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Alation Strengthens Data Cloud
20Nov

Alation Anywhere

Alation Anywhere for Google Chrome: A Streamlined Approach to Analysis Alation’s browser-based extension, Alation Anywhere for Google Chrome, integrates its tools directly into the user’s browser to reduce the inefficiencies caused by toggling between applications. This innovation enhances workflow efficiency and accelerates access to data-driven insights, bringing the full power of Alation’s Data Intelligence Platform into the daily flow of work. Tackling Context-Switching with Alation Anywhere A 2022 Harvard Business Review study revealed that Fortune 500 employees toggle between applications 1,200 times per day, resulting in four hours of weekly lost productivity and five weeks of annual time wasted. By embedding Alation’s capabilities into Chrome, users can seamlessly interact with curated and governed data without leaving their current workflows. According to Matt Aslett, analyst at Ventana Research, “The primary goal of capabilities like Alation Anywhere is to accelerate data-driven decision-making. By embedding data catalog functionality within productivity tools, it reduces the delays caused by switching contexts and facilitates quicker access to insights.” Enhanced Data Discovery in the Browser The popularity of web-based applications makes Chrome the ideal platform for extending Alation’s tools. Stewart Bond, analyst at IDC, emphasizes that “most modern applications are accessed via the browser. Alation Anywhere for Chrome eliminates the need to toggle between browser tabs, saving users time and boosting productivity.” Beyond efficiency, embedding analytics into frequently used tools increases the likelihood of data-driven decision-making. By integrating Alation’s insights directly into the browser, users can make informed decisions in real-time, with minimal disruptions. Key Features of Alation Anywhere for Google Chrome The Chrome extension introduces several tools to streamline data discovery and management: These features reflect Alation’s strategy of extending data catalog capabilities to the tools users rely on most, facilitating quicker and more accurate insights. Meeting Modern Data Demands As enterprises increasingly develop AI models and applications, the need for accessible, real-time data is growing. Alation’s vice president of product management, Diby Malakar, highlighted the role of user feedback in driving innovations like the Chrome extension. “Embedding analytics and data management directly into everyday tools is essential for streamlining workflows and reducing friction,” said Malakar. “Our goal is to ensure data intelligence is always available where it drives the most value.” Differentiation and Future Focus While Alation’s browser-based extension addresses a critical need, competitors such as Collibra, Informatica, and Qlik also offer similar capabilities. To stand out, Alation must build on unique initiatives like its new AI governance suite, which addresses emerging challenges in enterprise AI adoption. According to Malakar, Alation will continue developing features that enable both technical and non-technical users to discover and curate trusted data. This aligns with growing enterprise priorities, including real-time analytics and AI model development. “As AI and data initiatives become central to enterprises, the demand for accessible, reliable data will only increase,” Malakar noted. “Alation is committed to evolving our platform to meet these needs … backed by the data they trust.” Alation Anywhere for Google Chrome exemplifies the company’s commitment to improving access to governed data while staying attuned to user workflows and the evolving data landscape. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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November 20, 2024in Data, Enterprise, Google, Salesforce, Snowflake0 Comments
Data Governance in Salesforce
01Oct

Data Governance in Salesforce

Use Case Highlights Introduction Salesforce is a powerful platform for building strong customer relationships. However, to maximize the value of your data, a strategic approach is essential. Unmanaged data can lead to inconsistencies, security vulnerabilities, and compliance issues, making it difficult to rely on Salesforce data for strategic decision-making. This data governance insight looks into data governance for Salesforce and highlights top tools that integrate seamlessly with the platform. While these tools are not exclusively built for Salesforce, they offer powerful features that enhance the accuracy, security, and regulatory compliance of your data. Implementing a data governance strategy with the right tools unlocks the hidden potential of your Salesforce data. Imagine making decisions based on reliable information, streamlining workflows, and maximizing data value—all possible with clean, trustworthy data at your fingertips. Disclaimer: The specific third-party security solutions mentioned in this insight are for informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsements by Tectonic. 6 Data Governance Tools for Salesforce Users Understanding the Importance of Data Governance in Salesforce Salesforce, a cornerstone for managing customer relationships, thrives on a rich data repository. However, unmanaged data growth can lead to inconsistencies, security vulnerabilities, and compliance hurdles, hindering the data’s potential to drive strategic decisions. Data governance goes beyond data management. It establishes principles and practices to ensure your Salesforce data is: Why is data governance crucial for Salesforce? Data governance transforms data from a potential liability into a strategic asset, driving informed decisions, fostering trust, and empowering your organization to achieve its goals. Key Challenges in Salesforce Data Governance Implementing robust data governance within Salesforce presents challenges: Evaluating Data Governance Tools for Salesforce Choosing the right data governance tool for Salesforce requires careful evaluation: Comparing Top Data Governance Solutions for Salesforce When comparing top data governance solutions, assess factors like features, pricing, scalability, and customer reviews. A comparison table can offer a quick overview of key features and differences between solutions. Product Key Features Pricing Collibra Centralized platform, business glossary management, data lineage tracking, access controls Starting at $170,000/year Dataedo Collaborative data catalog, data documentation, quality rules, improved data literacy Starting at $18,000/year Alation Data discovery and intelligence platform, searchable data catalog, business terms & data lineage Starting at $60,000/year OneTrust Data Governance AI-driven discovery & classification, integrated catalog, governance policy management Contact for pricing Talend Data Fabric Data quality checks, automated metadata management, data inventory & Trust Score, stewardship workflows Starting at $12,000/year Informatica Axon AI-powered discovery & quality assessment, stewardship communication, curated marketplaces, common dictionary Contact for pricing Data Governance in Salesforce This table provides a snapshot of key features and pricing, helping organizations make informed decisions based on their needs and budget. Reach out to Tectonic if you need assistance. Tectonic’s Remarks This insight has provided the knowledge to harness the true potential of your Salesforce data. Data governance is no longer a distant concept but a powerful practice that every organization must embrace. Success lies in selecting the right data governance solution. Consider your specific needs—whether it’s robust data lineage tracking offered by tools like Collibra and Talend, user-friendly interfaces from Dataedo and Alation, or cost-effectiveness. Several tools explored in this insight also offer strong security features to safeguard your customer data. Tools like Informatica Axon can assist with data discovery and quality assessment, empowering data stewards. By embracing data governance and leveraging the right tools, you can transform Salesforce data from a raw resource into a strategic asset. This newfound data clarity fuels informed decision-making, fosters customer trust, and drives your organization toward achieving its goals. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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October 1, 2024in Salesforce
Salesforce to Acquire PredictSpring
01Aug

Salesforce to Acquire PredictSpring

Salesforce to Acquire PredictSpring, Enhancing Customer 360 Capabilities in Retail Salesforce has announced a definitive agreement to acquire cloud-based point-of-sale (PoS) software vendor PredictSpring, aiming to bolster its Customer 360 capabilities and strengthen its foothold in the retail industry. PredictSpring, headquartered in California, provides PoS systems that enable store associates to engage with shoppers and complete transactions from anywhere in the store using mobile devices. The software also supports store operations, including fulfillment, client profile management, and online ordering for items not immediately available. “The combined talent, resources, and innovation of Salesforce and PredictSpring will empower brands and retailers to drive frictionless and personalized engagement across all touchpoints,” said Jeff Amann, executive vice president of Salesforce Industries. PredictSpring, already a Salesforce ecosystem partner integrated with Commerce Cloud and Service Cloud, has been collaborating with Salesforce since 2019 when new tools were added to Commerce Cloud. Founded in 2013 by Nitin Mangtani, a former product manager at Google, PredictSpring has received investments from Salesforce Ventures, Felicis Ventures, Novel TMT Ventures, and Beanstalk Ventures. The company raised $16 million in a Series B funding round and $11.4 million in a Series A round. While Salesforce did not disclose the transaction value, it will retain the entire PredictSpring team, consisting of approximately 31 employees. The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of Salesforce’s fiscal year 2025, which runs from February to January. Earlier this year, Salesforce attempted to acquire enterprise data management software provider Informatica, but the talks fell through. Notable past acquisitions by Salesforce include Slack, MuleSoft, Tableau, and Troops.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 Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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August 1, 2024in Mulesoft
Salesforce Informatica Almost
22May

Salesforce Informatica Almost

The Deal That Never Was: Salesforce and Informatica In one of the biggest technology news stories of the year, it was reported in April that Salesforce was on the verge of acquiring cloud data management provider Informatica. Salesforce Informatica Almost. Both Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal confirmed the story, with Bloomberg predicting that the deal could be finalized within days. Salesforce appeared poised to leverage Informatica’s data integration and management platform to enhance its Data Cloud and Einstein 1 solutions. However, by the following week, reports surfaced that the deal had fallen through due to an inability to agree on terms, with an unnamed Bloomberg source citing a disagreement over price. Neither company has disclosed specific reasons for the failed negotiations, but market reactions were notable, with both companies experiencing share price drops after the news broke. Salesforce has since somewhat recovered from its initial 7% decrease, but Informatica’s stock has continued to decline, now at its lowest point since mid-February. Criticism also emerged within the technology sector. Gaurav Dhillon, Co-Founder of Informatica and current CEO of SnapLogic, was particularly vocal, describing the proposed acquisition as a “real step backward” for Salesforce and expressing concerns about the merger’s impact on Informatica’s users. Dhillon predicted a “rocky road ahead” due to significant overlaps in integration products, specifically highlighting the challenge of merging Informatica’s technology with MuleSoft, an integration platform Salesforce acquired for $6.5 billion in 2018. Dhillon warned that integrating these disparate platforms would be a complex, time-consuming project likely to take more than five years to complete. Industry Analysts Weigh In The topic was recently revisited by leading CX analysts during a CX Today Big CX News discussion. Despite the initial market and industry criticism, many analysts agreed that the acquisition made strategic sense for Salesforce. Martin Schneider, Head of Research at Annuitas Research, emphasized that data quality is a longstanding issue in the CRM sector and described Informatica’s data capabilities as the missing “puzzle piece” for Salesforce’s end-to-end, AI-driven strategy. He stated, “One thing that Informatica does incredibly well is data quality. Having a CDP is one thing, but unless you actually have the data set right, you can’t create a free-flowing customer data value chain.” Michael Fauscette, Founder, CEO & Chief Analyst at Arion Research, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the enhancements Informatica could have brought to the backend of Data Cloud as a missed opportunity. “If you think about what Salesforce has done over the last couple of years with Data Cloud, it really completes that story from the backend,” he said. “The part of how do I get the data prep and make sure the quality is there.” While acknowledging that the price may have been a sticking point, particularly given the overlap with Salesforce’s existing solutions, Zeus Kerravala, Principal Analyst at ZK Research, expressed surprise that Salesforce walked away from the deal. He asserted, “If an acquisition is a good acquisition, you can never pay too much for it.” Kerravala further explained that data quality issues are a significant hindrance to Salesforce’s AI capabilities. “Salesforce customers are notorious for putting bad data into Salesforce, and bad data leads to bad output. If there’s one thing they needed, it was a company like Informatica to help with that.” Conclusion Despite the week-long will-they-won’t-they drama, the potential acquisition of Informatica by Salesforce remains a ‘what if.’ While initial market reactions and industry criticisms suggested that the failed deal might have been for the best, many CX analysts believe it represented a missed opportunity for Salesforce to enhance its data management and AI capabilities. As the dust settles, the implications of this near-acquisition will continue to be a topic of discussion in the CX community. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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May 22, 2024in Mulesoft, Salesforce
Salesforce role hierarchy
23Apr

If Not Informatica, Then Who?

What Lies Ahead for Salesforce’s Acquisition Strategy? If Not Informatica Then Who? The Breakdown: The proposed Salesforce-Informatica acquisition, which promised significant advancements in data integration, quality control, and customer insights, ultimately fell through due to disagreements over the deal’s terms. Impact on Salesforce’s Strategy: The acquisition was positioned as a strategic move for Salesforce, building on its largest acquisition of Slack in 2020, aimed at fortifying its data ecosystem and bolstering its position in data analytics and management through enhanced AI capabilities and data management solutions. Future Acquisition Prospects: With the Informatica deal off the table, attention turns to potential targets like HubSpot. This shift underscores Salesforce’s commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in CRM and marketing automation amidst increasing competition and past acquisitions such as ExactTarget and Pardot. The Details: The anticipated mega-deal, which could have significantly expanded Salesforce’s data capabilities and represented one of its largest acquisitions to date, dissolved due to an inability to reach consensus on deal terms, as reported by multiple sources. Informatica, valued at over billion, specializes in data management software, while Salesforce, the world’s leading CRM software company valued at 1.71 billion, has historically expanded its customer data capabilities through strategic acquisitions. Notably, Salesforce completed its largest acquisition with the $27.7 billion purchase of Slack Technologies in 2020. If Not Informatica, Then Who Boosting Salesforce’s Data Ecosystem: The proposed acquisition of Informatica, first reported by the Wall Street Journal on April 12, aimed to elevate Salesforce’s data capabilities, particularly in areas like data integration, quality control, and customer insights. This strategic move reflected a broader trend in the software industry towards mergers and acquisitions to strengthen capabilities in data analytics and management. By integrating Informatica into Salesforce’s data ecosystem, the company was poised to enhance its AI systems and leverage the Mulesoft infrastructure for improved data cataloging, as well as sophisticated solutions like master data management and data governance. Implications for Marketing and Customer Experience (CX) Professionals: The potential acquisition could have accelerated innovation in customer experience management, empowering CMOs and CX professionals with robust data tools for faster, more informed decision-making. This could have translated into enhanced customer interactions, driving revenue growth and enhancing Salesforce’s competitive position in the market. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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April 23, 2024in Marketing Automation, Mulesoft, Salesforce
Salesforce in a Mega-Data Deal with Informatica
23Apr

Informatica Salesforce Deal Off

Negotiations between Salesforce and Informatica to finalize an acquisition deal have collapsed due to an inability to reach agreement on the terms, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and Reuters, citing anonymous sources. The primary point of contention appears to be the price per share of Informatica. Salesforce was reportedly aiming for a mid-30s price per share, but Informatica’s shares were trading higher, at $38.48, when news of the acquisition talks surfaced on April 12. By the end of last week, Informatica’s shares had dropped to $35.19, valuing the company at $11.2 billion including debt. Informatica Salesforce Deal Off Attempts to obtain a response from Salesforce and Informatica regarding the status of the deal have not yielded immediate results. Salesforce previously declined to comment on speculation surrounding the acquisition. IPaaS Consolidation Industry analysts believe that if the deal had been successful, it would have represented consolidation within the iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) market and provided a new revenue stream for Salesforce. The integration of Informatica’s offerings with Salesforce’s MuleSoft platform, acquired for $5.7 billion in 2018, was anticipated. MuleSoft’s Anypoint Platform provides iPaaS services encompassing integration, automation, and API management. Similarly, Informatica offers comparable services through its Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) platform, featuring cloud API and application integration, Cloud B2B Gateway, Cloud Integration, API Manager, API Center, and data integration capabilities. Informatica Salesforce Deal Off Although Believed to Be Significant Development Industry experts view the potential acquisition as significant for Salesforce, given the complexity enterprises face managing numerous applications and data sources. Cleaning up and integrating disparate data sources remains a critical challenge, particularly for large enterprises with over 1,000 applications. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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April 23, 2024in Salesforce
Salesforce in a Mega-Data Deal with Informatica
15Apr

Salesforce in a Mega-Data Deal with Informatica

Since Salesforce announced its acquisition of Slack for $27.7B in late 2020, the cloud software mega-giant has paused its acquisition strategy due to factors like rising interest rates, declining revenues, and a laser focus on profitability. However, recent leaks from The Wall Street Journal and other news publications suggest that Salesforce in a Mega-Data Deal with Informatica, is in advanced talks to acquire Informatica in a deal worth over $11B. Informatica is a significant player in enterprise data management, boasting revenues of over $1.51B and a workforce of over 5,000 employees. They specialize in AI-powered cloud data management, assisting companies in processing and managing large volumes of data from various sources to derive actionable and real-time insights. Salesforce in a Mega-Data Deal with Informatica The synergies between Informatica and Salesforce are many, with both companies focusing on consolidating data from multiple sources to provide comprehensive business insights. This aligns well with Salesforce’s strategic shift towards AI-driven data processing and analysis, aiming to enhance generative and predictive capabilities. While Salesforce’s previous acquisition of MuleSoft in 2018 for $6.5B has proven successful in facilitating API connectivity for real-time integrations, Informatica brings expertise in ETL (Extract-Transform-Load), data quality, and data movement to and from platforms like Snowflake and Databricks. This potential mega-data deal underscores the growing importance of data in the tech industry, especially with the emergence of generative AI and large language models (LLMs) that enable deeper analysis of vast datasets. Salesforce’s recent rebranding of its platform to “Einstein 1” underscores the convergence of AI and data within its product suite. The company’s emphasis on “AI + Data + CRM” reflects its commitment to leveraging data analytics for CRM enhancement, exemplified by the growth of its Data Cloud product. Partnering with industry leaders like Snowflake, Databricks, AWS, and Google, Salesforce aims to offer comprehensive data solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing systems. Informatica’s capabilities in ETL and Master Data Management (MDM) align with this vision, particularly in streamlining data integration and ensuring data quality across disparate systems. In final thoughts, while the Informatica acquisition is still pending finalization, it represents a strategic move by Salesforce to strengthen its position in the AI and data-driven CRM market. As Salesforce continues to evolve its product ecosystem, this acquisition signals its commitment to innovation and leadership in the era of AI-powered data analytics. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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April 15, 2024in Generative AI, Mulesoft, Salesforce, Snowflake

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