Marketing Archives - gettectonic.com - Page 2
What is Heroku

What is Heroku

What is Heroku? Heroku is a modern, container-based Platform as a Service (PaaS) that enables developers to deploy, manage, and scale applications with ease. Designed for simplicity, flexibility, and elegance, it provides the fastest path for developers to take their apps to market. Key Features of Heroku: The Evolution of Heroku Heroku has recently undergone a transformation, becoming fully cloud-native with advanced integrations like Kubernetes, OpenTelemetry, and Agentforce, an AI-powered enhancement to its platform. These upgrades retain the platform’s hallmark simplicity while delivering more performance and tools, such as Graviton processors, EKS, ECR, and AWS Global Accelerator. AI-Powered Innovation: Agentforce Agentforce, Heroku’s latest feature, brings AI-powered automation to app development. It empowers both technical and non-technical users by offering natural language workflows for building applications, making it accessible to a wider range of business users. According to Betty Junod, Heroku’s Chief Marketing Officer at Salesforce, the platform now seamlessly combines user-friendly experiences with cutting-edge AI capabilities: “We’ve replatformed while keeping the experience as simple as ever, but now with added horsepower, Graviton performance, and managed AI tools like Bedrock.” Agentforce is particularly impactful for non-developers, guiding them through building apps and automating processes with no-code or low-code tools. This innovation aligns with Heroku’s mission to make app creation easier and more interactive: “It’s not just apps serving information anymore; users are engaging with them in entirely new ways.” Deliver Apps, Your Way Heroku is designed to serve a variety of needs, from quick prototypes to mission-critical enterprise applications. Its fully managed ecosystem allows you to build and scale apps efficiently, leveraging the tools and languages you already know and love. 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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Digital Marketing for Casinos

Unveiling the Casino Experience: Harnessing the Power of Digital Marketing In the exciting world of casinos—where entertainment meets sophistication—the influence of digital marketing is undeniable. A strategic approach is packed with actionable insights designed to boost online presence, engage audiences, and drive sustained success. Discover how to craft compelling content, wield social media’s dynamic power, utilize a customer relationship platform, and optimize visibility to ensure your casino stands out in an increasingly competitive digital arena. Tectonic has a successful, winning track record in Salesforce implementation for casinos. Whether you’re promoting exclusive guest events, captivating diverse demographics, or showcasing the unique experience of your casino, this insight equips you to master the digital space with Salesforce. With these strategies, casinos can create a ever-growing online presence that not only strengthens bonds with existing patrons but also entices new guests. Generating New and Repeat Guest Traffic with Salesforce Key Takeaways Why Digital Marketing is a Critical Component for Casinos Digital marketing serves as a critical driver of customer engagement, loyalty, and revenue growth in the casino industry. Strategies such as SEO, email marketing, and social media engagement empower casinos to connect with target audiences and continuously refine their efforts to remain competitive. In today’s crowded and competitive gaming world, leveraging data-driven marketing offers the competitive edge needed to captivate and retain customers. Winning Strategies for Casino Marketing 1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO):Ensure your casino is easy to find with these tactics: 2. Pay-Per-Click Advertising (PPC):Drive traffic with targeted PPC campaigns by: 3. Social Media Marketing:Create buzz with engaging social media campaigns: 4. Email Marketing:Maintain direct communication with: 5. Salesforce 360 Degree Guest View:Maintain personalized communication with: Reaching the Right Audience with Precision Audience Segmentation:Segmenting your audience by behavior, demographics, and preferences ensures more effective marketing. Navigating Legal and Ethical Challenges in Casino Marketing Compliance is essential in maintaining trust and navigating complex regulations. Measuring Success: Metrics and Optimization Key Metrics to Monitor: Campaign Optimization: Addressing Industry Challenges with Marketing 1. Rising Competition:Stand out by delivering unmatched gaming experiences and innovative promotions. 2. High Player Churn:Combat churn with data-driven marketing and personalized offerings to boost player lifetime value. 3. ROI Challenges:Optimize your mix of games and services to balance player satisfaction and profitability. The Road Ahead: Commitment to Digital Transformation With the global online gaming market projected to grow at a significant pace, casinos must embrace a future grounded in digital and data-driven marketing. Investments in technology, analytics, and talent will be pivotal in securing long-term profitability and differentiation. In an industry where chance often rules, success lies in a deliberate, strategic approach to digital marketing. This insight equips you with the tools to not only compete but thrive in this dynamic landscape. Contact Tectonic today to explore Salesforce tools to better reach, engage, and serve your guests. 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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Speed to Launch of Agentforce

Speed to Launch of Agentforce

Agentforce isn’t just another AI platform that requires months of customization. At most customers, they quickly saw its power, launching transformative generative AI experiences in just days—no AI engineers needed. For companies with larger admin teams, the benefits can be even greater. Unlike other platforms, Agentforce places a strong emphasis on data privacy, building on the trust that Salesforce is known for, making these virtual assistants invaluable. We began with employee-facing use cases, saving our team several hours per week. Now, with Agentforce, we’re seeing even more opportunities to drive efficiencies and better serve our customers. “We’re excited to leverage Agentforce to completely overhaul recruitment and enrollment at Unity Environmental University. Instead of traditional forms or chatbots, our students will soon engage with an autonomous recruitment agent directly on our website, offering personalized support throughout the college application process.”– Dr. Melik Khoury, President & CEO, Unity Environmental University “For first-generation college students, the 1:385 coach-to-student ratio makes personalized guidance challenging. By integrating Agentforce into our platform, we’re deploying cutting-edge solutions to better support students. These agents enable our coaches to focus on high-touch, personalized experiences while handling vital tasks like sharing deadlines and answering common questions—24/7.”– Siva Kumari, CEO, College Possible “Agentforce offers organizations a unique opportunity to move beyond incremental improvements and achieve exponential ROI. By automating customer interactions, improving outcomes, and reducing costs, it integrates data, flows, and user interfaces to mitigate risks and accelerate value creation. This agent-based platform approach allows businesses to harness AI’s full potential, revolutionizing customer engagement and paving the way for exponential growth.”– Rebecca Wettemann, CEO and Principal Analyst, Valoir “Autonomous agents powered by Salesforce’s Agentforce are revolutionizing customer experiences by providing fast, accurate, and personalized support around the clock. With advanced AI making decisions and taking actions autonomously, businesses can resolve customer issues more efficiently, fostering deeper interactions and enhancing satisfaction. This innovation enables companies to reallocate human resources to more complex tasks, boosting individual productivity and scaling business growth. Agentforce is setting new standards for seamless sales, service, marketing, and commerce interactions, reinforcing its leadership in customer experience.”– Michael Fauscette, CEO and Chief Analyst, Arion Research LLC “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” — Alan Kay, Computer Science Pioneer Technology progresses in what biologists call punctuated equilibrium, with new capabilities slowly emerging from labs and tinkerers until a breakthrough shifts the axis of possibility. These pioneering feats create new paradigms, unleashing waves of innovation—much like the Apple Macintosh, the iPhone, and the Salesforce Platform, which revolutionized the enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) model and sparked an entire industry. The Age of Agentforce Begins At Dreamforce 2024, Salesforce Futures reflected on the launch of Agentforce, inspired by visions like the Apple Knowledge Navigator. In 2023, we used this inspiration to craft our Salesforce 2030 film, which showcased the collaboration between humans and autonomous AI agents. Now, with Agentforce, we’re witnessing that vision come to life. Agentforce is a suite of customizable AI agents and tools built on the Salesforce Platform, offering an elegant solution to the complexity of AI deployment. It addresses the challenges of integrating data, models, infrastructure, and applications into a unified system. With powerful tools like Agent Builder and Model Builder, organizations can easily create, customize, and deploy AI agents. Salesforce’s Atlas Reasoning Engine empowers these agents to handle both routine and complex tasks autonomously. A New Era of AI Innovation At Dreamforce 2024, over 10,000 attendees raced to build their own agents using the “Agent Builder” experience, turning verbal instructions into fully functioning agents in under 15 minutes. This wasn’t just another chatbot—it’s a new breed of AI that could transform how businesses operate and deliver superior customer experiences. Companies like Saks, OpenTable, and Wiley have quickly embraced this technology. As Mick Costigan and David Berthy of Salesforce Futures explain, “When we see signals like this, it pushes us toward the future. Soon, we’ll see complex, multi-agent systems solving higher-order challenges, both in the enterprise and in consumer devices.” Shaping the Future Agentforce isn’t just a product—it’s a platform for experimentation. With hundreds of thousands of Salesforce customers soon gaining access, the full potential of these tools will unfold in ways we can’t yet imagine. As with every major technological shift, the real magic will lie in how people use it. Every interaction, every agent deployed, and every problem solved will shape the future in unexpected ways. Platform Evolution Adam Evans, Salesforce SVP of Product, notes that Agentforce builds on the company’s transformation over the past four years, following the pattern of Salesforce’s original disruption of enterprise software. Unlike traditional solutions, Agentforce eliminates the need for customers to build their own AI infrastructure, providing a ready-to-use solution. At the core of Agentforce is the Atlas Reasoning Engine, delivering results that are twice as relevant and 33% more accurate than competing solutions. This engine integrates Salesforce Data Cloud, Flow for automation, and the Einstein Trust Layer for governance. Early Customer Results Early Agentforce deployments highlight how organizations are using autonomous agents to enhance, rather than replace, human workers: George Pokorny, Senior VP of Global Customer Success at OpenTable, shared, “Just saving two minutes on a ten-minute call lets our service reps focus on strengthening customer relationships, thanks to seamless integration with Service Cloud, giving us a unified view of diner preferences and history.” 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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user q and a

Marketing Cloud Engagement Send Times

How do I ensure emails from Marketing Cloud Engagement go to my recipients in the correct time zone? To configure a user’s time zone in Marketing Cloud Engagement, navigate to Setup > Users > [Select User] > Edit, and then select the desired time zone from the “Time Zone” dropdown menu within the “Locale Settings” section; this will update the user’s interface to display times according to their chosen time zone.  Key points to remember: If you need assistance configuring this in Marketing Cloud Engagement, contact Tectonic today. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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1 Billion Enterprise AI Agents

Inside Salesforce’s Ambition to Deploy 1 Billion Enterprise AI Agents Salesforce is making a bold play in the enterprise AI space with its recently launched Agentforce platform. Introduced at the annual Dreamforce conference, Agentforce is positioned to revolutionize sales, marketing, commerce, and operations with autonomous AI agents, marking a significant evolution from Salesforce’s previous Einstein AI platform. What Makes Agentforce Different? Agentforce operates as more than just a chatbot platform. It uses real-time data and user-defined business rules to proactively manage tasks, aiming to boost efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction. Built on Salesforce’s Data Cloud, the platform simplifies deployment while maintaining powerful customization capabilities: “Salesforce takes care of 80% of the foundational work, leaving customers to focus on the 20% that truly differentiates their business,” explains Adam Forrest, SVP of Marketing at Salesforce. Forrest highlights how Agentforce enables businesses to build custom agents tailored to specific needs by incorporating their own rules and data sources. This user-centric approach empowers admins, developers, and technology teams to deploy AI without extensive technical resources. Early Adoption Across Industries Major brands have already adopted Agentforce for diverse use cases: These real-world applications illustrate Agentforce’s potential to transform workflows in industries ranging from retail to hospitality and education. AI Agents in Marketing: The New Frontier Salesforce emphasizes that Agentforce isn’t just for operations; it’s poised to redefine marketing. AI agents can automate lead qualification, optimize outreach strategies, and enhance personalization. For example, in account-based marketing, agents can analyze customer data to identify high-value opportunities, craft tailored strategies, and recommend optimal engagement times based on user behavior. “AI agents streamline lead qualification by evaluating intent signals and scoring leads, allowing sales teams to focus on high-priority prospects,” says Jonathan Franchell, CEO of B2B marketing agency Ironpaper. Once campaigns are launched, Agentforce monitors performance in real time, offering suggestions to improve ROI and resource allocation. By integrating seamlessly with CRM platforms, the tool also facilitates better collaboration between marketing and sales teams. Beyond B2C applications, AI agents in B2B contexts can evaluate customer-specific needs and provide tailored product or service recommendations, further enhancing client relationships. Enabling Creativity Through Automation By automating repetitive tasks, Agentforce aims to free marketers to focus on strategy and creativity. Dan Gardner, co-founder of Code and Theory, describes this vision: “Agentic AI eliminates friction and dissolves silos in data, organizational structures, and customer touchpoints. The result? Smarter insights, efficient distribution, and more time for creatives to do what they do best: creating.” Competitive Landscape and Challenges Despite its promise, Salesforce faces stiff competition. Microsoft—backed by its integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT—has unveiled AI tools like Copilot, and other players such as Google, ServiceNow, and HubSpot are advancing their own AI platforms. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has not shied away from the rivalry. On the Masters of Scale podcast, he criticized Microsoft for overpromising on products like Copilot, asserting that Salesforce delivers tangible value: “Our tools show users exactly what is possible, what is real, and how easy it is to derive huge value from AI.” Salesforce must also demonstrate Agentforce’s scalability across diverse industries to capture a significant share of the enterprise AI market. A Transformative Vision for the Future Agentforce represents Salesforce’s commitment to bringing AI-powered automation to the forefront of enterprise operations. With its focus on seamless deployment, powerful customization, and real-time capabilities, the platform aims to reshape how businesses interact with customers and optimize internal processes. By targeting diverse use cases and emphasizing accessibility for both technical and non-technical users, Salesforce is betting on Agentforce to drive adoption at scale—and position itself as a leader in the increasingly competitive AI market. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more 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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being ai-driven

The Impact of AI on Jobs

The Impact of AI on Jobs: A Historical and Transformative Perspective For centuries, people have feared losing jobs to technological advancements. From the introduction of the printing press in 1440 to the widespread adoption of assembly lines in manufacturing, history has followed a familiar pattern: a wave of panic followed by a surge of innovation. Today, with AI in the spotlight, headlines warn of job-stealing robots. Yet, AI is not here to take jobs; it’s revealing new ones—and at an unprecedented pace. A Paradigm Shift: AI as a Job Creator Contrary to popular belief, AI is reshaping the job market for the better. Rather than replacing workers, it amplifies human potential, pushing society toward work that is creative, strategic, and uniquely human. Instead of asking, “Will AI take my job?” the better question is, “What new opportunities can AI unlock?” The answers are exciting and transformative. Lessons from the Past Technological disruption is far from new. The printing press, the weaving loom, and even the internet all provoked fears of mass unemployment. Yet, each time, these innovations sparked transformation rather than devastation. Consider the ATM, introduced in the 1960s. Initially, bank tellers feared redundancy. However, rather than replacing tellers, ATMs automated routine tasks, freeing human workers to focus on customer service and financial advising. In fact, the number of bank tellers increased in the decades following ATM adoption. AI follows the same trajectory. By handling repetitive tasks like sorting emails or managing schedules, AI frees workers to focus on areas requiring emotional intelligence, creativity, and problem-solving. AI: A Partner, Not a Competitor AI excels in areas that humans struggle with, such as processing vast datasets, recognizing patterns, and executing repetitive tasks with precision. However, it lacks empathy, context, and abstract thinking—traits that remain uniquely human. For example, IBM Watson can analyze millions of medical journals to suggest treatment options. Yet, a doctor’s role remains indispensable, as patients need empathy, understanding, and a human touch. Similarly, legal AI tools like CaseText can streamline research, but building persuasive arguments and negotiating terms require skills no algorithm can match. Rather than replacing professionals, AI enhances their productivity, enabling them to focus on higher-value tasks. The Birth of Entirely New Industries AI is not only reshaping existing jobs but also creating new roles and industries. The rise of generative AI has introduced positions like prompt engineers, who design effective queries to maximize AI’s output. Similarly, the need for unbiased algorithms has created the field of data ethics, where specialists ensure AI systems prioritize equity and fairness. These roles underscore an important reality: AI doesn’t eliminate opportunities—it redefines them. Addressing Ethical Challenges AI’s reliance on data is both its strength and its vulnerability. Algorithms trained on biased data can perpetuate harmful stereotypes, as seen in Amazon’s failed hiring algorithm, which penalized women. This challenge has given rise to data ethicists tasked with auditing algorithms and designing fair systems, further showcasing how AI disruption creates new fields and opportunities. Augmentation Over Replacement Fear of AI stems from misunderstanding its role. Machines are adept at repetitive and analytical tasks, but they lack the nuanced understanding required for roles in fields like art, music, and medicine. AI tools such as Adobe Sensei or AIVA enhance creativity, allowing artists and musicians to experiment, iterate, and push boundaries. Just as the printing press democratized writing rather than ending it, AI empowers workers to focus on what makes us uniquely human. A Future Worth Working Toward AI represents a profound shift in how society views work. It is not a destroyer of jobs but a catalyst for transformation. By automating inefficiencies and reinforcing human strengths, AI unlocks opportunities yet to be imagined. Rather than fearing the rise of AI, embracing its potential can lead to a future where work is more meaningful, creative, and impactful—an evolution worth striving for. 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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What is a CRM

Time to Modernize CRM

Enterprises Must Modernize CRM by 2026 to Unlock AI Potential, Says ISG By 2026, half of all enterprises will need to modernize their Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to harness the full power of AI, according to a new report from global technology research and advisory firm Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III). The ISG Buyers Guides™ for Customer Relationship Management, produced by ISG Software Research, highlight the evolution of CRM from basic data repositories to sophisticated AI-powered platforms. Modern CRM systems now drive sales performance, improve customer engagement, and provide insights that empower both sales and service teams to meet business objectives. The Need for AI-Driven CRM “CRM systems ensure customer-facing teams have access to up-to-date information, but outdated systems often lead to inefficiencies,” says Stephen Hurrell, Director of Research, Office of Revenue, ISG Software Research. “AI-driven CRM technology is essential for delivering actionable insights, market intelligence, and effective engagement. Enterprises must continuously align their CRM strategies with evolving business needs to remain competitive.” Traditional CRM approaches often rely on fragmented customer interactions, consuming unnecessary resources and limiting growth. While some providers offer add-ons to enhance CRM functionality, their effectiveness depends on the quality of foundational data, such as customer profiles and activity records. Enterprises now face a pivotal decision: reimplement their existing CRM systems or transition to new platforms to unlock the capabilities of AI. For many enterprises migrating to Salesforce’s Agentforce will be the logical answer. Modern CRM Capabilities To address today’s demands, modern CRM systems should: In sales, AI-driven CRM systems offer insights on the best times and strategies for engagement. In service, these systems transform customer interactions into additional revenue streams through more integrated and proactive support. ISG’s Evaluation of CRM Providers The 2024 ISG Buyers Guides for Customer Relationship Management assessed 37 providers across eight CRM-related categories: Suite, Platform, Digital Commerce, Marketing, Partners, Sales, Sales Engagement, and Service. Top Providers by Category (Ranked in Order): Industry Challenges Despite advancements, many enterprises struggle with disconnected and overly customized CRM systems that are difficult to upgrade for AI and automation. “Today’s CRM platforms should be intelligent systems that optimize customer interactions and drive growth,” says Mark Smith, Partner, ISG Software Research. “Unfortunately, many enterprises face inefficiencies due to outdated deployments.” About the ISG Buyers Guides The ISG Buyers Guides are the culmination of over a year of market research and provide insights to help enterprises make informed software investments. These reports are independent of vendor influence and serve as a valuable resource for selecting CRM providers and optimizing business technology strategies. To learn more about the ISG Buyers Guides for Customer Relationship Management and access detailed rankings and insights, visit the ISG Software Research website. About ISG Software Research ISG Software Research, formerly Ventana Research, provides authoritative insights into the business and IT software landscape. It offers consulting, research, and educational services for enterprises and software providers, supporting informed decision-making and software selection through methodologies like the ISG Software Research Value Index. 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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Tools to Liberate Salesforce Data

Student Experience Modernization

Transforming the Student Journey: Utah State University Launches ‘OneUSU CRM’ with Salesforce Utah State University (USU) proudly announces the launch of OneUSU CRM, an AI-driven Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Marketing Automation Platform built on Salesforce Education Cloud for Student Experience Modernization. This forward-thinking initiative is set to transform the student experience by simplifying services, enhancingfor engagement, and creating personalized educational journeys for all students—from prospective applicants to lifelong alumni. “USU is redefining student support, starting from the first interaction as prospective students to ongoing engagement as alumni,” said Margo Martinez, VP & GM of Education at Salesforce. “With their AI-powered engagement platform, USU is enabling deeper collaboration among faculty and staff, delivering holistic, personalized support, and strengthening lifelong relationships with students. These efforts will enhance retention and institutional impact.” Breaking Down Silos for a Unified Experience For years, USU’s student data and communication systems operated independently, resulting in fragmented processes. OneUSU CRM consolidates these disparate systems into a single, unified platform, providing a 360-degree view of students and donors. This comprehensive approach enables USU to offer seamless, student-centric experiences, streamline processes, and improve service delivery across the university. “Implementing Salesforce as an enterprise solution will revolutionize how we operate,” said Bill Plate, VP of Marketing and Communications at USU. “It will foster unprecedented collaboration across the university, breaking down silos, enhancing communication, and allowing us to better engage with students and alumni. The result is an elevated experience that strengthens our institutional impact.” The Lifecycle Connection The CRM will connect every touchpoint in the student lifecycle—from recruitment and admissions to active alumni engagement. This integration provides actionable insights to better serve stakeholders, boost enrollment, improve retention, and cultivate stronger relationships with alumni and donors. The initiative aligns with USU’s mission to leverage data for meaningful improvements in the university experience. “This project lays the groundwork for USU to provide personalized support at every stage of the student lifecycle,” added Niel Nickolaisen, USU’s IT Director. “By making comprehensive data accessible to those best positioned to assist, we are better equipped to meet students’ needs, enhance their learning journey, and create stronger institutional bonds.” Four Pillars of Transformation in Student Experience Modernization The OneUSU CRM initiative will roll out in four key phases over 18 months, each focusing on a core area: Guiding Implementation USU’s Operational Strategy division will oversee the rollout, with cross-divisional teams led by Rene Eborn spearheading the transition to Salesforce Education Cloud. By adopting agile principles, minimizing customizations, and redesigning legacy processes, USU is committed to a smooth and effective implementation. “After an extensive analysis, we’re ready to transform and simplify services for our students and community,” noted Eborn. “This initiative will reimagine how we operate, ensuring a seamless transition and delivering optimal performance across the university.” Driving Institutional Impact The project began in November, with the first phase launching in summer 2025. Each phase will build on the previous one, and progress updates will be shared regularly. “This initiative is an opportunity to streamline processes and create a connected experience for students, faculty, and alumni,” said Eric Hawley, CIO at USU. “By improving data, communication, and marketing with a student-first focus, we aim to boost enrollment and retention, shorten time to graduation, and foster lasting relationships with alumni and donors.” Student Experience Modernization Students, faculty, and staff can expect a more connected, responsive campus environment. Detailed updates and training opportunities will be provided to ensure a smooth transition. Student Experience Modernization. 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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New Service Cloud Tools

Service Cloud for HR

Salesforce has expanded its Service Cloud capabilities to include a new HR-focused solution, Employee Service, designed to streamline employee support and enhance productivity. Employee Service introduces a dedicated HR service console paired with an employee portal. This portal acts as a centralized hub for staff to access HR resources, offering instant answers via Generative AI (GenAI), direct communication with HR specialists across multiple channels, and self-service options for tasks like requesting paid time off (PTO). For HR teams, the service console consolidates employee data, case details, and a company’s knowledge base into a unified workspace. It leverages AI-driven tools to resolve cases faster, automate routine tasks, and deliver seamless employee experiences. Salesforce’s Agentforce customers can integrate AI agents into Employee Service to further automate processes, saving time and reducing repetitive workloads. In a LinkedIn announcement, Kishan Chetan, EVP and GM for Service Cloud, highlighted the solution’s potential: “This new solution unifies employee data, case details, and a company’s corporate knowledge base all in one workspace that gives HR teams a 360-degree view of each employee and the ability to manage employee support cases with built-in AI and productivity tools. HR teams can efficiently resolve employee issues using Agentforce to quickly search, respond, summarize, and close cases, extending teams to get work done faster.” Salesforce’s broader goal is to eliminate the reliance on fragmented HR tools and reduce the need for employees to navigate disparate platforms like email, internal systems, and collaboration tools to complete HR-related tasks. By doing so, Salesforce aims to simplify HR processes, minimize manual effort, and enhance overall productivity. Early adopters of Employee Service are already reporting significant results. According to Sherin Sunny, Sr. Director of Product Management at Salesforce, customers have observed a 31% increase in employee productivity. This aligns with broader trends: Recognizing the need for a unified HR ecosystem, Salesforce includes a prebuilt MuleSoft integration with Workday and configurable connectors to other Human Capital Management (HCM) systems. These integrations establish a centralized HR data foundation, reducing inefficiencies caused by siloed tools. Looking ahead, Beth Schultz, VP of Research & Principal Analyst at Metrigy, emphasized the importance of integrating Employee Service with Slack, Salesforce’s collaboration platform: “We’ll be particularly watching how Salesforce’s multifaceted plans for bringing [Employee Service] into Slack play out as Slack evolves into a fully connected, collaborative workspace.” Slack itself is undergoing a transformation, with Salesforce Co-Founder Patrick Harris returning to revamp the platform as a core part of the Salesforce ecosystem. Meanwhile, Salesforce continues to expand Service Cloud’s offerings beyond Employee Service. Recent developments include a revamped CCaaS (Contact Center as a Service) integration program and a new product discovery tool. Still, Agentforce remains a key focus for Salesforce’s marketing efforts, showcasing its potential to redefine how businesses deploy autonomous AI agents across use cases like HR and beyond. 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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Integrate Digital Delivery and Human Connection

Types of Salesforce Integration

Types of Salesforce Integration: A Comprehensive Guide As a leading CRM platform, Salesforce is often required to integrate with other systems to deliver a seamless experience and ensure efficient business operations. Whether it’s syncing data, automating workflows, or enabling real-time communication, Salesforce provides robust integration methods tailored to various needs. In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of Salesforce integrations, their practical applications, and how to choose the right approach for your business. Why Integrate Salesforce? Integrating Salesforce with other systems empowers businesses to: Types of Salesforce Integration 1. Data Integration Ensures data consistency between Salesforce and external systems, enabling seamless synchronization. 2. Process Integration Links workflows across systems, ensuring actions in one system trigger automated processes in another. 3. User Interface (UI) Integration Combines multiple applications into a single interface for a unified user experience. 4. Application Integration Connects Salesforce with external apps for real-time data exchange and functional synchronization. 5. Real-Time Integration Facilitates instant synchronization of data and events between Salesforce and external systems. 6. Batch Integration Processes large data volumes in chunks, typically during off-peak hours. 7. Hybrid Integration Combines multiple integration types, such as real-time and batch, to handle complex requirements. Tools for Salesforce Integration Native Salesforce Tools: Third-Party Tools: Best Practices for Salesforce Integration Conclusion Salesforce integration is essential for streamlining operations and unlocking business potential. With options like data, process, and real-time integration, Salesforce offers the flexibility to meet diverse needs. By adopting the right integration approach and adhering to best practices, businesses can create a unified, efficient ecosystem, enhancing operations and improving customer experience. Whether integrating with ERP systems, marketing tools, or support platforms, Salesforce provides the tools to make integration seamless and impactful. 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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Meta Joins the Race to Reinvent Search with AI

Meta Joins the Race to Reinvent Search with AI

Meta Joins the Race to Reinvent Search with AI Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is stepping into the evolving AI-driven search landscape. As vendors increasingly embrace generative AI to transform search experiences, Meta aims to challenge Google’s dominance in this space. The company is reportedly developing an AI-powered search engine designed to provide conversational, AI-generated summaries of recent events and news. These summaries would be delivered via Meta’s AI chatbot, supported by a multiyear partnership with Reuters for real-time news insights, according to The Information. AI Search: A Growing Opportunity The push comes as generative AI reshapes search technology across the industry. Google, the long-standing leader, has integrated AI features such as AI Overviews into its search platform, offering users summarized search results, product comparisons, and more. This feature, now available in over 100 countries as of October 2024, signals a shift in traditional search strategies. Similarly, OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has been exploring its own AI search model, SearchGPT, and forging partnerships with media organizations like the Associated Press and Hearst. However, OpenAI faces legal challenges, such as a lawsuit from The New York Times over alleged copyright infringement. Meta’s entry into AI-powered search aligns with a broader trend among tech giants. “It makes sense for Meta to explore this,” said Mark Beccue, an analyst with TechTarget’s Enterprise Strategy Group. He noted that Meta’s approach seems more targeted at consumer engagement than enterprise solutions, particularly appealing to younger audiences who are shifting away from traditional search behaviors. Shifting User Preferences Generational changes in search habits are creating opportunities for new players in the market. Younger users, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha, are increasingly turning to platforms like TikTok for lifestyle advice and Amazon for product recommendations, bypassing traditional search engines like Google. “Recent studies show younger generations are no longer using ‘Google’ as a verb,” said Lisa Martin, an analyst with the Futurum Group. “This opens the playing field for competitors like Meta and OpenAI.” Forrester Research corroborates this trend, noting a diversification in search behaviors. “ChatGPT’s popularity has accelerated this shift,” said Nikhil Lai, a Forrester analyst. He added that these changes could challenge Google’s search ad market, with its dominance potentially waning in the years ahead. Meta’s AI Search Potential Meta’s foray into AI search offers an opportunity to enhance user experiences and deepen engagement. Rather than pushing news content into users’ feeds—an approach that has drawn criticism—AI-driven search could empower users to decide what content they see and when they see it. “If implemented thoughtfully, it could transform the user experience and give users more control,” said Martin. This approach could also boost engagement by keeping users within Meta’s ecosystem. The Race for Revenue and Trust While AI-powered search is expected to increase engagement, monetization strategies remain uncertain. Google has yet to monetize its AI Overviews, and OpenAI’s plans for SearchGPT remain unclear. Other vendors, like Perplexity AI, are experimenting with models such as sponsored questions instead of traditional results. Trust remains a critical factor in the evolving search landscape. “Google is still seen as more trustworthy,” Lai noted, with users often returning to Google to verify AI-generated information. Despite the competition, the conversational AI search market lacks a definitive leader. “Google dominated traditional search, but the race for conversational search is far more open-ended,” Lai concluded. Meta’s entry into this competitive space underscores the ongoing evolution of search technology, setting the stage for a reshaped digital landscape driven by AI innovation. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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salesforce agentforce ai powered agentic agents

Marketing Agents for Campaigns

Marketing Agents: The Next Frontier in Campaign Creation and Optimization For years, content creation and distribution have been key challenges for marketers. According to recent research from the Content Marketing Institute, 54% of B2B marketers lack the resources needed to produce high-quality content at scale. Similarly, B2C marketers often struggle to create consistent, repeatable, and scalable processes. On top of these challenges, they must balance resource management to ensure campaigns are efficient, impactful, and engaging enough to stand out from the competition. The solution to these challenges lies in marketing agents, powered by data and AI. These intelligent tools streamline content creation, optimize campaigns, and make marketing processes more efficient. At this year’s Dreamforce, Salesforce introduced Agentforce, a suite of tools designed to create, customize, and deploy marketing agents across the Customer 360 platform. As part of this launch, Agentforce Campaigns is already gaining attention from customers eager to harness its potential. According to Salesforce’s 9th State of Marketing Report, 71% of marketers plan to integrate generative and predictive AI into their workflows within the next 18 months. This insight explores how marketing agents, like those offered in Agentforce, can transform customer engagement while enhancing internal team productivity and collaboration. Redefining Campaign Delivery with Marketing Agents Marketing agents are part of a broader suite of AI-powered virtual assistants that collaborate with humans to streamline workflows and optimize decision-making. These agents analyze data, interpret requests, and execute tasks such as content generation, campaign optimization, and performance analysis. Salesforce’s AI agents are designed to be partners, taking on time-consuming tasks so marketers can focus on high-value, strategic activities. With marketing agents, teams spend less time gathering and managing data and more time delivering personalized, impactful campaigns. A key mindset shift is required to maximize the value of these tools: instead of asking, “How can agents make business as usual more efficient?”, marketers should think, “How can agents transform the way we deliver exceptional customer experiences?” Streamlining Campaign Creation with Agentforce Campaigns 1. Intelligent Recommendations for Focused Action Einstein, Salesforce’s AI engine, analyzes data and provides contextual recommendations to help marketers achieve their goals. Agentforce Campaigns takes this a step further by turning these static recommendations into actionable steps, such as adjusting an audience segment or creating an entirely new campaign. 2. Rapid Campaign Brief Creation Agentforce Campaigns can draft campaign briefs in seconds using natural language prompts. These briefs incorporate organizational goals and marketing guidelines, making them ready for review and sharing within Salesforce. This saves time and ensures alignment from the start. 3. Contextual Content Creation Once a campaign brief is approved, marketing agents can generate campaign content such as emails and landing pages. Agentforce Campaigns automatically drafts subject lines, body copy, and calls to action within branded templates. Content can be refined using natural language commands or manual adjustments to fit the brand’s tone and strategy. 4. Simplified Audience Segmentation Marketers no longer need SQL expertise to build audience segments. With Agentforce Campaigns, they can describe their target audience in natural language, and the AI translates this into the necessary segment attributes. 5. Journey Activation at Scale Marketing agents simplify the process of activating multi-channel campaigns. Using natural language prompts, Agentforce Campaigns can configure a draft journey, complete with personalized content, ready for refinement and deployment. Unlocking New Opportunities with Marketing Agents 6. Unlimited Content Variations Time and budget constraints often limit the number of content variations marketers can produce. Agentforce Campaigns overcomes this limitation by generating multiple personalized content versions in seconds. This allows teams to deliver highly tailored messages for different audience segments without additional effort. 7. Nuanced Segment Exploration Traditional segmentation often depends on data science teams, which may have limited capacity. Marketing agents empower marketers to build their own nuanced segments using natural language. For example, separate churn segments can be created based on engagement scores, location, or purchase history, enabling more precise targeting. 8. A Culture of Testing and Learning Testing often falls by the wayside due to time constraints. Marketing agents make it easy to embed testing into campaigns by automating journey flows, enabling marketers to adopt a culture of continuous experimentation and improvement without increasing workloads. Transforming Marketing with Agentforce By integrating marketing agents into workflows, businesses can improve productivity, enhance personalization, and scale campaigns like never before. Agentforce Campaigns enables marketers to automate routine tasks, explore untapped opportunities, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Marketers who embrace this shift will not only increase efficiency but also elevate their strategies, creating campaigns that are more targeted, impactful, and scalable. Note: Some features and services mentioned may not yet be available. Customers should base purchase decisions on currently available features. 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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