Sales channels are the platforms or methods through which a business sells its products or services to customers. These channels can be direct (e.g., e-commerce sites and retail stores) or indirect (e.g., resellers and marketplaces). Some businesses rely on a single channel, while others use a mix of several.
Transform Your Perspective: From CRM to End-to-End Platform Unleash the power of Salesforce to supercharge your Sales and Service teams. “To sell, you must be your own customer. If it works for you, it’ll work for others as well.” This philosophy drives us to share how you can elevate your Salesforce implementation to unlock its full potential. Our expertise, honed through diverse projects and use cases, has equipped us with strategies to tackle today’s challenges effectively. If you’ve ever felt like your Salesforce platform has untapped potential, you’re not alone. Many organizations encounter roadblocks that limit adoption and the full utilization of cloud solutions. But it’s time to change that. Here are three strategies to help you transform your Sales Cloud and Service Cloud, maximizing their value and creating a competitive edge. 1. Maximize Your Salesforce License: Do More with What You Have Have you explored all that Salesforce has to offer? Start by examining the manual or repetitive processes in your organization—things like spreadsheets or outdated workflows that operate outside your core platform. Salesforce provides tools to digitize and optimize these tasks: By digitizing these workflows, you’ll free up your teams to focus on strategic initiatives while also reducing errors and increasing efficiency. 2. Foster a Learning Culture: The Key to Driving Innovation The success of any digital transformation goes beyond technology—it starts with people. Without proper training and an emphasis on learning, even the most advanced platform can fail to deliver. Salesforce’s Trailhead is an excellent resource to cultivate a culture of learning. We recommend these two modules for leaders and teams: Additionally, partnering with experts like Tectonic ensures tailored training and adoption strategies, helping your teams unlock the platform’s full potential. 3. Leverage Data: Unlock Your Organization’s Hidden Gold Your company’s data is one of its most valuable assets, and if you’ve been using Salesforce for years, you may already have a treasure trove of insights waiting to be leveraged. Enter Agentforce, the evolution of Salesforce’s ‘Copilot.’ Powered by AI, Agentforce automates repetitive tasks, enabling your sales and service teams to focus on high-value activities like closing deals and delivering exceptional service. At Tectonic, we specialize in implementing Agentforce seamlessly and at scale. Our expertise ensures that your data is optimized, empowering your business with actionable insights and AI-driven capabilities. The Tectonic Advantage: Expertise Meets Innovation At Tectonic, we blend deep technical expertise in Salesforce with insights gained from countless successful projects. Through our cross-cloud methodology, we bring together ideas from across industries to solve traditional Salesforce implementation challenges and drive innovation. It’s Time to Act… Transform your Salesforce experience from a basic CRM to an end-to-end platform that drives growth and efficiency. Let’s work together to unlock your platform’s hidden potential and empower your teams to achieve more. Ready to redefine your Salesforce journey? Connect with 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
Transforming Nonprofit Operations with Salesforce: Lessons from a Real-Life Success Story Actionable insights for nonprofits to streamline operations and amplify impact-Salesforce Strategies to Improve a Nonprofit Running a nonprofit is challenging enough without the added frustration of disjointed systems. Many nonprofits grapple with scattered databases, isolated email tools, and incompatible fundraising platforms, resulting in inefficiencies and operational headaches. When systems operate in silos, teams waste time on manual data entry and backtracking, which hinders program delivery and donor engagement—putting the mission at risk. Enter Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud, a transformative platform designed to centralize operations, improve donor communication, and provide actionable insights. With 93% of Salesforce users reporting positive ROI, the platform empowers nonprofits to focus on what matters most: driving impact. Salesforce can revolutionize nonprofit operations. Case Study: Supporting Families Through Salesforce Client: Children’s Organization for displaced children in Ukraine Mission: To help children separated from their families during the war in Ukraine by providing bilingual, family-narrated audiobooks and beautifully illustrated storybooks. Challenge:While Better Time Stories had a meaningful mission, their operational processes were a roadblock. Their delivery system struggled with: The Approach 1. Goals Set Results With these optimizations, Better Time Stories significantly improved delivery success: Continuous system support ensured seamless operations and enhanced the organization’s ability to meet its mission. Key Strategies for Nonprofits Using Salesforce 1. Automate Donation and Impact Tracking 2. Personalize Donor Journeys 3. Create Custom Workflows 4. Integrate Salesforce with Other Tools 5. Enable Advanced Reporting 6. Build Volunteer and Beneficiary Portals 7. Leverage AI for Strategic Decisions 8. Design Scalable Data Architecture 9. Conduct Regular Health Checks Conclusion Nonprofits need solutions that simplify operations and maximize impact. Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud offers the tools to centralize processes, enhance donor engagement, and drive mission-critical outcomes. By following these strategies and working with an experienced implementation partner, your nonprofit can achieve operational excellence and focus on delivering meaningful results. Ready to transform your nonprofit operations with Salesforce? Let’s make it happen! Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems are the backbone of modern business operations, orchestrating customer interactions, data management, and process automation. As businesses embrace advanced AI, the potential for transformative growth is clear—automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and enhancing operational efficiency. However, deploying large language model (LLM) agents in CRM systems demands rigorous, real-world evaluations to ensure they meet the complexity and dynamic needs of professional environments.
GoTo Adds AI-Powered Integrations to GoTo Connect for Enhanced CRM Connectivity GoTo has introduced advanced AI-driven integrations between its GoTo Connect platform and major CRM systems to deliver seamless connectivity and improve customer experience (CX) across various channels. GoTo Connect’s newly integrated CRM platforms include Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, ServiceNow, MS Dynamics, Freshdesk, Zendesk, and more, enabling businesses to manage customer interactions more effectively. Enhanced Customer Relationship Management Olga Lagunova, Chief Product and Technology Officer at GoTo, emphasized the impact of these integrations on customer relationships:“Working across multiple systems can be inefficient and time-consuming, detracting from valuable customer service time. Our new GoTo Connect integrations enhance how businesses interact with customers by centralizing workflows within the platform,” Lagunova noted. “Our AI capabilities, like call summaries and recordings stored directly in CRMs, empower teams to work smarter within their preferred tools.” New AI-Driven Features With this update, GoTo Connect automatically generates and stores AI-based call summaries and transcriptions within CRM contact records. This streamlined process gives teams faster access to comprehensive customer profiles, reducing manual tasks and increasing efficiency. The system also stores call and message details automatically in the CRM, maintaining a full history of interactions to support a seamless customer journey. A recent Zendesk study cited by GoTo revealed that over 70% of customers are frustrated by needing to repeat information to different service agents. GoTo Connect addresses this by providing agents with a unified view of customer data and current conversations, helping reduce silos and improve service quality. Streamlined Workflows and Insights Beyond call summaries, GoTo Connect’s integration offers screen pop-ups displaying customer details for agents, contact syncing, click-to-call features, call and messaging logs, and voicemail transcriptions. These features help teams respond more promptly and accurately to customer inquiries. Expanding on GoTo Connect CX In related news, GoTo recently launched GoTo Connect CX, combining its virtual phone system with AI-powered tools to create enhanced, efficient CX solutions for businesses of all sizes, while reducing operational costs. The new integrations and GoTo Connect CX are now available to all GoTo Connect customers, reflecting GoTo’s commitment to unifying customer service tools for a better, more connected experience. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
With all the buzz in the news about AI, it may feel like AI is everywhere. In fact, as of 2023, over 80% of global companies report adopting AI to enhance their business operations. This means if your company isn’t yet leveraging AI to strengthen customer relationships, you risk falling behind. The good news is that Salesforce CRM already comes with a suite of AI tools ready for use. In this insight, we’ll explore how combining quality data, AI, and Salesforce can help you build more meaningful, lasting relationships with your customers. How Does Salesforce Use AI? Salesforce offers various built-in functionalities to create customizable, predictive, and generative AI experiences tailored to your business needs. One standout tool is Agentforce, which enables the creation of autonomous AI agents. If you have numerous routine tasks but limited staff, Agentforce could be the solution. For instance, if you lack an in-house customer support agent, Agentforce can build an AI service agent to handle incoming cases, responding intuitively in real-time. Not enough sales reps? No problem—create an AI sales agent to manage records, interact with leads, answer questions, and schedule meetings. Another significant AI feature is generative AI in Salesforce. According to KPMG, 77% of executives believe generative AI will have a more profound societal impact in the next three to five years than any other emerging technology. So, how can it improve your business? Salesforce’s in-house LLM, xGen, helps you generate human-like text and create original visual content from existing data or user input. This capability can enhance user experiences by automating the generation of dynamic and personalized imagery for applications. Generative AI also transforms how users interact with and consume data. Complex datasets can now be converted into easily understandable formats—visualizations, charts, or graphs—generated from natural language prompts. These insights make data accessible, enabling users to share knowledge and drive informed decisions. How Can You Use AI to Improve Customer Relationships? AI is reshaping business models, workflows, and customer engagement. By harnessing quality data, AI, and Salesforce, you can enhance how you connect with customers. Here are key ways to leverage this combination for a smarter customer strategy: Challenges You May Encounter on Your AI Journey Adopting AI in Salesforce, especially Einstein AI, offers many benefits, but it also comes with challenges. Here are some factors to consider for a successful rollout: Importance of Data Quality When Using AI Analytics Data quality is essential for AI accuracy and reliability. Poor data can skew predictions and erode user trust. Key factors that contribute to high data quality include: AI can also enhance data quality by automating data validation and cleansing. Machine learning algorithms can detect and address anomalies, duplicate records, and incomplete datasets, improving the reliability of your data over time. The Future of CRM: AI-Driven Customer Engagement and Business Growth Integrating AI into Salesforce is revolutionizing CRM by enabling businesses to engage with customers more intelligently. From automating routine tasks to enhancing decision-making and delivering personalized communication, AI-driven innovations are empowering businesses to build stronger relationships with customers. As AI continues to evolve, those who embrace it will gain a competitive edge and drive long-term growth. The future of CRM is here—and it’s smarter, faster, and more customer-focused than ever. 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
In the current age of digital transformation, effective data migration is essential, especially as cloud adoption accelerates. Research from Foundry reveals that 63% of IT leaders have increased their cloud migrations, but 90% face challenges—primarily budgetary constraints. This highlights the importance of thoughtful planning and strategic execution. In this context, we’ll explore the significance of successful Salesforce data migration and present a nine-step roadmap to ensure a seamless transition. Additionally, we’ll cover solutions for data preparation and the top five Salesforce data migration tools that can help turn migration challenges into growth opportunities. Salesforce Data Migration ChecklistDownload our e-book to quickly and efficiently migrate data from Excel spreadsheets and CRM systems to Salesforce. Why is Data Migration Important?In 2010, I bought my first smartphone and struggled to transfer data from my outdated phone. My contacts were vital, but the old phone lacked proper data transfer options. Determined not to re-enter everything manually, I searched for a solution. Eventually, I found a method to extract data into a CSV file, which I converted to vCard format to transfer successfully. This experience reinforced how essential data migration is—not only for businesses but also for everyday situations. For organizations looking to modernize, data migration is a crucial step in upgrading IT infrastructure. It enables smooth transitions from legacy systems to modern platforms like Salesforce, enhancing efficiency, scalability, and data accessibility. Effective data migration improves data management, reduces costs tied to outdated systems, and supports better decision-making through improved analytics. It also ensures data integrity and security, aligning IT capabilities with evolving business needs, fostering innovation, and keeping a competitive edge. What is Data Migration in Salesforce?Whether you are already using Salesforce or considering adoption, one common question arises: “How do I migrate my data to Salesforce?” Salesforce data migration involves moving information from external systems like legacy CRMs or local databases into Salesforce. This process is critical not only for protecting data integrity but also for enabling better decision-making, improving customer service, and promoting organizational growth. A well-planned data migration strategy ensures a smooth transition to Salesforce, maximizing its potential and enhancing business efficiency. 9-Step Salesforce Data Migration PlanPreparing for a Salesforce data migration? Follow these nine essential steps for a seamless process: Need Help with Data Migration to Salesforce?We offer consulting services to guide you through the data migration process, from auditing data sources to executing the migration strategy. Tectonic is here to help. Top 5 Salesforce Data Migration ToolsHere’s a quick comparison of five Salesforce data migration tools to help you choose the right solution: For hassle-free data migration, reach out to Tectonic for a tailored plan that minimizes downtime and maximizes operational efficiency. 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
Salesforce Doubles Down on AI Innovation with Agentforce Salesforce, renowned for its CRM software used by over 150,000 businesses, including Amazon and Walmart, continues to push the boundaries of innovation. Beyond its flagship CRM, Salesforce also owns Slack, the popular workplace communication app. Now, the company is taking its AI capabilities to the next level with Agentforce—a platform that empowers businesses to build and deploy AI-powered digital agents for automating tasks such as creating sales reports and summarizing Slack conversations. What Problem Does Agentforce Solve? Salesforce has been leveraging AI for years, starting with the launch of Einstein in 2016. Einstein’s initial capabilities were limited to basic, scriptable tasks. However, the rise of generative AI created an opportunity to tackle more complex challenges, enabling tools to make smarter decisions and interpret natural language. This evolution led to a series of innovations—Einstein GPT, Einstein Copilot, and now Agentforce—a flexible platform offering prebuilt and customizable agents designed to meet diverse business needs. “Our customers wanted more. Some wanted to tweak the agents we offer, while others wanted to create their own,” said Tyler Carlson, Salesforce’s VP of Business Development. The Technology Behind Agentforce Agentforce is powered by Salesforce’s Atlas Reasoning Engine, developed in-house to drive smarter decision-making. The platform integrates with AI models from leading providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, Amazon, and Google, offering businesses a variety of tools to choose from. Slack, which Salesforce acquired in 2021, plays a pivotal role as a testing ground for these AI agents. Currently in beta, Agentforce’s Slack integration allows businesses to implement automations directly where employees work, enhancing usability. “Slack makes these tools easy to use and accessible,” Carlson noted. How Agentforce Stands Out Customizing AI for Business Needs With tools like Agentbuilder, businesses can create AI agents tailored to specific tasks. For instance, an agent could prioritize and sort incoming emails, respond to HR inquiries, or handle customer support using internal data. One standout example is Salesforce’s partnership with Workday to develop an AI-powered service agent for employee questions. Driving Results and Adoption Salesforce has already seen promising results from early trials, with Agentforce resolving 90% of customer inquiries autonomously. The company aims to expand adoption and functionality, allowing these agents to handle even larger workloads. “We’re building a bigger ecosystem of partners and skills,” Carlson emphasized. “By next year, we want Agentforce to be a must-have for businesses.” With Agentforce, Salesforce continues to cement its role as a leader in AI innovation, helping businesses work smarter, faster, and more effectively. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
NetSuite Bets on Strategic Growth and Embraces Collaboration with Salesforce Growing on All Fronts At SuiteWorld 2024, the theme, “All Systems Grow,” reflected a pivotal moment for NetSuite. While the event lacked groundbreaking announcements, it showcased a fulfillment of past promises and a notable strategic shift toward openness and collaboration. Oracle and NetSuite are now welcoming competitors as partners, signaling a move toward interoperability that could redefine their market positioning. With over 40,000 customers, NetSuite continues its strong growth in the ERP space, particularly among SMBs. The company’s Q3 sales surged 20% year-over-year, underlining its momentum in the mid-market. Beyond traditional ERP capabilities, NetSuite’s expanded suite of solutions positions it as more than just an ERP provider. Delivering on AI Innovations While there were no splashy acquisitions, NetSuite made significant strides by rolling out 170 new modules and features, many leveraging AI. These enhancements blend predictive AI and generative AI to increase accuracy and user productivity. These updates aim to elevate both the platform’s quality and the efficiency of its users. Redwood Design: A Transformative User Experience NetSuite is adopting Oracle’s Redwood design language, promising a more intuitive and user-friendly interface. While Redwood is not new, its phased rollout within NetSuite is a significant step forward. Notable Additions: SuiteProcurement and Salesforce Integration SuiteProcurement: NetSuite’s new procurement automation solution integrates directly with Amazon Business and Staples Business Advantage, automating ordering, invoicing, approvals, and deliveries. Plans are underway to expand vendor support, offering broader applicability in the future. Salesforce Partnership: NetSuite’s most significant announcement was its strategic partnership with Salesforce, enabling real-time data exchange between the platforms. Evan Goldberg, NetSuite’s founder and EVP, explained the rationale:“It’s up to the customer to decide what software they want to use.” The partnership reflects NetSuite’s commitment to addressing customer needs, with more SaaS integrations expected in the future. Expanding Field Service Management (FSM) NetSuite’s Field Service Management (FSM) capabilities, acquired last year, are now better integrated into its platform. While development progress has been slower than anticipated, significant enhancements are expected in the coming year, leveraging Oracle technology to extend FSM’s functionality across industries. And Field Service Management is available in Salesforce, as well. Positioned for Continued SMB Growth NetSuite’s investments are yielding results, as demonstrated by its rapid growth and deeper integration of Oracle technology. The NetSuite Analytics Data Warehouse and Enterprise Performance Management are driving adoption among existing users, showcasing the platform’s scalability. NetSuite’s ability to quickly integrate Oracle updates into its infrastructure gives it a competitive edge, ensuring customers benefit from the latest innovations without delays. With its robust feature set, AI-powered tools, and strategic partnerships like the one with Salesforce, NetSuite has strengthened its position as a go-to ERP platform for SMBs. Its consistent 20% year-over-year growth indicates a bright future, making it an increasingly attractive option for mid-market businesses. 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
Microsoft and Salesforce’s AI Agent Rivalry Heats Up The battle for dominance in the AI agent space has escalated, with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff intensifying his criticism of Microsoft’s AI solutions. Following remarks at Dreamforce 2024, Benioff took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out Microsoft for what he called “rebranding Copilot as ‘agents’ in panic mode.” The AI Agent rivalry winner may be determined not by flashy features but by delivering tangible, transformative outcomes for businesses navigating the complexities of AI adoption. AI Agent Rivalry. Benioff didn’t hold back, labeling Microsoft’s Copilot as “a flop”, citing issues like data leaks, inaccuracies, and requiring customers to build their own large language models (LLMs). In contrast, he touted Salesforce’s Agentforce as a solution that autonomously drives sales, service, marketing, analytics, and commerce without the complications he attributes to Microsoft’s offerings. Microsoft’s Copilot: A New UI for AI Microsoft recently unveiled new autonomous agent capabilities for Copilot Studio and Dynamics 365, positioning these agents as tools to enhance productivity across teams and functions. CEO Satya Nadella described Copilot as “the UI for AI” and emphasized its flexibility, allowing businesses to create, manage, and integrate agents seamlessly. Despite the fanfare, Benioff dismissed Copilot’s updates, likening it to “Clippy 2.0” and claiming it fails to deliver accuracy or transformational impact. Salesforce Expands Agentforce with Strategic Partnerships At Dreamforce 2024, Salesforce unveiled its Agentforce Partner Network, a global ecosystem featuring collaborators like AWS, Google Cloud, IBM, and Workday. The move aims to bolster the capabilities of Agentforce, Salesforce’s AI-driven platform that delivers tailored, autonomous business solutions. Agentforce allows businesses to deploy customizable agents without complex coding. With features like the Agent Builder, users can craft workflows and instructions in natural language, making the platform accessible to both technical and non-technical teams. Flexibility and Customization: Salesforce vs. Microsoft Both Salesforce and Microsoft emphasize AI’s transformative potential, but their approaches differ: Generative AI vs. Predictive AI Salesforce has doubled down on generative AI, with Einstein GPT producing personalized content using CRM data while also providing predictive analytics to forecast customer behavior and sales outcomes. Microsoft, on the other hand, combines generative and predictive AI across its ecosystem. Copilot not only generates content but also performs autonomous decision-making in Dynamics 365 and Azure, positioning itself as a comprehensive enterprise solution. The Rise of Multi-Agent AI Systems The competition between Microsoft and Salesforce reflects a broader trend in AI-driven automation. Companies like OpenAI are experimenting with frameworks like Swarm, which simplifies the creation of interconnected AI agents for tasks such as lead generation and marketing campaign development. Similarly, startups like DevRev are introducing conversational AI builders to design custom agents, offering enterprises up to 95% task accuracy without the need for coding. What Lies Ahead in the AI Agent Landscape? As Salesforce and Microsoft push the boundaries of AI integration, businesses are evaluating these tools for their flexibility, customization, and impact on operations. While Salesforce leads in CRM-focused AI, Microsoft’s integrated approach appeals to enterprises seeking cross-functional AI solutions. In the end, the winner may be determined not by flashy features but by delivering tangible, transformative outcomes for businesses navigating the complexities of AI adoption. AI Agent Rivalry. 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
Agentforce Salesforce Agentforce in Action: A Practical Example of Using Agents in Salesforce Autonomous Agents on the Agentforce Platform Agentforce represents a transformative shift in Salesforce’s strategy, poised to redefine how users engage with their CRM. By introducing both assistive AI—enhanced by generative AI for capabilities like summaries and sales emails—and autonomous AI, which empowers agents to automate actions without human oversight, Agentforce helps users operate more efficiently in Salesforce. Despite the excitement around Agentforce, most blogs and marketing materials focus on AI hype rather than practical applications. This insight focuses on illustrating how these tools work and the tangible value they can provide for your organization’s custom processes. Curious about setting up Agentforce agents using both out-of-the-box actions and custom actions? Let’s dive in. What is Agentforce? Agentforce is Salesforce’s conversational AI tool for CRM. In simple terms, it lets users “talk” to Salesforce. Powered by generative AI and the Atlas Reasoning Engine, Agentforce processes user input to perform tasks like summarizing data from objects, updating fields, and generating content such as emails or knowledge articles. This innovative tool is only at the beginning of its journey, likely setting the stage for a future where CRM interactions may evolve beyond traditional form-based interfaces to more intuitive chatbot-style engagement. Scenario: Managing Sales Pipeline Consider a salesperson with the daily objectives of tracking deals, managing pipeline opportunities, and identifying potential risks. Traditionally, this would require manually navigating numerous Salesforce objects, risking data inconsistencies and user errors. Agentforce’s assistive actions can streamline much of this, automating processes to identify key deals, summarize progress, and track deal risks across the pipeline. Let’s take a closer look at configuring a custom action for a pipeline summary. All powered by Salesforce Agentforce. Step-by-Step Guide to Configuring a Pipeline Summary Action Agentforce Use Cases: Getting Started Agentforce offers powerful tools for implementing AI-based functions within Salesforce, but to realize productivity gains, consider the following: Agentforce’s standard actions are a great starting point, providing immediate productivity impacts that can be enhanced as you customize actions to meet specific needs. For tailored guidance on integrating Agentforce, explore Tectonic’s Salesforce Agentforce Consulting Services. Tectonic’s expertise can support your organization in optimizing user experience, boosting productivity, and training users to responsibly leverage Agentforce’s capabilities across industries and channels. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
Scarf Integrates Open Source Software Tracking Platform with Salesforce At KubeCon + CloudNativeCon 2024, Scarf announced the integration of its open-source software usage tracking platform with Salesforce CRM. This integration arrives as debates around the definition and economics of open source remain a hot topic in the tech community. Scarf also introduced updates to its platform, including enhanced event data correction and flagging capabilities for improved accuracy in company matching and attribution. New data filtering options were also added for more refined data exports. The Scarf platform enables IT vendors to identify organizations consuming open-source software at significant scale, presenting opportunities to offer additional support or promote commercial add-ons for open-source tools. To date, the Scarf gateway has tracked over seven billion events, connecting usage data to specific organizations via attributes such as internet addresses. Strengthening the Open Source Ecosystem Scarf CEO Avi Press emphasized the platform’s role in maintaining the economic viability of the open-source ecosystem, often in partnership with organizations like The Linux Foundation. Without these insights, fewer IT vendors would sponsor open-source projects, Press noted, which would hinder the ecosystem’s growth and sustainability. However, the open-source community frequently experiences friction. Licensing changes by IT vendors often lead to project forks, with contributors reverting to previous licensing terms, sometimes backed by cloud providers. Press believes targeted commercial value opportunities—supported by tools like Scarf—can reduce this friction by fostering more productive engagements between vendors and organizations. Challenges and Evolving Definitions in Open Source While open source remains foundational to the tech world, it continues to face ideological and practical challenges. For decades, debates over licensing models have sparked disagreements, including the current contention around defining open-source AI models. Many models fail to disclose critical training details, leading to further disputes. Ultimately, each organization must navigate these issues by adopting its own definition of open source and deciding how best to support the ecosystem. Tools like Scarf’s platform aim to bridge gaps, enabling IT vendors and organizations to collaborate more effectively, ensuring the continued growth of open source. 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
Salesforce has introduced Financial Services Cloud for Insurance Brokerages, an AI-powered platform set to launch in February 2025, designed to automate and enhance client management, policy servicing, and commission processing for insurance brokerages. Built on Salesforce’s core CRM system, Insurance Brokerage Financial Services Cloud streamlines traditionally time-consuming tasks like policy renewals, employee benefits management, and commission splits, aiming to consolidate operations and reduce operational expenses.
AWS has unveiled a preview of its latest CX offering: Salesforce Contact Center with Amazon Connect. This solution integrates Amazon Connect’s channels directly within Salesforce Service Cloud, offering businesses a seamless, unified platform for Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) and CRM.
Firmable Launches Salesforce Integration to Enhance CRM Workflows Firmable has unveiled its latest integration with Salesforce, further expanding its CRM ecosystem to support over 20,000 Salesforce users across Australia. By embedding its extensive Australian dataset directly into Salesforce, Firmable empowers businesses to optimize workflows, improve productivity, and elevate their sales and marketing efforts. This integration adds to Firmable’s suite of CRM solutions, which also includes compatibility with platforms like HubSpot, making its rich dataset an integral part of daily business operations. Key Benefits of the Firmable-Salesforce Integration A Comprehensive Solution for Australian Businesses Firmable’s integration with Salesforce brings unparalleled ease of use and precision to CRM workflows. By embedding its rich Australian data into everyday tools, businesses can streamline lead generation, enhance customer engagement, and boost sales effectiveness. 🔔🔔 Follow us on LinkedIn 🔔🔔 Ready to transform your sales and marketing strategies? Firmable is now available for trial or purchase at firmable.com. 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
