RIG Archives - gettectonic.com
AI Agents in Business 2025
12Apr

Digital-First Auto Expectations

Gen Z is Reshaping the Auto Industry with AI and Digital-First Expectations As the first generation of digital natives, Gen Z is entering the car market with a strong preference for personalized, tech-driven experiences—disrupting traditional purchasing and leasing models. According to recent Salesforce research, 74% of Gen Z buyers want AI-powered agents to advise them on the optimal time to buy based on pricing trends, promotions, and incentives. To stay competitive, automotive leaders must adapt their strategies to meet these evolving expectations. Gen Z Embraces AI for Car Research and Financing Compared to older generations, Gen Z is far more likely to rely on AI for car shopping: A Tech-First Approach to Car Buying Gen Z’s reliance on technology stems from challenges in navigating the traditional car-buying process: Greater Trust in AI and Demand for Personalization Gen Z shows significantly higher confidence in AI-driven solutions: Subscription Models and Flexible Ownership Younger buyers favor innovative payment and ownership options: The Future of Automotive Retail With Gen Z leading the shift toward AI-powered car buying, maintenance, and flexible ownership models, automakers and dealers must prioritize digital-first solutions, transparent pricing, and hyper-personalized experiences to capture this influential market. Tectonic is here to help your company deliver on these Gen Z expectations with Salesforce. Contact us today! Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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April 12, 2025in Salesforce, Technology0 Comments
What is a CRM
11Apr

Customer Relationship Management

Salesforce has transformed the way businesses manage customer relationships, sales, and marketing. Its capabilities extend into the events industry, enabling seamless integration for event planning, marketing, sales, and attendee engagement. By leveraging Salesforce, event organizers can streamline lead management, automate marketing campaigns, track event performance, and enhance attendee experiences. This guide explores how Salesforce can optimize event success and drive higher ROI. Managing Leads with Salesforce Effective lead management is critical to maximizing event ROI. Salesforce offers powerful tools to streamline lead capture, scoring, nurturing, segmentation, and tracking—helping sales teams convert attendees into customers. Seamless Lead Capture Salesforce integrates with event registration forms, mobile apps, and onsite check-in systems to: A centralized approach provides a 360-degree view of each attendee, empowering sales and marketing teams to act strategically. AI-Powered Lead Scoring Salesforce’s AI-driven lead scoring prioritizes leads by tracking: This data-driven approach helps sales teams focus on the most promising leads for personalized follow-ups. Automated Lead Nurturing Salesforce automation tools keep leads engaged post-event through: Advanced Lead Segmentation Salesforce enables lead categorization for targeted outreach: Tracking Sales Opportunities with Salesforce Beyond lead management, Salesforce empowers event teams with tools to monitor revenue-generating opportunities, such as ticket sales, sponsorship deals, and exhibitor partnerships. Comprehensive Opportunity Management Salesforce enables tracking of every stage of the sales process, including: Real-Time Sales Pipeline Visibility Salesforce’s pipeline management tools allow teams to: Customizable Sales Reporting Salesforce reporting capabilities help event organizers: Automating Event Marketing Tasks with Salesforce Marketing automation is key to scaling outreach, enhancing engagement, and driving conversions. Salesforce provides tools that streamline marketing efforts, personalize communication, and measure campaign success. Email Marketing Automation Salesforce automates email campaigns to ensure timely communication: Social Media Integration & Management Salesforce allows teams to manage and track social media engagement from one platform: Integrating Salesforce with Event Technology Seamless integration between Salesforce and event technology centralizes data, improves efficiency, and enhances engagement. Event Management Platform Integration Salesforce integrates with platforms like Cvent, Bizzabo, and Eventbrite to enable: Mobile Event Apps & On-Site Engagement Tools Syncing Salesforce with mobile event apps provides real-time insights and tracking: Marketing Automation Tool Integrations Salesforce enhances marketing efficiency by integrating with platforms like HubSpot, Marketo, and Pardot: Reporting and Analytics: Unlocking Actionable Insights Salesforce provides robust analytics to help organizers measure performance, optimize strategies, and maximize ROI. Customizable Reports for Event Insights Salesforce enables comprehensive reporting on: ROI Analysis for Strategic Planning Salesforce’s ROI analysis tools help organizers: Best Practices for Using Salesforce for Events To maximize Salesforce’s value in event management, organizations should adopt best practices: 1. Data Hygiene: Keeping Information Accurate 2. Training & Adoption: Empowering Teams 3. Customization: Tailoring Salesforce for Event Needs 4. Integration Strategy: Creating a Unified Event Tech Ecosystem By implementing these best practices, organizations can fully leverage Salesforce to enhance event success, improve attendee engagement, and drive higher ROI. 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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April 11, 2025in Data, Marketing Automation, Salesforce, Technology0 Comments
Marketing Intelligence Ad Management
09Apr

Marketing Intelligence Ad Management

Marketing intelligence and ad management involve gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data to understand market trends, competitor activities, and consumer behavior, enabling businesses to make informed decisions and optimize their advertising campaigns.  What is Marketing Intelligence? How Marketing Intelligence Helps with Ad Management 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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April 9, 2025in Data, Google, Marketing Intelligence0 Comments
Agentforce to the Team
08Apr

Agentforce Explained

What Is Agentforce? As a kid, you probably wished for a robot to handle chores like washing dishes or tidying your room so you could spend more time riding bikes or playing video games. Now, as an adult in the business world, that wish hasn’t changed—you still want something to handle tedious tasks and improve customer interactions. Enter Agentforce. Agentforce seamlessly integrates AI-powered agents into your workflows, allowing them to manage tasks for employees and customers. These agents understand your business and can autonomously handle a range of responsibilities, making work more efficient and engaging. How Does Agentforce Work? Agentforce is a proactive, conversational AI solution built on the Salesforce Platform. It consists of autonomous AI agents that can interpret inquiries, take actions, and adapt dynamically with minimal or no human intervention. Think of them as digital teammates that learn, respond, and execute tasks efficiently within your predefined guidelines. Key Components of Agentforce Data Like employees, AI agents need information to perform effectively. With Agentforce, you define the data and access controls available to your agents. They can utilize structured and unstructured data from knowledge articles, CRM records, and external sources to complete their tasks securely. Reasoning The core intelligence behind each agent is its reasoning engine, which enables it to comprehend user intent, navigate complex interactions, and make informed decisions. Salesforce’s Atlas Reasoning Engine powers this capability, ensuring agents can adapt as conversations evolve. Actions Actions are the specific tasks an agent performs, such as initiating a product return, generating sales emails, or accessing external APIs. These actions can be customized or created from scratch to align with your business processes. Topics Topics define what an agent is capable of handling. For example, an Order Management topic might include actions like tracking orders or processing returns. Natural language instructions assigned to topics help agents execute the right actions at the right time. Channels Agentforce can be deployed across multiple communication platforms, including Salesforce, Slack, text messaging, and email. Agents can also integrate workflows across channels for a seamless experience. How Agentforce Gets Work Done When a user submits a request, the agent identifies the most relevant topic and initiates corresponding actions. It might retrieve customer details, book appointments, or search your knowledge base for solutions. If additional information is needed, the agent can request clarification or escalate the issue when necessary. What Jobs Can Agentforce Perform? Agentforce offers both standard agents and custom agents, catering to different business needs. Standard Agents Agentforce includes a library of ready-to-use AI agents designed for various roles. These agents come pre-configured with relevant topics and actions and integrate seamlessly with specific Salesforce clouds and licenses. Some examples include: Custom Agents If no standard agent fits your needs, you can create a custom agent using natural language commands. Simply describe the job, and Agentforce will generate relevant topics and instructions based on its extensive library of actions and workflows. For instance, you can configure an agent to review travel expenses or manage internal approvals. Note: The standard agents available depend on your Salesforce licenses. Check if a standard agent meets your needs before creating a custom one. Where Can You Use Agentforce? If you have the necessary Agentforce permissions, you can configure agents for both employees and customers. Employees can interact with agents directly within Salesforce, Slack, or mobile apps for tasks like summarizing account details or reviewing cases. Customers can engage with agents via websites or experience sites for support, scheduling, and self-service interactions. Agents and Trust Salesforce prioritizes security, and Agentforce is built with the Einstein Trust Layer to mitigate AI risks. This ensures: The Agentforce Testing Center allows you to preview and refine agent responses, ensuring reliability and security before deployment. Wrap-Up Agentforce brings the power of AI-driven automation to your business, enabling digital teammates that assist with tasks, improve efficiency, and enhance customer interactions. By integrating natural language processing, intelligent reasoning, and secure data handling, Agentforce helps businesses scale operations while maintaining trust and control. Whether you use standard or custom agents, the possibilities for automation are limitless. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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April 8, 2025in Agentforce Platform, Agentic AI, Data0 Comments
time series artificial intelligence
07Apr

Revolutionizing Time Series AI

Revolutionizing Time Series AI: Salesforce’s Synthetic Data Breakthrough for Foundation Models Revolutionizing Time Series AI. Time series analysis is hindered by critical challenges in data availability, quality, and diversity—key factors in building powerful foundation models. Real-world datasets often suffer from regulatory constraints, inherent biases, inconsistent quality, and a lack of paired textual annotations, making it difficult to develop robust Time Series Foundation Models (TSFMs) and Time Series Large Language Models (TSLLMs). These limitations stifle progress in forecasting, classification, anomaly detection, reasoning, and captioning, restricting AI’s full potential. To tackle these obstacles, Salesforce AI Research has pioneered an innovative approach: leveraging synthetic data to enhance TSFMs and TSLLMs. Their groundbreaking study, “Empowering Time Series Analysis with Synthetic Data,” introduces a strategic framework for using synthetic data to refine model training, evaluation, and fine-tuning—while mitigating biases, expanding dataset diversity, and enriching contextual understanding. This approach is particularly transformative in regulated sectors like healthcare and finance, where real-world data sharing is heavily restricted. The Science Behind Synthetic Data Generation Salesforce’s methodology employs advanced synthetic data generation techniques tailored to replicate real-world time series dynamics, including trends, seasonality, and noise patterns. Key innovations include: These methods enable controlled yet highly varied data generation, capturing a broad spectrum of time series behaviors essential for robust model training. Proven Benefits: How Synthetic Data Supercharges Model Performance Salesforce’s research reveals significant performance gains from synthetic data across multiple stages of AI development: ✅ Pretraining Boost – Models like ForecastPFN, Mamba4Cast, and TimesFM showed marked improvements when pretrained on synthetic data. ForecastPFN, for instance, excelled in zero-shot forecasting after full synthetic pretraining. ✅ Optimal Data Blending – Chronos found peak performance by mixing 10% synthetic data with real-world datasets, beyond which excessive synthetic data could reduce diversity and effectiveness. ✅ Enhanced Evaluation – Synthetic data allowed precise assessment of model capabilities, uncovering hidden biases and gaps. For example, Moment used synthetic sinusoidal waves to analyze embedding sensitivity and trend detection accuracy. Future Directions: Overcoming Limitations While synthetic data offers immense promise, Salesforce identifies key areas for improvement: 🔹 Systematic Integration – Developing structured frameworks to strategically fill gaps in real-world datasets.🔹 Beyond Statistical Methods – Exploring diffusion models and other generative AI techniques for richer, more realistic synthetic data.🔹 Fine-Tuning Potential – Leveraging synthetic data adaptively to address domain-specific weaknesses during fine-tuning. The Path Forward Salesforce AI Research demonstrates that synthetic data is a game-changer for time series analysis, enabling stronger generalization, reduced bias, and superior performance across AI tasks. While challenges like realism and alignment remain, the future is bright—advancements in generative AI, human-in-the-loop refinement, and systematic gap-filling will further propel the reliability and applicability of time series models. By embracing synthetic data, Salesforce is laying the foundation for the next generation of AI-driven time series innovation—ushering in a new era of accuracy, adaptability, and intelligence. 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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April 7, 2025in Data, Generative AI, Salesforce0 Comments
Sending Emails Through Salesforce
07Apr

Are Email Open Rates the Key to Success

Are Email Open Rates the Key to Success? Myth or Truth? Email marketing remains a cornerstone for digital marketers aiming to generate leads. Many believe that higher email open rates directly correlate with better campaign performance, while others argue that email marketing alone isn’t enough to drive conversions. The truth? Open rates matter—but only when paired with the right strategy and technology. This guide explores why email open rates are important, how they impact lead generation, and how Salesforce tools like Marketing Cloud and Agentforce can help optimize email marketing efforts. Why Email Open Rates Matter Email open rates serve as an early indicator of campaign success. When recipients open an email, it signals interest and engagement, which can lead to conversions. According to a 2023 Statista report, email open rates vary widely: While open rates are a useful metric, they shouldn’t be the sole measure of success. Instead, they should be analyzed alongside click-through rates (CTR) and conversion rates to get a full picture of campaign performance. The Challenges of Low Email Open Rates Many businesses struggle with low open rates due to several factors: To overcome these challenges, businesses must segment their audience, personalize messaging, and automate workflows—which is where Salesforce excels. Boosting Email Open Rates with Salesforce Salesforce, a leader in CRM solutions, offers powerful tools like Marketing Cloud and Agentforce to optimize email marketing. Here’s how: 1. Advanced Segmentation for Higher Open Rates Segmenting your email list ensures that your messages reach the right audience. Salesforce enables businesses to group recipients based on: 2. Personalization with AI-Powered Recommendations Generic emails no longer cut it. With AI-driven insights, Salesforce allows businesses to: 3. Automated Email Workflows for Efficiency Automation helps marketers reach audiences at the right time with minimal effort. Using Salesforce Agentforce, businesses can: 4. Data-Driven Insights for Continuous Improvement Salesforce’s analytics tools provide real-time performance tracking, including: 5. Integration with Other Salesforce Tools Email marketing works best when integrated with CRM data and sales pipelines. Salesforce enables: Are Email Open Rates the Ultimate Metric? While email open rates matter, they are just one piece of the puzzle. When combined with CTR, conversion rates, and AI-driven automation, businesses can refine their strategy and generate more leads. By leveraging Salesforce Marketing Cloud and Agentforce, companies can optimize segmentation, personalization, and automation—ensuring that their email marketing campaigns not only get opened but also convert. Ready to boost your email marketing performance? Explore Salesforce solutions today. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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April 7, 2025in Data, Salesforce, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Technology0 Comments

Get a Grip on Agentforce

Salesforce Agentforce: The Next Evolution in AI Automation Salesforce is a powerhouse for sales, customer support, and marketing. While automations and integrations already help streamline workflows, Salesforce Agentforce takes efficiency to a whole new level. This guide breaks down what Agentforce is, how it works, and five impactful ways to use it in your organization. What is Salesforce Agentforce? Agentforce is Salesforce’s AI-driven automation tool that enables businesses to deploy autonomous AI agents for tasks like managing customer requests, scheduling meetings, and optimizing sales pipelines. Unlike basic chatbots, these AI agents operate independently—analyzing data, making decisions, and executing actions without constant user input. How AI Agents Work Traditional AI tools like ChatGPT and Jasper assist with tasks when prompted, but AI agents go further. They: With Agentforce, Salesforce users can automate more than ever before—including delegating routine decisions to AI. 5 Ways to Use Salesforce Agentforce 1. Enhancing Customer Support with AI Agents AI agents go beyond standard chatbots by dynamically searching company data in real time to provide personalized support. They can: 2. Automating Routine Support Tasks Many customer requests are too complex for basic automation but still repetitive for human agents. AI agents can independently process requests like: ✔ Updating reservations (restaurants, hotels, events)✔ Redeeming loyalty points (e-commerce, retail)✔ Processing refunds (subscriptions, software)✔ Rescheduling appointments (professional services, healthcare) 3. Delivering Smarter, Data-Driven Sales Engagement AI agents can identify opportunities for engagement based on real-time customer data. Instead of waiting for reps to manually review accounts, AI agents can: 4. Launching Workflows Directly from Chat Apps Sales and project teams often brainstorm in chat apps like Slack. Instead of manually transferring ideas into Salesforce, Agentforce can: 5. Scaling Sales Training with AI Sales training is essential but resource-intensive. AI agents can roleplay as prospects, allowing reps to: Take Your AI Automation to the Next Level With Salesforce Agentforce, businesses can go beyond basic automation and deploy intelligent AI agents that handle repetitive tasks, optimize workflows, and drive better customer experiences. FAQ: Salesforce Agentforce What makes Agentforce different from regular automation?Unlike traditional automation, Agentforce AI agents can act independently—analyzing data, making decisions, and executing workflows without human intervention. Is Agentforce the same as Microsoft Copilot?No. While both use AI, Agentforce deploys autonomous AI agents that complete tasks, while Copilot assists users in real time with insights and recommendations. Who should use Agentforce?Salesforce admins, sales teams, and customer support leaders who want to automate complex workflows and free up their teams for high-value tasks. Looking to supercharge your Salesforce automation? Start with Agentforce 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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April 3, 2025in AI Tools, Data, Salesforce0 Comments
AI Agents as Tools of Trust
03Apr

5 Attributes of Agents

Salesforce predicts you will have deployed over 100 AI Agents by the end of the year. What are they? What do they do? Why do you need them? Let’s explore the 5 key attributes of AI Agents. What Is an AI Agent? An AI agent is an intelligent software system that uses artificial intelligence to autonomously pursue goals and complete tasks on behalf of users. Unlike traditional programs, AI agents exhibit reasoning, planning, memory, and decision-making abilities, allowing them to learn, adapt, and operate with minimal human intervention. These agents leverage generative AI and foundation models to process multimodal inputs—such as text, voice, video, and code—enabling them to:✔ Understand and analyze information✔ Make logical decisions✔ Learn from interactions✔ Collaborate with other agents✔ Automate complex workflows From customer service bots to autonomous research assistants, AI agents are transforming industries by handling tasks that once required human intelligence. Key Features of an AI Agent Modern AI agents go beyond simple automation—they possess advanced cognitive and interactive capabilities: Feature Description Reasoning Uses logic to analyze data, solve problems, and make decisions. Acting Executes tasks—whether digital (sending messages, updating databases) or physical (controlling robots). Observing Gathers real-time data via sensors, NLP, or computer vision to understand its environment. Planning Strategizes steps to achieve goals, anticipating obstacles and optimizing actions. Collaborating Works with humans or other AI agents to accomplish shared objectives. Self-Refining Continuously improves through machine learning and feedback. AI Agents vs. AI Assistants vs. Bots While all three automate tasks, they differ in autonomy, complexity, and learning ability: Aspect AI Agent AI Assistant Bot Purpose Autonomously performs complex tasks. Assists users with guided interactions. Follows pre-set rules for simple tasks. Autonomy High—makes independent decisions. Medium—requires user input. Low—limited to scripted responses. Learning Adapts and improves over time. May learn from interactions. Minimal or no learning. Interaction Proactive and goal-driven. Reactive (responds to user requests). Trigger-based (e.g., chatbots). Example: How Do AI Agents Work? AI agents operate through a structured framework: Types of AI Agents AI agents can be classified based on interaction style and collaboration level: 1. By Interaction 2. By Number of Agents Benefits of AI Agents ✅ 24/7 Automation – Handles repetitive tasks without fatigue.✅ Enhanced Decision-Making – Analyzes vast data for insights.✅ Scalability – Manages workflows across industries.✅ Continuous Learning – Improves performance over time. The Future of AI Agents As AI advances, agents will become more autonomous, intuitive, and integrated into daily workflows—from healthcare diagnostics to smart city management. Want to see AI agents in action? Explore 300+ real-world AI use cases from leading organizations. 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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April 3, 2025in Artificial Intelligence, Data, Generative AI, Salesforce0 Comments
Marketing Cloud Growth Edition
31Mar

HubSpot vs. Salesforce Marketing Cloud Growth

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

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March 31, 2025in Enterprise, Marketing Automation, Salesforce, Salesforce Einstein, Salesforce Marketing Cloud0 Comments
top ai sales tools
31Mar

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

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

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March 31, 2025in AI Tools, Data, Enterprise, Generative AI, Salesforce0 Comments
Tectonic Salesforce Integrations
25Mar

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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March 25, 2025in Data, Laws, Technology0 Comments
Salesforce’s Marketing Intelligence
25Mar

Salesforce’s Marketing Intelligence

Introducing Salesforce’s Marketing Intelligence: The Future of Marketing Analytics For the past dozen years, many marketers have been enamored with a powerful marketing analytics tool—Datorama, now known as Salesforce Marketing Cloud Intelligence (MCI). Regarded as one of the most seamless solutions for unifying data across multiple sources, MCI was built by marketers for marketers. It enables users to effortlessly combine data, generate reports, and build dashboards using plain language and pre-built data models. Whether for simple smart-lens dashboards or complex automated reporting triggered by specific events, MCI has been a game-changer. To the delight of marketers everywhere, Salesforce announced on March 18, 2025, a new evolution of the tool: Marketing Intelligence (MI). Built on the Salesforce Platform, MI takes the best of MCI and integrates it with Data Cloud’s unified architecture while introducing agentic AI features that deliver actionable, conversational insights. So, without further ado, let’s explore this exciting new tool. What Is Marketing Intelligence? Marketing Intelligence (MI) is a new Salesforce application designed to simplify marketing data management, deliver trustworthy insights, and maximize marketing ROI. Built on Data Cloud and deeply connected to the Salesforce ecosystem, MI is fully extensible—equipping marketers with everything they need to create powerful, meaningful dashboards with minimal effort. Data Cloud for Marketers, Made Easy One of the standout features of MCI has always been its AI-powered data mapping, which auto-populates based on past usage and logical predictions. Additionally, many APIs come with prebuilt models, reducing the need for manual configuration. These capabilities have helped marketers transition smoothly into data modeling and dashboarding without requiring deep technical expertise. Happily, MI retains and enhances these features. Users can upload a TotalConnect file (a flat file of their choice) or connect via API—with options like Google Ads available at launch and more integrations coming soon. Selecting a connection like Google Ads pulls in formatted data, ready for quick mapping, allowing users to build dashboards in just three clicks. Clean, Intuitive Dashboards MI’s dashboards are sleek, fast-loading, and prebuilt—yet fully customizable. A major upgrade over MCI is the inclusion of generative AI summaries, which analyze campaigns and highlight what’s working (and what isn’t). This feature represents the future of dashboarding: not just displaying data trends but explaining them in plain language and suggesting next steps. Marketers can even ask their AI agent to take action based on these insights, streamlining optimization like never before. This functionality is particularly valuable in large implementations where different users extract different insights from the same dashboard. Instead of manually interpreting data, marketers can now ask their AI agent for recommendations—saving time and reducing guesswork. Harmonized Data Across Channels The core goal of any marketing analytics tool—whether Data Cloud, MCI, or MI—is to unify cross-channel data into actionable insights. Beyond standardized API mapping, MI harmonizes fields across datasets and uses a semantic model to logically connect data (e.g., aligning campaign names across paid media, CRM, and other tools—even when naming conventions differ). For Existing MCI Users: What’s New? Many longtime MCI users may wonder: Can a new version really live up to the original? The answer? Absolutely. Here’s why: 1. Normalization, Simplified In MCI, joining messy and clean data often requires manual effort—using formulas or restructuring campaigns. MI changes that. With Einstein AI-powered normalization, users can automatically standardize data without manual adjustments, making cross-channel reporting smoother than ever. 2. Semantic Modeling Flexibility While MCI offers prebuilt data models, MI introduces semantic modeling, allowing users to define custom relationships across datasets. This means greater flexibility in structuring data, adding fields, and evolving models as business needs change—all while maintaining seamless integration with Salesforce objects. 3. ROI & Attribution, Supercharged The best MCI implementations tie cost/engagement data to real ROI. MI takes this further by integrating with Sales Cloud objects, enabling clearer ROI visualization. Additionally, attribution modeling is now more robust, with support for first- and last-touch attribution—helping marketers validate performance and optimize spend. For New Users: Why Choose MI? 1. Best-in-Class Data Harmonization MCI has long been the gold standard for unifying marketing data. Now, MI enhances this with Data Cloud integration, AI normalization, and three-click setup—making it the ultimate solution for marketers. 2. Smarter, Faster Visualizations While MCI offers strong visualization options, MI improves on two key pain points: 3. Unmatched Customization Want to dynamically rename campaigns, merge traffic sources, or filter data based on custom logic? MI makes it possible with pattern extraction, semantic-layer calculated fields, and Einstein normalization—giving marketers unprecedented control. A New Era for Marketing Analytics Marketing Intelligence launched on March 18, 2025 (requiring Data Cloud and MI licenses). Marketers eager to explore this next-generation tool should contact their Salesforce account executive. MI represents a leap forward in intelligent dashboarding, streamlining marketing data in ways MCI only hinted at. For data-driven marketers, the future is here—and it’s more powerful than ever. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

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March 25, 2025in Agentic AI, Data, Generative AI, Google, Marketing Intelligence, Salesforce, Salesforce Marketing Cloud0 Comments
B2B Customer Service with Agentforce
24Mar

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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March 24, 2025in Agentforce Platform, Agentic AI, Data, Generative AI, Google, Salesforce0 Comments

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