically connect data (e.g., aligning campaign names across paid media, CRM, and other tools—even when naming conventions differ). For Existing MCI Users: What’s New? Many longtime MCI users may wonder: Can a new version really live up to the original? The answer? Absolutely. Here’s why: 1. Normalization, Simplified In MCI, joining messy and clean data often requires manual effort—using formulas or restructuring campaigns. MI changes that. With Einstein AI-powered normalization, users can automatically standardize data without manual adjustments, making cross-channel reporting smoother than ever. 2. Semantic Modeling Flexibility While MCI offers prebuilt data models, MI introduces semantic modeling, allowing users to define custom relationships across datasets. This means greater flexibility in structuring data, adding fields, and evolving models as business needs change—all while maintaining seamless integration with Salesforce objects. 3. ROI & Attribution, Supercharged The best MCI implementations tie cost/engagement data to real ROI. MI takes this further by integrating with Sales Cloud objects, enabling clearer ROI visualization. Additionally, attribution modeling is now more robust, with support for first- and last-touch attribution—helping marketers validate performance and optimize spend. For New Users: Why Choose MI? 1. Best-in-Class Data Harmonization MCI has long been the gold standard for unifying marketing data. Now, MI enhances this with Data Cloud integration, AI normalization, and three-click setup—making it the ultimate solution for marketers. 2. Smarter, Faster Visualizations While MCI offers strong visualization options, MI improves on two key pain points: 3. Unmatched Customization Want to dynamically rename campaigns, merge traffic sources, or filter data based on custom logic? MI makes it possible with pattern extraction, semantic-layer calculated fields, and Einstein normalization—giving marketers unprecedented control. A New Era for Marketing Analytics Marketing Intelligence launched on March 18, 2025 (requiring Data Cloud and MI licenses). Marketers eager to explore this next-generation tool should contact their Salesforce account executive. MI represents a leap forward in intelligent dashboarding, streamlining marketing data in ways MCI only hinted at. For data-driven marketers, the future is here—and it’s more powerful than ever. 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

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Salesforce Einstein Discovery

Salesforce Einstein Discovery

Unlock the Power of Historical Salesforce Data with Einstein Discovery Streamline Access to Historical Insights Salesforce Einstein Discovery (formerly Salesforce Discover) eliminates the complexity of manual data extraction, giving you instant access to complete historical Salesforce data—without maintaining pipelines or infrastructure. 🔹 Effortless Trend Analysis – Track changes across your entire org over time.🔹 Seamless Reporting – Accelerate operational insights with ready-to-use historical data.🔹 Cost Efficiency – Reduce overhead by retrieving trend data from backups instead of production. Why Use Historical Backup Data for Analytics? Most organizations struggle with incomplete or outdated SaaS data, making trend analysis slow and unreliable. With Einstein Discovery, you can:✅ Eliminate data gaps – Access every historical change in your Salesforce org.✅ Speed up decision-making – Feed clean, structured data directly to BI tools.✅ Cut infrastructure costs – Skip costly ETL processes and data warehouses. Einstein Discovery vs. Traditional Data Warehouses Traditional Approach Einstein Discovery Requires ETL pipelines & data warehouses No pipelines needed – backups auto-update Needs ongoing engineering maintenance Zero maintenance – always in sync with your org Limited historical visibility Full change history with minute-level accuracy 💡 Key Advantage: Einstein Discovery automates what used to take months of data engineering. How It Works Einstein Discovery leverages Salesforce Backup & Recover to:🔹 Track every field & record change in real time.🔹 Feed historical data directly to Tableau, Power BI, or other BI tools.🔹 Stay schema-aware – no manual adjustments needed. AI-Powered Predictive Analytics Beyond historical data, Einstein Discovery uses AI and machine learning to:🔮 Predict outcomes (e.g., sales forecasts, churn risk).📊 Surface hidden trends with automated insights.🛠 Suggest improvements (e.g., “Increase deal size by focusing on X”). Supported Use Cases: ✔ Regression (e.g., revenue forecasting)✔ Binary Classification (e.g., “Will this lead convert?”)✔ Multiclass Classification (e.g., “Which product will this customer buy?”) Deploy AI Insights Across Salesforce Once trained, models can be embedded in:📌 Lightning Pages📌 Experience Cloud📌 Tableau Dashboards📌 Salesforce Flows & Automation Get Started with Einstein Discovery 🔹 License Required: CRM Analytics Plus or Einstein Predictions.🔹 Data Prep: Pull from Salesforce or external sources.🔹 Bias Detection: Ensure ethical AI with built-in fairness checks. Transform raw data into actionable intelligence—without coding. Talk to your Salesforce rep to enable Einstein Discovery today! 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

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