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AI Agent Revolution

AI Agent Revolution

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

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Tectonic Salesforce Integrations

Digital Experience and Ecommerce Dictionary

Essential Ecommerce and Digital Experience Terminology The world of ecommerce and digital experiences is constantly evolving, bringing with it a steady stream of new buzzwords and concepts. While this list isn’t exhaustive, it serves as an excellent introduction to some of the latest trends and terminology shaping online shopping experiences. Accessibility Ensuring that web content is accessible across all devices is only part of the equation—compliance with international regulations is crucial to supporting individuals with disabilities. Here are key terms related to digital accessibility: Content Marketing Content marketing has evolved beyond catalogs and newsletters. It’s now an integral part of the shopping experience, helping customers discover and engage with brands in meaningful ways. Data-Driven Strategies Leading brands leverage data-driven ecommerce to deliver personalized, seamless shopping experiences. This ever-evolving space includes key concepts such as: Mobile Commerce Consumers expect to shop seamlessly across multiple devices. Mobile commerce trends ensure a smooth experience, no matter where they browse. Omnichannel Experiences Shoppers today expect a cohesive experience whether they shop online, on social media, or in-store. Here are key omnichannel concepts: Tech & Digital Experience Platforms To meet changing consumer expectations, retailers are adopting advanced technologies that streamline operations and enhance user experiences. Social Commerce Social commerce enables direct purchases through social media platforms, streamlining the shopping journey from discovery to checkout. Security & Privacy Data privacy is a growing concern among consumers. Here are key regulations shaping ecommerce security: Search Search functionality is crucial for delivering relevant results and optimizing user experience. Emerging trends include: Final Thoughts The ecommerce webscape is always changing, with new technologies and trends shaping the way consumers shop online. By staying abreast of these key terms, businesses can enhance customer experiences and remain competitive in the digital marketplace. Explore these topics further with our resources and insights! Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more 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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B2B Customer Service with Agentforce

Agents are the Future of Customer Engagement

Agentic Customer Engagement is Here There was a time when customer service meant going into a brick and mortar building and talking to a person face to face. It was time consuming and did not guarantee a solution. The mail order business brought on the need for the 800 number to contact a merchant. The dot com boom brought customer engagement opportunities directly to our homes. Ios and Android apps brought customer engagement to our fingertips. Yet we still were dependent upon the availability of humans or at least chatbots. Customer service often repressed customer engagement, not enhanced it. Agents, like Salesforce Agentforce, brought 24 7 customer engagement to us no matter where we are, when it is, or how complicated our issue is. And agents improved customer service! What’s next? Robots and drones who deliver our items and answer our questions? Who knows. AI bots are transforming client relationships and customer service. To achieve unparalleled efficiency, these intelligent systems plan and automate difficult activities, make deft decisions, and blend in seamlessly with current workflows. Yes, it’s widely believed that AI agents will play a crucial role in the future of customer engagement, offering personalized, efficient, and consistent experiences across various channels.  Here’s why AI agents are poised to be a key driver in customer engagement: AI agents are becoming smarter every day, using machine learning and natural language processing to predict customer needs, handle complex queries with empathy and offer real-time, personalized assistance. How AI Agents Are Redefining Customer Engagement Marketing is undergoing a seismic transformation. Tectonic shift, if you will. The past decade was dominated by complex tech stacks and data integration—now, AI is shifting the focus back to what truly matters: crafting impactful content and campaigns. Welcome to the era of agentic customer engagement and marketing. The Rise of Marketing Agents Unlike traditional customer service agents handling one-to-one interactions, marketing agents amplify human expertise to engage audiences at scale—whether targeting broad segments or hyper-personalized personas. They ensure consistent, high-quality messaging across every channel while automating the intricate backend work of delivering the right content to the right customer at the right time. This shift is powered by rapid AI advancements: How Agentic Engagement Amplifies Marketing Marketing agents don’t replace human creativity—they extend it. Once strategists set guidelines, approve messaging, and define brand voice, agents execute with precision across channels. At Typeface, for example, AI securely learns brand tones and styles to generate on-brand imagery, text, and videos—ensuring every asset aligns with the company’s identity. Key Capabilities of Marketing Agents The Human-Agent Partnership AI agents don’t replace marketers—they empower them. Humans bring creativity, emotional intelligence, and strategic decision-making; agents handle execution, data processing, and scalability. Marketers will evolve into “agent wranglers”, setting objectives, monitoring performance, and ensuring alignment with business goals. Meanwhile, agents will work in interconnected ecosystems—where a content agent’s blog post triggers a social agent’s promotion, while a performance agent optimizes distribution, and a brand agent tracks reception. Preparing for the Agent Era To stay ahead, businesses should:✅ Start small, think big – Pilot agents in low-risk areas before scaling.✅ Train teams – Ensure marketers understand agent management.✅ Build governance frameworks – Define oversight and intervention protocols.✅ Strengthen data infrastructure – Clean, structured data fuels agent effectiveness.✅ Maintain human oversight – Regularly audit agent outputs for quality and alignment. Work with a Salesforce partner like Tectonic to prepare for the Agent Era. The Future is Agentic The age of AI-driven marketing isn’t coming—it’s here. Companies that embrace agentic engagement will unlock unprecedented efficiency, personalization, and impact. The question isn’t if you’ll adopt AI agents—it’s how soon. Ready to accelerate your strategy? Discover how Agentforce (Salesforce’s agentic layer) can cut deployment time by 16x while boosting accuracy by 70%. The future of marketing isn’t just automated—it’s autonomous, adaptive, and agentic. Are you prepared? The Future of Customer Experience: AI-Driven Efficiency and Innovation Businesses have long understood the connection between operational efficiency and superior customer experience (CX). However, the rapid advancement of AI-powered technologies, including next-generation hardware and virtual agents, is transforming this connection into a measurable driver of value creation. Increasingly well-documented use cases for generative AI (GenAI) demonstrate that companies can simultaneously deliver a vastly superior customer experience at a significantly lower cost-to-serve, resulting in substantial financial gains. From Customer Journeys to Autonomous Customer Missions To achieve this ideal balance, companies are shifting from traditional customer journeys—where users actively manage their own experiences via apps—to a more comprehensive approach driven by trusted autonomous agents. These agents are designed to complete specific tasks with minimal human involvement, creating an entirely new paradigm for customer engagement. While early implementations may be rudimentary, the convergence of hardware and AI will lead to sophisticated, seamless experiences far beyond current capabilities. AI-Enabled Internal and External Transformation AI is already driving transformation both internally and externally. Internally, it streamlines processes, enhances employee experiences, and significantly boosts productivity. In customer service operations, for example, GenAI has driven productivity improvements of 15% to 30%, with some companies targeting up to 80% efficiency gains. Externally, AI is reshaping customer interactions, making them more personalized, efficient, and intuitive. Virtual co-pilots assist customers by answering inquiries, processing returns, and curating tailored offers—freeing human employees to focus on complex issues that require nuanced decision-making. Linking Operational Efficiency to Customer Experience Leading organizations are demonstrating how AI-driven efficiencies translate into enhanced CX. Despite these gains, companies must raise the bar even further to fully capitalize on AI’s potential. The convergence of next-generation hardware with AI-driven automation presents an unprecedented opportunity to redefine customer engagement. From App-Driven Experiences to Autonomous Agents At Dreamforce 2024, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff highlighted that service employees waste over 40% of their time on repetitive, low-value tasks. Similarly, customers face friction in making significant purchases or planning events. Google research indicates that travelers may engage in over 700 digital touchpoints when planning a trip—a fragmented and often frustrating experience. Imagine instead a network of proprietary and third-party agents seamlessly executing customer missions—such as purchasing a car or planning a vacation—without requiring constant user input. These AI agents

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Salesforce Einstein Discovery

Salesforce Einstein Discovery

Unlock the Power of Historical Salesforce Data with Einstein Discovery Streamline Access to Historical Insights Salesforce Einstein Discovery (formerly Salesforce Discover) eliminates the complexity of manual data extraction, giving you instant access to complete historical Salesforce data—without maintaining pipelines or infrastructure. 🔹 Effortless Trend Analysis – Track changes across your entire org over time.🔹 Seamless Reporting – Accelerate operational insights with ready-to-use historical data.🔹 Cost Efficiency – Reduce overhead by retrieving trend data from backups instead of production. Why Use Historical Backup Data for Analytics? Most organizations struggle with incomplete or outdated SaaS data, making trend analysis slow and unreliable. With Einstein Discovery, you can:✅ Eliminate data gaps – Access every historical change in your Salesforce org.✅ Speed up decision-making – Feed clean, structured data directly to BI tools.✅ Cut infrastructure costs – Skip costly ETL processes and data warehouses. Einstein Discovery vs. Traditional Data Warehouses Traditional Approach Einstein Discovery Requires ETL pipelines & data warehouses No pipelines needed – backups auto-update Needs ongoing engineering maintenance Zero maintenance – always in sync with your org Limited historical visibility Full change history with minute-level accuracy 💡 Key Advantage: Einstein Discovery automates what used to take months of data engineering. How It Works Einstein Discovery leverages Salesforce Backup & Recover to:🔹 Track every field & record change in real time.🔹 Feed historical data directly to Tableau, Power BI, or other BI tools.🔹 Stay schema-aware – no manual adjustments needed. AI-Powered Predictive Analytics Beyond historical data, Einstein Discovery uses AI and machine learning to:🔮 Predict outcomes (e.g., sales forecasts, churn risk).📊 Surface hidden trends with automated insights.🛠 Suggest improvements (e.g., “Increase deal size by focusing on X”). Supported Use Cases: ✔ Regression (e.g., revenue forecasting)✔ Binary Classification (e.g., “Will this lead convert?”)✔ Multiclass Classification (e.g., “Which product will this customer buy?”) Deploy AI Insights Across Salesforce Once trained, models can be embedded in:📌 Lightning Pages📌 Experience Cloud📌 Tableau Dashboards📌 Salesforce Flows & Automation Get Started with Einstein Discovery 🔹 License Required: CRM Analytics Plus or Einstein Predictions.🔹 Data Prep: Pull from Salesforce or external sources.🔹 Bias Detection: Ensure ethical AI with built-in fairness checks. Transform raw data into actionable intelligence—without coding. Talk to your Salesforce rep to enable Einstein Discovery today! Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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Balancing Security with Operational Flexibility

Balancing Security with Operational Flexibility

Security measures for AI agents must strike a balance between protection and the flexibility required for effective operation in production environments. As these systems advance, several key challenges remain unresolved. Practical Limitations 1. Tool Calling 2. Multi-Step Execution 3. Technical Infrastructure 4. Interaction Challenges 5. Access Control 6. Reliability & Performance The Road Ahead Scaling AI Through Test-Time Compute The future of AI agent capabilities hinges on test-time compute, or the computational resources allocated during inference. While pre-training faces limitations due to finite data availability, test-time compute offers a path to enhanced reasoning. Industry leaders suggest that large-scale reasoning may require significant computational investment. OpenAI’s Sam Altman has stated that while AGI development is now theoretically understood, real-world deployment will depend heavily on compute economics. Near-Term Evolution (2025) Core Intelligence Advancements Interface & Control Improvements Memory & Context Expansion Infrastructure & Scaling Constraints Medium-Term Developments (2026) Core Intelligence Enhancements Interface & Control Innovations Memory & Context Strengthening Current AI systems struggle with basic UI interactions, achieving only ~40% success rates in structured applications. However, novel learning approaches—such as reverse task synthesis, which allows agents to infer workflows through exploration—have nearly doubled success rates in GUI interactions. By 2026, AI agents may transition from executing predefined commands to autonomously understanding and interacting with software environments. Conclusion The trajectory of AI agents points toward increased autonomy, but significant challenges remain. The key developments driving progress include: ✅ Test-time compute unlocking scalable reasoning ✅ Memory architectures improving context retention ✅ Planning optimizations enhancing task decomposition ✅ Security frameworks ensuring safe deployment ✅ Human-AI collaboration models refining interaction efficiency While we may be approaching AGI-like capabilities in specialized domains (e.g., software development, mathematical reasoning), broader applications will depend on breakthroughs in context understanding, UI interaction, and security. Balancing computational feasibility with operational effectiveness remains the primary hurdle in transitioning AI agents from experimental technology to indispensable enterprise tools. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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AI and Robotics Revolution

The world’s leading CEOs are increasingly preparing for the imminent AI and robotics revolution, signaling a profound shift in the future of work. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff recently offered a compelling vision of this future, where the boundaries between human and digital labor become increasingly blurred. In a striking declaration, Benioff stated that he would be the last Salesforce CEO to oversee a workforce composed solely of humans, underscoring the transformative impact of AI and robotics on the workplace. His remarks, which touched on the “digital labor revolution,” the multi-trillion-dollar economic opportunity it represents, and the rise of “agents” and robots, provide a thought-provoking glimpse into the evolving relationship between humans and technology in the professional sphere. Benioff elaborated on the concept of the “digital labor revolution,” describing it as a monumental opportunity worth between three and twelve trillion dollars. He emphasized that this revolution encompasses not only AI-driven agents and the “agentic age” but also the dawn of a “robotic age.” He highlighted China’s advancements in robotics as particularly noteworthy, pointing to the global competition in this rapidly evolving field. “The digital labor revolution is this three to twelve trillion dollar opportunity,” Benioff explained. “It involves agents and digital agents and the agentic age, but it also beholds a robotic age. And in the robotic age, who is going to make the robots? I think that that’s very impressive what the Chinese have been able to do with this robotic age. So the robots, the agents, AI—this is all part and parcel of the future.” When questioned about the implications for the workforce, Benioff made it clear that the integration of robots and AI agents into the workplace is inevitable. He envisions a future where humans work alongside these technologies in a collaborative manner. “The robotic age means for the workforce that we are going to work hand in hand with agents and robots,” he said. “I’ve told my employees, my customers, I’ll be the last CEO of Salesforce who only managed humans.” Benioff’s statement is more than a prediction; it is an acknowledgment of a rapidly approaching reality. His reference to the multi-trillion-dollar economic potential of AI and robotics highlights the scale of the opportunity, while his recognition of China’s progress in robotics underscores the global race to lead in this transformative domain. The concept of the “agentic age,” where AI agents operate autonomously, further underscores the shifting dynamics of the workplace, as traditional roles and processes are redefined by technological advancements. The implications of Benioff’s remarks are far-reaching. The integration of AI and robotics into the workforce will not simply augment human labor; it will fundamentally reshape it. This transformation will require a significant shift in mindset for both workers and leaders. Employees will need to adapt to collaborating with AI-powered agents and robots, acquiring new skills to remain relevant in an evolving job market. Companies, meanwhile, will face the challenge of integrating and managing a hybrid workforce, ensuring seamless collaboration between human and digital workers. Ethical considerations, such as the potential for job displacement and the responsible use of AI, will also need to be addressed proactively. Benioff’s words serve as a wake-up call, urging businesses and individuals alike to prepare for a future where humans and machines work side by side. This new era promises unprecedented levels of productivity and innovation, but it also demands careful planning and adaptation. As the lines between human and digital labor continue to blur, the organizations and individuals that embrace this change and invest in the necessary skills and infrastructure will be best positioned to thrive in the age of AI and robotics. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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Shift From AI Agents to AI Agent Tool Use

Building Scalable AI Agents

Building Scalable AI Agents: Infrastructure, Planning, and Security The key building blocks of AI agents—planning, tool integration, and memory—demand sophisticated infrastructure to function effectively in production environments. As the technology advances, several critical components have emerged as essential for successful deployments. Development Frameworks & Architecture The ecosystem for AI agent development has matured, with several key frameworks leading the way: While these frameworks offer unique features, successful agents typically share three core architectural components: Despite these strong foundations, production deployments often require customization to address high-scale workloads, security requirements, and system integrations. Planning & Execution Handling complex tasks requires advanced planning and execution flows, typically structured around: An agent’s effectiveness hinges on its ability to: ✅ Generate structured plans by intelligently combining tools and knowledge (e.g., correctly sequencing API calls for a customer refund request).✅ Validate each task step to prevent errors from compounding.✅ Optimize computational costs in long-running operations.✅ Recover from failures through dynamic replanning.✅ Apply multiple validation strategies, from structural verification to runtime testing.✅ Collaborate with other agents when consensus-based decisions improve accuracy. While multi-agent consensus models improve accuracy, they are computationally expensive. Even OpenAI finds that running parallel model instances for consensus-based responses remains cost-prohibitive, with ChatGPT Pro priced at $200/month. Running majority-vote systems for complex tasks can triple or quintuple costs, making single-agent architectures with robust planning and validation more viable for production use. Memory & Retrieval AI agents require advanced memory management to maintain context and learn from experience. Memory systems typically include: 1. Context Window 2. Working Memory (State Maintained During a Task) Key context management techniques: 3. Long-Term Memory & Knowledge Management AI agents rely on structured storage systems for persistent knowledge: Advanced Memory Capabilities Standardization efforts like Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) are emerging to streamline memory integration, but challenges remain in balancing computational efficiency, consistency, and real-time retrieval. Security & Execution As AI agents gain autonomy, security and auditability become critical. Production deployments require multiple layers of protection: 1. Tool Access Control 2. Execution Validation 3. Secure Execution Environments 4. API Governance & Access Control 5. Monitoring & Observability 6. Audit Trails These security measures must balance flexibility, reliability, and operational control to ensure trustworthy AI-driven automation. Conclusion Building production-ready AI agents requires a carefully designed infrastructure that balances:✅ Advanced memory systems for context retention.✅ Sophisticated planning capabilities to break down tasks.✅ Secure execution environments with strong access controls. While AI agents offer immense potential, their adoption remains experimental across industries. Organizations must strategically evaluate where AI agents justify their complexity, ensuring that they provide clear, measurable benefits over traditional AI models. 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 Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more 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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itsm

Salesforce Move Into IT Service Management

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff Signals Bold Move into IT Service Management (ITSM)Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has once again made headlines, this time with a bold announcement about the company’s expansion into IT Service Management (ITSM). During a recent appearance on the Motley Fool podcast, Benioff revealed that Salesforce is “building new apps, like ITSM.” This follows a subtle hint he dropped during an earnings call, where he teased, “At our TrailheadDX event… You might get a glimpse of the new ITSM product that’s coming if you look hard.” While the ITSM product didn’t take center stage at the event, Salesforce’s intentions to make significant strides in the ITSM space are clear. This move is particularly intriguing given the evolving dynamics between the ITSM and CRM markets, where Salesforce and ServiceNow are increasingly encroaching on each other’s territories. ServiceNow’s CRM Ambitions: A Challenge to Salesforce ServiceNow, the dominant player in the ITSM market, has been making bold moves into CRM, a domain where Salesforce has long been the leader. In fact, Salesforce outsells its closest competitor, Microsoft, by nearly four-to-one in the CRM space. However, ServiceNow is determined to carve out a significant share of the CRM market. Earlier this week, ServiceNow announced its agreement to acquire Moveworks for $2.8 billion. In an interview with CNBC, ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott emphasized that this acquisition would strengthen the company’s front-office capabilities and bolster its ambition to become “the market leader” in CRM. Unlike traditional CRM competitors who often compete on price, ServiceNow offers a unique value proposition. Its CRM solution integrates with middle- and back-office workflows, encompassing order management, inventory, invoicing, and more. This end-to-end approach provides a more data-rich CRM experience, setting ServiceNow apart from Salesforce. While Salesforce still holds an edge in ease-of-implementation and core CRM functionality—particularly as ServiceNow relies on partners for marketing CRM capabilities—ServiceNow’s differentiated approach poses a long-term threat. Its strong foothold among IT teams, who are increasingly influencing customer-facing technology decisions, adds to its competitive advantage. Salesforce’s ITSM Push: A Strategic Countermove? Benioff’s announcement about Salesforce’s ITSM ambitions could be seen as a strategic countermeasure to ServiceNow’s CRM expansion. Over the years, the two tech giants have steadily encroached on each other’s markets, leveraging their respective strengths to diversify their offerings. As the lines between enterprise technologies continue to blur, the competition between Salesforce and ServiceNow is heating up. With the rise of AI and data platforms, businesses are seeking more integrated and innovative solutions, setting the stage for a fascinating battle of innovation and market dominance. Benioff Takes Aim at Microsoft—Again Adding another layer to this competitive narrative, Benioff didn’t miss the opportunity to critique Microsoft during the podcast. While he expressed amazement at the rapid advancements in AI over the past two years, he also took a jab at Microsoft’s offerings. “I think a lot of our customers have been very disappointed with a lot of the solutions that have been given to them—or even shoved at them,” Benioff said. “Even Microsoft has really disappointed so many of our customers. Copilot has a dozen copilots across its product lines, none of which are connected. It’s not one source of data or one piece of enterprise code.” This isn’t the first time Benioff has targeted Microsoft. He has previously expressed skepticism about its approach to AI, even comparing its Copilot feature to the infamous “Clippy” assistant from the past. A High-Stakes Battle of Innovation As the tech industry continues to evolve, the competition between Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Microsoft is intensifying. With Salesforce venturing into ITSM, ServiceNow pushing into CRM, and Benioff’s recurring critiques of Microsoft, the coming months promise to bring even more innovation—and perhaps a few more pointed remarks. The battle lines are drawn, and the stakes are high. As these tech giants vie for dominance, businesses stand to benefit from the wave of innovation and competition driving the industry forward. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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advanced analytics

Maximizing Sales Performance with Salesforce Sales Analytics

Salesforce, a leading CRM platform, provides powerful sales analytics tools that empower businesses to make data-driven decisions, boost productivity, and drive revenue growth. This guide highlights the importance of Salesforce Sales Analytics, its key features, and how to leverage them to optimize your sales team’s performance. Key Features of Salesforce Sales Analytics 1. Reports and Dashboards Salesforce’s reporting capabilities enable users to create custom dashboards and reports for real-time insights into lead conversion, sales performance, and other critical metrics. These visual tools help businesses track trends and make informed decisions effortlessly. 2. Einstein Analytics Powered by AI and machine learning, Einstein Analytics offers: 3. Sales Cloud Analytics Sales Cloud Analytics helps businesses: 4. Forecasting Tools Salesforce’s AI-powered forecasting tools provide accurate revenue projections by analyzing: How Different Teams Benefit from Sales Analytics ✅ Executives – Gain a high-level view of sales, service, and pipeline performance with real-time dashboards highlighting key business metrics. ✅ Sales Managers – Monitor team performance, track quota attainment, analyze pipeline changes, and optimize sales cycles to accelerate deal closures. ✅ Sales Representatives – Get insights into personal sales performance, pipeline activities, and quota attainment, allowing for quicker decision-making and identification of new business opportunities. ✅ Operations Teams – Analyze sales performance by customer, region, and source to optimize negotiation strategies and business development efforts. Setting Up the Salesforce Sales Analytics App 1. Launch Analytics Studio Navigate to Analytics Studio via the Sales Home page and click on the Apps button. 2. Search for Sales Analytics If the Sales Analytics App does not appear by default, use the search bar to locate it. 3. Access the Default Dashboard The default dashboard provides key metrics, including: 4. Customize Widgets Modify data representation by selecting the Edit button and customizing widgets to align with your business needs. 5. Adjust Goal Widgets Update goal widgets to match your sales targets and business objectives. 6. Explore Additional Dashboards Salesforce offers role-specific dashboards for Sales Managers, Executives, and other stakeholders to gain tailored insights. 7. Utilize the Lens Feature for Visualizations Leverage Lens to create object-specific visualizations, such as opportunities by time, stage, owner, and more. Conclusion Integrating Salesforce Sales Analytics with Tableau CRM creates a comprehensive Business Intelligence (BI) solution. However, businesses looking for a simpler or more cost-effective alternative may consider exporting Salesforce data into third-party analytics platforms for additional flexibility and ease of use. By leveraging Salesforce Sales Analytics, businesses can enhance forecasting, improve decision-making, and drive sales performance with real-time insights. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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AI Captivates the World

AI vs Human Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Intelligence: Key Differences Explained Artificial intelligence (AI) often mimics human-like capabilities, but there are fundamental differences between natural human intelligence and artificial systems. While AI has made remarkable strides in replicating certain aspects of human cognition, it operates in ways that are distinct from how humans think, learn, and solve problems. Below, we explore three key areas where AI and human intelligence diverge. Defining Intelligence Human IntelligenceHuman intelligence is often described using terms like smartness, understanding, brainpower, reasoning, sharpness, and wisdom. These concepts reflect the complexity of human cognition, which has been debated for thousands of years. At its core, human intelligence is a biopsychological capacity to acquire, apply, and adapt knowledge and skills. It encompasses not only logical reasoning but also emotional understanding, creativity, and social interaction. Artificial IntelligenceAI refers to machines designed to perform tasks traditionally associated with human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Over the past few decades, AI has advanced rapidly, particularly in areas like machine learning and generative AI. However, AI lacks the depth and breadth of human intelligence, operating instead through algorithms and data processing. Human Intelligence: What Humans Do Better Humans excel in areas that require empathy, judgment, intuition, and creativity. These qualities are deeply rooted in our evolution as social beings. For example: These capabilities make human intelligence uniquely suited for tasks that involve emotional connection, ethical decision-making, and creative thinking. Artificial Intelligence: What AI Does Better AI outperforms humans in several areas, particularly those involving data processing, pattern recognition, and speed: However, AI’s strengths are limited to the data it is trained on and the algorithms it uses, lacking the adaptability and contextual understanding of human intelligence. 3 Key Differences Between AI and Human Intelligence AI and Human Intelligence: Working Together The future lies in human-AI collaboration, where the strengths of both are leveraged to address complex challenges. For example: While some may find the idea of integrating AI into decision-making unsettling, the scale of global challenges—from climate change to healthcare—demands the combined power of human and artificial intelligence. By working together, humans and AI can amplify each other’s strengths while mitigating weaknesses. Conclusion AI and human intelligence are fundamentally different, each excelling in areas where the other falls short. Human intelligence is unparalleled in creativity, empathy, and ethical reasoning, while AI dominates in data processing, pattern recognition, and speed. The key to unlocking the full potential of AI lies in human-AI collaboration, where the unique strengths of both are harnessed to solve the world’s most pressing problems. As we move forward, this partnership will likely become not just beneficial but essential. 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 Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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AI in Airport Operations

VINCI Airports Leverages AI to Enhance Passenger Experience and Optimize Operations Across airside, landside, and terminal operations, VINCI Airports— a Corporate Partner of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub— is harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform passenger experiences, streamline airport flow, and reduce CO2 emissions. As an Innovation Center of Excellence for VINCI Airports, Lyon Airport is at the forefront of testing and implementing Generative AI (GenAI) to enhance customer interactions and operational efficiency. “AI is more than a buzzword—it’s a powerful tool for driving efficiency, improving interactions, personalizing services, and saving time,” says César Clary, Head of Digital & Innovation at Aéroports de Lyon/VINCI Airports. However, he emphasizes that AI should serve as a means to an end, not just a goal in itself. “We are making significant strides in leveraging AI to personalize services, improve efficiency, and reshape airport management.” AI-Powered Enhancements at Lyon Airport With over 10 million passengers passing through Lyon Airport each year, maintaining a cutting-edge customer experience is a priority. VINCI Airports has integrated AI-driven solutions into key customer touchpoints through in-house development and strategic partnerships: “The goal is to create more personalized and seamless interactions for travelers while supporting our staff,” Clary explains. By enabling natural language communication, real-time insights, and personalized recommendations, GenAI and Agentic AI are revolutionizing customer interactions and setting the stage for future service innovations. AI in Airport Operations Beyond customer service, AI is enhancing operational efficiency through: Overcoming Challenges in AI Implementation Despite AI’s vast potential, its adoption comes with challenges. Effective AI integration requires: Clary offers a strategic approach for AI adoption: “Spend time on algorithms and technology, but above all, invest in people, processes, and change management. Start small, demonstrate value, and educate your teams to ensure successful adoption.” With Lyon Airport leading the way, VINCI Airports is proving that GenAI is not just a futuristic concept but a transformative force in modern mobility. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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ai arms race

The Two Types of Voice AI

The Two Types of Voice AI: Assistive AI vs. Autonomous AI Voice AI is transforming customer service by automating tasks, enhancing productivity, and improving customer satisfaction. But not all Voice AI functions the same way — there are two primary types: Assistive AI and Autonomous AI. Understanding their unique roles can help businesses deploy the right solution to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Assistive AI: Empowering Service Representatives Assistive AI works alongside human service representatives, enhancing their efficiency by providing real-time guidance and support during live interactions. Rather than replacing human agents, Assistive AI streamlines workflows, surfaces relevant information, and handles routine tasks — allowing service reps to resolve issues faster and more accurately. Here’s how Assistive AI transforms the customer service experience: 🚀 Real-Time Call Guidance As a customer describes their issue, Assistive AI follows the live call transcript, instantly surfacing relevant knowledge articles, past interaction history, and next-best actions for the agent. This eliminates the need for reps to manually search for information, reducing call times and improving resolution accuracy. For example, if a customer calls to reschedule a hotel stay, Assistive AI can immediately: The result? Faster resolutions and happier customers. 📝 Automated Call Summaries Generative AI capabilities allow Assistive AI to automatically summarize calls once they conclude. Instead of requiring agents to manually document case notes, Assistive AI generates: This significantly reduces post-call administrative work and ensures accurate case documentation. 🎯 Next-Best Action Recommendations Assistive AI can analyze customer sentiment and intent during a call. For example: This proactive support helps agents resolve issues faster, reduce churn, and improve overall customer satisfaction. 📊 Supervisor Alerts Based on Sentiment Assistive AI doesn’t just assist agents — it also helps supervisors. If Assistive AI detects a sharp decline in customer sentiment (such as anger, frustration, or confusion), it can: This prevents escalations from spiraling out of control, protecting the customer experience. ✅ Key Benefits of Assistive AI: Assistive AI empowers human agents — making them smarter, faster, and more effective at delivering outstanding customer service. Autonomous AI: Self-Sufficient Customer Service Agents While Assistive AI works alongside human agents, Autonomous AI can independently handle customer interactions without requiring human intervention. Autonomous AI acts as a fully capable, virtual agent capable of resolving complex requests, completing transactions, and delivering personalized service — all in real-time. This next generation of Voice AI is transforming how businesses handle high call volumes, reducing costs while delivering faster, more accurate service. 💬 Conversational, Human-Like Interactions Unlike traditional IVR systems, Autonomous AI engages in natural, human-like conversations without rigid menu trees or button prompts. Customers can speak in their own words, and the AI agent will: For example: This level of automation significantly reduces operational costs and enhances customer satisfaction. 🔄 Task Execution Across Systems Autonomous AI is not just conversational — it’s actionable. It can directly integrate with: This enables Autonomous AI to complete complex tasks like: No hold times. No transfers. Just fast, efficient resolutions. 💡 Smart Escalation for Complex Cases If a task exceeds the AI agent’s capabilities, it can automatically: This seamless handoff ensures high-quality service without frustrating the customer. 🧠 Continuous Learning and Improvement Like Assistive AI, Autonomous AI continuously learns from customer interactions. Over time, it improves its accuracy, expands its task-handling capabilities, and becomes more effective at resolving complex issues — reducing human intervention further. ✅ Key Benefits of Autonomous AI: Autonomous AI transforms customer service by automating high-volume interactions, allowing human agents to focus on high-value, complex cases. The Power of Voice AI: Assistive + Autonomous Working Together The true power of Voice AI lies in combining Assistive AI and Autonomous AI. Together, they create an optimal balance of automation and human support: Additional Business Benefits of Voice AI 📈 Scalability Without Increasing Costs Voice AI allows businesses to handle thousands of customer calls simultaneously without expanding headcount. This ensures consistent, 24/7 support while keeping operational costs low. 💵 Revenue Growth Through Personalization By analyzing customer history and real-time sentiment, Voice AI can offer: This enables businesses to not only resolve issues but also drive revenue growth. 📊 Data-Driven Insights for Continuous Improvement Voice AI captures and analyzes customer interactions to identify: These insights empower businesses to proactively enhance their products, services, and overall customer experience. 🌐 Enhanced Accessibility for Diverse Customers Voice AI also improves accessibility by enabling voice-based interactions for customers with disabilities or language barriers, ensuring an inclusive support experience. The Future of Customer Service is Voice AI The days of clunky IVR systems and long hold times are over. Voice AI — both Assistive and Autonomous — is revolutionizing customer service by enabling: Forward-thinking businesses that embrace Voice AI now will not only enhance customer experiences but also drive operational efficiency, reduce costs, and increase revenue. ✅ Ready to transform your contact center with Voice AI?Discover how Assistive and Autonomous AI can redefine your customer service — improving satisfaction, reducing costs, and unlocking new growth opportunities. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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