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agentforce digital workforce

How Agentforce Works

Salesforce Agentforce: Everything You Need to Know Salesforce Agentforce represents a paradigm shift from generative AI to agentic AI—a new class of AI capable of autonomous action. Since its launch at Dreamforce in September 2024, Agentforce has redefined the conversation around AI, customer service, and experience management. To meet skyrocketing demand, Salesforce announced plans to hire more than 1,000 employees shortly after the launch. What is Salesforce Agentforce? Agentforce is a next-generation platform layer within the Salesforce ecosystem. While its bots leverage generative AI capabilities, they differ significantly from platforms like ChatGPT or Google Gemini. Agentforce bots are designed not just to generate responses but to act autonomously within predefined organizational guardrails. Unlike traditional chatbots, which follow scripted patterns, Agentforce AI agents are trained on proprietary data, enabling flexible and contextually accurate responses. They also integrate with Salesforce’s Data Cloud, enhancing their capacity to access and utilize customer data effectively. Agentforce combines three core tools—Agent Builder, Model Builder, and Prompt Builder—allowing businesses to create customized bots using low-code tools. Key Features of Agentforce The platform offers ready-to-deploy AI agents tailored for various industries, including: Agentforce officially became available on October 25, 2024, with pricing starting at $2 per conversation, and volume discounts offered for enterprise customers. Salesforce also launched the Agentforce Partner Network, enabling third-party integrations and custom agent designs for expanded functionality. How Agentforce Works Salesforce designed Agentforce for users without deep technical expertise in AI. As CEO Marc Benioff said, “This is AI for the rest of us.” The platform is powered by the upgraded Atlas Reasoning Engine, a component of Salesforce Einstein AI, which mimics human reasoning and planning. Like self-driving cars, Agentforce interprets real-time data to adapt its actions and operates autonomously within its established parameters. Enhanced Atlas Reasoning Engine In December 2024, Salesforce enhanced the Atlas Reasoning Engine with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and advanced reasoning capabilities. These upgrades allow agents to: Seamless Integrations with Salesforce Tools Agentforce is deeply integrated with Salesforce’s ecosystem: Key Developments Agentforce Testing Center Launched in December 2024, the Testing Center allows businesses to test agents before deployment, ensuring they are accurate, fast, and aligned with organizational goals. Skill and Integration Library Salesforce introduced a pre-built library for CRM, Slack, Tableau, and MuleSoft integrations, simplifying agent customization. Examples include: Industry-Specific Expansion Agentforce for Retail Announced at the NRF conference in January 2025, this solution offers pre-built skills tailored to retail, such as: Additionally, Salesforce unveiled Retail Cloud with Modern POS, unifying online and offline inventory data. Notable Agentforce Customers Looking Ahead Marc Benioff calls Agentforce “the third wave of AI”, advancing beyond copilots into a new era of autonomous, low-hallucination intelligent agents. With its robust capabilities, Agentforce is positioned to transform how businesses interact with customers, automate workflows, and drive success. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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B2B Customer Service with Agentforce

B2B Customer Service with Agentforce

Simplify and Transform B2B Customer Service with Agentforce B2B customer service is inherently complex. It involves managing layered relationships, high-value transactions, and specialized support needs—all of which require heightened attention to detail. With fewer but larger customers, the stakes are high. In fact, our research shows that 88% of customers are more likely to remain loyal with exceptional service, underscoring the importance of consistently delivering excellence. Enter Agentforce, an AI-powered solution designed to tackle these challenges. By complementing your service reps, Agentforce handles intricate B2B cases autonomously and within your predefined parameters. This ensures reliable 24/7 support for even the toughest queries, reducing rep burnout and enhancing customer satisfaction. Here’s how Agentforce can redefine B2B customer service and take it to the next level: What You’ll Learn What Is B2B Customer Service? B2B customer service focuses on providing personalized support and expertise to other businesses, addressing their unique needs and challenges. This service model aims to build lasting relationships by boosting loyalty, driving repeat business, and encouraging referrals. What Are AI Agents? AI agents like Agentforce are advanced systems capable of understanding and responding to customer inquiries without human involvement. Unlike basic chatbots, Agentforce uses natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, and contextual understanding to provide intelligent, conversational, and personalized support. At the heart of Agentforce is the Atlas Reasoning Engine, which simplifies complex queries, retrieves precise information from your Data Cloud, and creates accurate, reliable action plans—all within your company’s guardrails. Agentforce’s multi-modal understanding allows it to interpret inputs like text, images, and audio, making it a versatile tool for engaging customers. Crucially, Agentforce continuously learns and adapts, ensuring it evolves with your customers’ needs for more accurate, efficient support. Why AI Agents Are Ideal for B2B Customer Service B2B support often involves managing: Agentforce rises to these challenges by providing scalable, round-the-clock support that accommodates time zone differences, personalizes interactions, and resolves intricate inquiries with ease. Top Benefits of AI Agents in B2B Customer Service Use Cases for Agentforce in B2B Customer Service Challenges of Implementing AI Agents—and How to Solve Them 5 Best Practices for Success Ready to Elevate Your B2B Customer Service? Agentforce empowers your business to deliver consistent, reliable, and scalable support—around the clock. By handling complex interactions and reducing workload on service reps, it builds stronger customer relationships and positions your company for long-term success. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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AI and Related Tools Boost Holiday Sales

AI and Related Tools Boost Holiday Sales

AI Drives Holiday Sales in 2024: A Record-Breaking Shopping Season with Rising Returns Artificial intelligence (AI) played a transformative role in shaping the 2024 holiday shopping season, with Salesforce reporting that AI-powered tools influenced $229 billion, or 19%, of global online sales. Based on data from 1.5 billion global shoppers and 1.6 trillion page views, AI tools such as product recommendations, targeted promotions, and customer service significantly boosted sales, marking a 6% year-over-year increase in engagement. Generative AI features, including conversational agents, saw a 25% surge in usage during the holiday period compared to earlier months, further highlighting their role in shaping consumer behavior. Mobile commerce amplified AI’s influence, with nearly 70% of global online sales being placed via smartphones. On Christmas Day alone, mobile orders accounted for 79% of transactions, showcasing the shift toward mobile-first shopping. “Retailers who have embraced AI and conversational agents are already reaping the benefits, but these tools will become even more critical in the new year as retailers aim to minimize revenue losses from returns and reengage with shoppers,” said Caila Schwartz, Salesforce’s Director of Consumer Insights. Record-Breaking Sales and Rising Returns Online sales hit .2 trillion globally and 2 billion in the U.S. during the holiday season, but returns surged to $122 billion globally—a 28% increase compared to 2023. Salesforce attributed this spike to evolving shopping habits like bracketing (buying multiple sizes to ensure fit) and try-on hauls (bulk purchasing for social media content), which have become increasingly common. The surge in returns presents a challenge to retailers, potentially eroding profit margins. To address this, many are turning to AI-powered solutions for streamlining returns processes. According to Salesforce, 75% of U.S. shoppers expressed interest in using AI agents for returns, with one-third showing strong enthusiasm for such tools. The Role of AI in Enhancing the Holiday Shopping Experience AI-powered chatbots saw a 42% year-over-year increase in usage during the holiday season, supporting customers with purchases, returns, and product inquiries. These conversational agents, combined with AI-driven loyalty programs and targeted promotions, were instrumental in engaging customers and increasing conversion rates. AI’s influence extended to social commerce, with platforms like TikTok Shop and Instagram driving 20% of global holiday sales. Personalized recommendations and advertisements, powered by AI algorithms, significantly boosted social media referral traffic, which grew by 8% year-over-year. Mobile Commerce and AI Synergy Mobile devices were the dominant force in holiday shopping, generating 2 billion in global online sales and 5 billion in the U.S. Orders placed via smartphones peaked on Christmas Day, with mobile accounting for 79% of all transactions. This mobile-first trend highlights the growing importance of integrating AI into mobile commerce to enhance the shopping experience. AI Integration Expands Across Retail Operations In the UK, retailers are increasingly leveraging AI to optimize operations and improve personalization. A study by IMRG and Scurri revealed that 57% of UK online retailers used generative AI for content creation in 2024, while 31% implemented AI-informed product search tools. By 2025, 75% of UK retailers plan to adopt AI for marketing efforts, and 42% aim to use AI-powered product information management systems to streamline processes. Tesco, for example, uses AI to analyze Clubcard data, enabling tailored product recommendations, healthier purchasing choices, and waste reduction. Meanwhile, Must Have Ideas, a homeware retailer, has launched an AI-driven TV shopping channel powered by proprietary software, Spark, which automates programming schedules based on real-time stock levels and market trends. Looking Ahead The 2024 holiday season underscored the transformative potential of AI in retail. While AI-powered tools drove record sales and engagement, the rise in returns presents a challenge that retailers must address to protect their bottom line. As AI continues to evolve, its role in shaping consumer behavior, streamlining operations, and enhancing customer experiences will become even more integral in the retail landscape. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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Rethinking Technology in Local Government

Rethinking Technology in Local Government

Rethinking Technology in Local Government: A Call to Action By Richard Young, Head of Local Government, Salesforce The latest survey from Salesforce and LGC underscores an urgent need for a technology transformation in local government. Legacy systems and fragmented infrastructure remain significant roadblocks to digital progress, with nearly half of respondents identifying them as barriers to adoption. Outdated, disconnected systems limit efficiency, frustrate staff and residents, and prevent seamless data sharing—ultimately hindering councils from delivering modern, responsive services. Breaking Down Silos: A Unified Approach To move beyond fragmented solutions, councils must embrace a connected digital ecosystem that integrates systems, data, and stakeholders. Salesforce enables this shift through: ✅ MuleSoft – Seamlessly integrates legacy and modern systems, allowing for real-time data sharing and eliminating silos.✅ Salesforce Customer 360 – Provides a single, unified view of residents, enabling personalized, consistent service delivery across all touchpoints. By adopting a resident-first approach, councils can streamline operations, enhance engagement, and deliver services more effectively. Overcoming Barriers to Digital Transformation While the benefits of modern technology are clear, our survey reveals significant challenges to implementation, including: Salesforce supports councils through these challenges by providing: 🎓 Comprehensive training programs – Equipping staff with the skills to confidently adopt new technology.🤝 Shared service models – Encouraging collaboration across councils to pool resources and scale best practices.🚀 The Government Innovators Network – A knowledge-sharing platform connecting public sector leaders and private technology partners to drive innovation. By focusing on incremental modernization and ROI-driven deployments, councils can maximize value while staying within budget constraints. Empowering Councils for the Future To truly future-proof local government, technology must be: ✔ User-friendly – Intuitive systems reduce friction, enabling both staff and residents to self-service with ease.✔ Scalable and secure – Protecting against cyber threats and evolving challenges.✔ Designed for impact – Fostering collaboration between public and private sectors to drive long-term innovation. Salesforce has already made a measurable impact: 🏛 A UK council integrated over 30 legacy systems, reducing administrative overhead by 40% and increasing resident satisfaction by 25%.🇦🇺 An Australian local authority centralized resident engagement, cutting service request response times by 50%. Across the globe, we are transforming council operations, governance, and resident experiences. A Connected Future Starts Now Now is the time for councils to rethink their approach to technology. By embracing scalable, integrated solutions, they can deliver better services, empower staff, and put residents at the heart of every decision. Together, we can reimagine local government—creating a more connected, efficient, and empowered future. Richard Young, Head of Local Government, Salesforce Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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Rule-Based vs. Machine Learning Deduplication Approaches

Rule-Based vs. Machine Learning Deduplication Approaches

Choosing the Right Tool for Salesforce Deduplication: Rule-Based vs. Machine Learning Approaches When you browse Salesforce AppExchange for a deduplication solution, you’re presented with two primary options: rule-based deduplication tools or machine learning-powered applications. Both have their strengths, but understanding their methods will help you make an informed decision. Below, we’ll explore these approaches and their pros and cons to guide your choice. Why Salesforce’s Built-in Deduplication Falls Short Salesforce, while a powerful CRM, doesn’t excel at large-scale deduplication. Its native tools are limited to basic, rule-based matching, which may struggle with complexities like typos, inconsistent formatting, or unstructured data. Additionally, Salesforce’s deduplication features lack the scalability required for organizations dealing with large datasets or multiple data sources (e.g., third-party integrations, legacy systems). Businesses often need supplemental tools to address overlapping records or inconsistencies effectively. How Rule-Based Deduplication Works Popular rule-based tools on AppExchange, such as Cloudingo, DemandTools, DataGroomr, and Duplicate Check, require users to create filters that define what constitutes a duplicate. For example: Ultimately, the user manually defines the rules, deciding how duplicates are identified and handled. Benefits of Rule-Based Deduplication Drawbacks of Rule-Based Deduplication How Machine Learning-Based Deduplication Works Machine learning (ML)-powered tools rely on algorithms to identify patterns and relationships in data, detecting duplicates that may not be apparent through rigid rules. Key Features of ML Deduplication Techniques Used Benefits of ML-Based Deduplication Drawbacks of ML-Based Deduplication When to Choose Rule-Based vs. Machine Learning Deduplication Choose Rule-Based Deduplication If: Choose Machine Learning-Based Deduplication If: Selecting the Right Deduplication Tool When evaluating tools on AppExchange, consider these factors: Tectonic’s Closing Thoughts Rule-based and machine learning-based deduplication each serve distinct purposes. The right choice depends on your data’s complexity, the resources available, and your organization’s goals. Whether you’re seeking a quick, transparent solution or a powerful, scalable tool, AppExchange offers options to meet your needs and help maintain a clean Salesforce data environment. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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Financial Services Sector

Fundingo Outshines Mortgage Automator

Why Fundingo Outshines Mortgage Automator: A Salesforce-Based Perspective Introduction In the dynamic world of loan servicing and mortgage management, businesses face increasing demands for flexibility, efficiency, and scalability. While Mortgage Automator is a well-known provider, many users encounter significant challenges, including inflexible loan structures and cumbersome reporting processes. Fundingo, a Salesforce-native solution, addresses these issues head-on with a modern, adaptable, and user-friendly approach to loan management. Pain Points of Mortgage Automator Despite its established presence, Mortgage Automator comes with notable limitations: Fundingo’s Competitive Edge Fundingo offers a suite of advantages designed for modern lending institutions, making it the superior choice: Head-to-Head Comparison Feature Fundingo Mortgage Automator Flexibility High – Supports diverse loan products Limited – Rigid loan structures Reporting Automated and user-friendly Complex and manual processes Integrations Seamless with Salesforce ecosystem Poor integration capabilities Scalability Cost-effective, built-in scalability Expensive add-ons hinder growth Security & Compliance SOC 1 certified Basic security measures Summary Fundingo emerges as the ideal solution for modern loan servicing and mortgage management. By addressing the common challenges associated with Mortgage Automator—rigid loan structures, manual processes, and costly add-ons—Fundingo provides a flexible, scalable, and secure alternative. Its Salesforce-native design, built-in CRM, mobile accessibility, exceptional uptime, and robust security measures make it the best competitor in the market, empowering financial institutions to deliver exceptional service while optimizing operational efficiency. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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AI evolves with tools like Agentforce and Atlas

Salesforce Atlas

Salesforce Atlas: The Brainpower Behind AI-Driven Transformation A New Era of AI for Enterprise AI is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, and agentic AI—AI that can think, plan, and act autonomously—is at the forefront of this revolution. Salesforce is leading the charge with Agentforce, a low-code platform that allows businesses to build, refine, and deploy autonomous AI agents across multiple business functions. At the core of this innovation is Salesforce Atlas, the reasoning engine that empowers Agentforce to tackle complex decision-making tasks just like a human. But Atlas goes further—it continuously learns, adapts, and evolves, setting a new standard for AI-driven enterprises. Let’s explore how Atlas works, its capabilities, and why it’s a game-changer for businesses. Salesforce Atlas: The Reasoning Engine Powering Agentforce Atlas is the intelligent decision-making engine that powers Agentforce’s AI agents. Rather than simply following predefined rules, Atlas evaluates data, refines its approach, and continuously learns from outcomes. When an AI agent encounters a decision point, Atlas asks: ➡️ Do I have enough data to ensure accuracy?✔ If yes, it proceeds with a decision.❌ If no, it seeks additional data or escalates the issue. This iterative learning process ensures that AI agents become more reliable, context-aware, and autonomous over time. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff teased the potential of Atlas, revealing that: 📊 “We are seeing 90-95% resolution on all service and sales issues with the new Atlas.” That’s a staggering success rate, demonstrating how AI-driven reasoning can transform enterprise efficiency and customer engagement. How Salesforce Atlas Works: The “Flywheel” Process Atlas operates using a structured flywheel process that enables self-improvement and adaptability. Here’s how it works: 1️⃣ Data Retrieval – Atlas pulls structured and unstructured data from the Salesforce Data Cloud.2️⃣ Evaluation – It analyzes the data, generates a plan of action, and assesses whether the plan will drive the desired outcome.3️⃣ Refinement – If the plan isn’t strong enough, Atlas loops back, refines its approach, and iterates until it’s confident in its decision. This cycle repeats continuously, ensuring AI agents deliver accurate, data-driven outcomes that align with business goals. Once a task is completed, Atlas learns from the results, refining its approach to become even smarter over time. The Core Capabilities of Salesforce Atlas Atlas stands out because of its advanced reasoning, adaptive learning, and built-in safeguards—all designed to deliver trustworthy, autonomous AI experiences. 1. Advanced Reasoning & Decision-Making Atlas doesn’t just execute tasks; it thinks critically, determining the best way to approach each challenge. Unlike traditional AI models that follow rigid scripts, Atlas: 🔍 Analyzes real-time data to determine the most effective course of action.📊 Refines its decisions dynamically based on live feedback.🌍 Adapts to changing circumstances to optimize outcomes. At Dreamforce 2024, Marc Benioff demonstrated Atlas’s power by showcasing how it could optimize theme park experiences in real time, analyzing: 🎢 Ride availability👥 Guest preferences🚶 Park flow patterns This real-time decision-making showcases the game-changing potential of agentic AI. 2. Advanced Data Retrieval Atlas leverages Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to pull highly relevant, verified data from multiple sources. This ensures: ✔ More accurate responses✔ Minimized AI hallucinations✔ Reliable, data-driven insights For example, Saks Fifth Avenue uses Atlas to personalize shopping recommendations for millions of customers—tailoring experiences with precision. 3. Built-in Guardrails for Security & Compliance Salesforce recognizes the importance of AI governance, and Atlas includes robust safeguards to ensure responsible AI usage. 🔐 Ethical AI protocols – Ensures compliance with evolving regulations.🚨 Escalation capabilities – AI knows when to seek human intervention for complex issues.🌍 Hyperforce security – Provides enterprise-grade privacy and security standards. These protections ensure Atlas operates securely, responsibly, and at scale across global enterprises. 4. Reinforcement Learning & Continuous Improvement Atlas doesn’t just process data—it learns from outcomes. 🔄 Refines decisions based on real-world results📈 Optimizes performance over time⚡ Becomes increasingly efficient and tailored to business needs Whether it’s increasing sales conversions, resolving service issues, or optimizing workflows, Atlas ensures AI agents grow smarter with every interaction. Why Salesforce Atlas is a Game-Changer Salesforce Atlas isn’t just another AI tool—it’s the brain behind Salesforce’s next-generation AI ecosystem. With Atlas, businesses can: ✅ Automate complex tasks with AI-driven decision-making.✅ Deliver hyper-personalized customer experiences with confidence.✅ Scale AI-powered workflows across sales, service, and operations.✅ Ensure compliance and trust with built-in governance measures.✅ Adapt AI capabilities to meet evolving business needs. Marc Benioff envisions Atlas as the core of a future where AI and humans collaborate to drive innovation and efficiency. By combining advanced reasoning, dynamic adaptability, and enterprise security, Atlas empowers organizations to work smarter, faster, and more effectively—unlocking the full potential of agentic AI. The future of AI-driven enterprise has arrived. With Salesforce Atlas, businesses can build AI agents that don’t just follow instructions—they think, learn, and evolve. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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copilots and agentic ai

Transforming Industries and Redefining Workflows

The Rise of Agentic AI: Transforming Industries and Redefining Workflows Artificial Intelligence (AI) is evolving faster than we anticipated. No longer limited to predicting outcomes or generating content, AI systems are now capable of handling complex tasks and making autonomous decisions. This new era—driven by Agentic AI—is set to redefine the workplace and transform industries. From Prediction to Autonomy: The Three Waves of AI To understand where we’re headed, it’s important to see how far AI has come. Arun Parameswaran, SVP & MD of Salesforce India, describes it as a fundamental shift: “What has changed with agents is their ability to handle complex reasoning… and, most importantly, to take action.” Unlike previous AI models that recommend or predict, Agentic AI executes tasks, reshaping customer experiences and operational workflows. Agentic AI in Action: Industry Applications At a recent Mint x Salesforce India deep-dive event on AI, industry leaders explored how Agentic AI is driving transformation across sectors. The panel featured: Here’s how Agentic AI is already making an impact: 1. Revolutionizing Customer Support Traditional chatbots have limited capabilities. Agentic AI, however, understands urgency and context. 2. Accelerating Business Decisions In finance and supply chain management, AI agents analyze vast amounts of data and execute decisions autonomously. 3. Transforming Travel & Aviation Airlines are leveraging AI to optimize booking systems, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency. 4. Automating Wealth Management AI agents in financial services monitor markets, adjust strategies, and offer personalized investment recommendations in real time. The Risks & Responsibilities of Agentic AI With great autonomy comes great responsibility. The potential of Agentic AI is vast—but so are the challenges: The Future of Work: AI as a Partner, Not a Replacement Despite concerns about job displacement, AI is more likely to reshape rather than replace roles. What Are AI Agents? AI agents go beyond traditional models like ChatGPT or Gemini. They are proactive, self-learning systems that: They fall into two categories: “AI agents don’t just wait for commands; they anticipate needs and act,” says Dr. Tomer Simon, Chief Scientist at Microsoft Research Israel. AI Agents in the Workplace: A Shift in Roles AI agents streamline processes, but they don’t eliminate the need for human oversight. Salesforce’s Agentforce is a prime example: “Companies need to integrate AI, not fear it. Those who fail to adopt AI tools risk drowning in tasks AI can handle,” warns Dr. Omri Allouche, Chief Scientist at Gong. The Road Ahead: AI-Driven Business Growth Agentic AI is not about replacing people—it’s about empowering them. As organizations re-evaluate workflows and embrace AI collaboration, the companies that act early will gain a competitive edge in efficiency and innovation. Final Thought The AI revolution is here, and Agentic AI is at its forefront. The key question isn’t whether AI will transform industries—it’s how organizations will adapt and thrive in this new era. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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Einstein Service Agent

It’s been a little over a year since the global surge in GenAI chatbots, sparked by the excitement around ChatGPT. Since then, numerous vendors, both large and mid-sized, have invested heavily in the technology, and many users have already adopted AI-powered chatbots. The competition is intensifying, with CRM giant Salesforce releasing its own GenAI chatbot software, Einstein Service Agent. Einstein Service Agent, built on the Einstein 1 Platform, is Salesforce’s first fully autonomous AI agent. It interacts with large language models (LLMs) by analyzing the context of customer messages to determine the next actions. Utilizing GenAI, the agent generates conversational responses grounded in a company’s trusted business data, including Salesforce CRM data. Salesforce claims that service organizations can now significantly reduce the number of tedious inquiries that hinder productivity, allowing human agents to focus on more complex tasks. For customers, this means getting answers faster without waiting for human agents. Additionally, the service promises 24/7 availability for customer communication in natural language, with an easy handoff to human agents for more complicated issues. Businesses are increasingly turning to AI-based chatbots because, unlike traditional chatbots, they don’t rely on specific programmed queries and can understand context and nuance. Alongside Salesforce, other tech leaders like AWS and Google Cloud have released their own chatbots, such as Amazon Lex and Vertex AI, continuously enhancing their software. Recently, AWS updated its chatbot with the QnAIntent capability in Amazon Lex, allowing integration with a knowledge base in Amazon Bedrock. Similarly, Google released Vertex AI Agent Builder earlier this year, enabling organizations to build AI agents with no code, which can function together with one main agent and subagents. The AI arms race is just beginning, with more vendors developing software to meet market demands. For users, this means that while AI takes over many manual and tedious tasks, the primary challenge will be choosing the right vendor that best suits the needs and resources of their business. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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AI Agents in Government

AI Agents in Government

AI Agents: A Key to Rebuilding Public Trust in Government Public trust in government services has been in decline for years, but new research from Salesforce suggests that AI agents could play a crucial role in reversing this trend. Citizens worldwide recognize the need for improved government interactions, with 40% reporting difficulties when seeking assistance and over a third unsure of the programs available to them. However, there is strong public support for AI-driven solutions—90% of global respondents indicated they would use an AI agent to engage with their government. AI Agents: A Game-Changer for Public Services The introduction of AI-powered agents presents a transformative opportunity for governments to enhance service delivery, improve response times, and build stronger constituent relationships. With budget constraints making it difficult to expand government workforces, AI agents can augment public servants, allowing them to operate more efficiently without increasing headcount. Imagine a trip to the AI Agent DMV! “It is clear from our research that AI solutions like Salesforce’s Agentforce can help governments streamline and scale services to better meet the needs of their constituents,” says Nasi Jazayeri, Executive Vice President and GM of Public Sector at Salesforce. “As global leaders convene in Davos, we have a tremendous opportunity for the public and private sectors to collaborate and explore how advancements in AI can improve how governments serve their citizens.” Key Findings from Salesforce’s Research Citizens Call for Improved Government Services Growing Public Interest in AI Agents Top Priorities for AI-Driven Government Services When considering AI adoption in public services, global respondents prioritize: The Future of AI in Government As AI technology continues to evolve, its important role in the public sector is becoming increasingly significant. By enhancing accessibility, streamlining processes, and providing real-time assistance, AI-powered agents can help bridge the trust gap between governments and their constituents. With strong public support, governments have a unique opportunity to leverage AI to build more responsive, efficient, and citizen-friendly services—ushering in a new era of digital governance. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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AI Agents and Digital Transformation

AI Agents Help Streamline Customer Service

AI Agents Help Fisher & Paykel Streamline Customer Service Through Expanded Salesforce Partnership Fisher & Paykel, the New Zealand-based luxury appliance manufacturer, is leveraging AI agents to automate customer service tasks, such as answering frequently asked questions and scheduling service appointments. This initiative is designed to free up employee time for more value-added tasks, enhancing the overall customer service experience. In collaboration with Salesforce, Fisher & Paykel is using autonomous agents that integrate seamlessly with its CRM system, providing agents with greater visibility into customers’ interaction histories. This enables more efficient, data-driven interactions and allows the company to proactively resolve issues, such as freezer temperature irregularities, by automatically notifying customers and helping them schedule necessary appointments. For instance, AI agents can diagnose appliance issues, alert the service team, and assist customers in scheduling repair appointments. These agents also support on-site technicians by providing critical information, such as appointment locations and appliance age, while offering helpful articles and generating post-service summaries. Additionally, the integration of AI agents will enhance collaboration with Fisher & Paykel’s retail, builder, and designer partners. These partners will benefit from more efficient access to inventory information, accurate quotes for multiple products, and streamlined order placement and tracking. Enhancing Automation-Ready Environments This initiative builds on existing capabilities from the partnership, combining AI, data, and CRM functions such as subscription management and consolidated customer engagement data. The results have been impressive: Fisher & Paykel saw a 206% increase in unique email opens and a 112% rise in unique clicks in 2023. They also reduced manual effort by 30 minutes per order and saved up to 3,300 hours through automation in the B2B side of their business, according to Salesforce. In addition to service automation, Fisher & Paykel is tapping into AI-driven automated journeys based on consumer buying signals and cloud-based customer service support that automates appointment confirmations. Rudi Khoury, Chief Digital Officer at Fisher & Paykel, emphasized that customer expectations for efficiency and personalized service align perfectly with the brand’s luxury offerings, highlighting the importance of AI in meeting these demands. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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AI Agents and Work

Maximizing Generative AI in Learning and Development

Maximizing Generative AI in Learning and DevelopmentHow organisations can harness the power of generative AI to enhance learning and development with strategic integration, best practices, and a culture of continuous growth CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article originally published on Vistage Organisations are increasingly recognising the value of generative AI in learning and development. While your employees may already be using it, they may not yet be maximising its potential due to limited resources or understanding. This article offers strategies for organisations to more effectively leverage generative AI and amplify its impact on their teams. A global survey of 14,000 workers by Salesforce in late 2023 revealed that 28% were already using generative AI at work, with over half doing so without formal approval. Similarly, a 2023 McKinsey report echoed these findings, and these numbers are likely even higher now. A recent study by Harvard Business School and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) highlighted the transformative impact of AI, showing that consultants using generative AI completed tasks 22% faster and produced 40% higher quality work compared to those not using it. Unlocking AI Insights Begin by conducting an internal survey to better understand how your employees are using generative AI. Gather data on the tools they use, how often they use them, and how these tools enhance their work. Frame the survey as an opportunity to learn about their experiences rather than as an evaluation or compliance check. Once you’ve analysed the results, identify employees who are using generative AI in creative and effective ways. These individuals—often informal leaders—can provide valuable insights into the practical applications of AI, as well as the challenges they face and how they overcome them. Fostering a Learning Culture Incorporating generative AI into your organisation’s learning and development strategy helps employees tap into the knowledge of early adopters while aligning AI use with broader organisational goals. Cultivate a culture that prioritises continuous learning and upskilling to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Regularly update training materials to reflect new advancements in AI. Provide opportunities for employees to attend conferences, webinars, and other educational events to stay current. Encourage peer learning by fostering a culture where employees are motivated to share their experiences, tips, and best practices with one another. Developing Best Practices Leverage the expertise of your AI pioneers to establish best practices that are tailored to your organisation’s needs. Create a collaborative environment where these early adopters can share their experiences and insights, and involve them in the development of formal training programs. This ensures that the content is both relevant and practical for your workforce. Pilot these best practices with a small, controlled group of employees before rolling them out more broadly. This allows you to gather feedback, refine the practices, and address any issues. Additionally, create comprehensive guides, FAQs, and video tutorials to give employees easy access to the information they need. Tracking the progress and outcomes of your AI-related learning initiatives is essential. Use data to customise learning experiences and promote a growth mindset among employees. By integrating generative AI into your learning and development strategy, you can tap into internal expertise to drive innovation and improve efficiency across the organisation. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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salesforce agentforce ai powered agentic agents

Agentforce 2.0

Salesforce, the leading CRM provider, is set to launch Agentforce 2.0 in February 2025—an AI-powered toolset designed as a “digital labor platform for building a limitless workforce for the enterprise.” Agentforce 2.0 is a comprehensive AI system that enhances teams with autonomous AI agents embedded in everyday workflows. Among its key offerings are AI-driven agents for Sales Development and Sales Coaching, with pricing starting at $2 per conversation. With this release, Salesforce introduces a library of pre-built skills and workflow integrations, enabling rapid customization and seamless deployment within Slack. Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce, stated, “We’re seamlessly bringing together AI, data, apps, and automation with humans to reshape how work gets done. Agentforce 2.0 cements our position as the leader in digital labor solutions, allowing any company to build a limitless workforce that can truly transform their business.” Agentforce 2.0 includes pre-built AI skills across CRM, Slack, Tableau, and partner-developed integrations via the AppExchange. Customers can further extend Agentforce’s capabilities using MuleSoft, enabling low-code workflows that integrate with any system. The release also introduces an enhanced Agent Builder, which interprets natural language instructions—such as “Onboard New Product Managers”—to automatically generate new AI agents. These agents combine pre-made skills with custom logic built directly in Salesforce, offering unmatched flexibility and efficiency. Additionally, Agentforce 2.0 features Tableau Skills for advanced analytics and insights, further empowering businesses to harness AI-driven decision-making. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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