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salesforce manufacturing sales service experience case study
02Dec

Manufacturing Deep Dive into Salesforce Winter 25 Release

The Salesforce Winter ’25 release is packed with game-changing updates tailored to manufacturers. With features designed to optimize asset management, inventory, and sales agreements, Salesforce is redefining how manufacturers stay competitive in today’s fast-paced market. Let’s explore the key highlights. Connected Assets The enhanced Connected Assets functionality is a standout feature in this release. By leveraging advanced IoT integrations, manufacturers can monitor and manage equipment in real time, enabling predictive maintenance and reducing downtime. Picture this: foreseeing potential machine issues before they escalate. This proactive approach helps manufacturers schedule maintenance at optimal times, saving both time and money. Enhanced visibility into asset performance also empowers teams to make data-driven decisions, boosting operational efficiency. Asset Service Lifecycle Management The Asset Service Lifecycle Management updates streamline the entire lifecycle of an asset—from installation to decommissioning. For manufacturers, where equipment performance is pivotal, these updates are a game-changer. Key features include: These enhancements not only improve service delivery but also boost customer satisfaction by keeping production schedules on track. Inventory Search and Transfer Efficient inventory management is critical for manufacturers, and the Inventory Search and Transfer update addresses this need directly. By improving visibility and accessibility, manufacturers can operate with greater agility and responsiveness, ensuring smooth operations even under tight timelines. Sales Agreement Enhancements Sales agreements are a cornerstone of manufacturing transactions, and the Winter ’25 release introduces significant improvements to streamline this process. These enhancements reduce negotiation time, minimize risks of misunderstandings, and enable manufacturers to close deals faster—key advantages in a competitive market. Sales Agreement Summary To complement these updates, the new Sales Agreement Summary feature provides a concise overview of all active agreements, including key dates, terms, and stakeholders. This enhanced visibility fosters better collaboration among teams and helps businesses stay ahead of their goals. Why It Matters for Manufacturers Salesforce’s Winter ’25 release is more than just an update—it’s a tool kit for driving growth and operational excellence. From predictive asset management to streamlined inventory control and faster sales cycles, these innovations empower manufacturers to: Ready to Transform?Leverage these powerful tools to gain a competitive edge. At Tectonic, we specialize in guiding manufacturers through their Salesforce journey, helping you maximize the impact of these updates. Reach out to our team today to get started! 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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December 2, 2024in Data, Salesforce, Salesforce Implementation Services, Salesforce Manufacturing Automotive Energy
AI is Revolutionizing Salesforce
29Nov

AI is Revolutionizing Salesforce

AI is Revolutionizing Salesforce: Transforming Sales Teams in the Era of AI Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the sales landscape, disrupting traditional processes, and redefining how businesses interact with customers. The rapid adoption of AI-native systems is altering how data is captured, how sales teams engage, and how the entire sales cycle is structured. The shift toward AI-driven solutions is fueling unprecedented opportunities for sales organizations to achieve more by doing less manual work. Success in this transformation will favor those who use AI to make smarter, data-driven decisions, shifting the focus from activities to meaningful achievements. From Rolodex to Real-Time Insights: The Evolution of Sales The history of sales is one of continual evolution. From the bartering days of ancient commerce to the introduction of Rolodexes in the mid-20th century, and later to early CRM tools like Act! and Siebel Systems, the industry has always innovated to meet changing customer needs. Salesforce’s arrival in 1999 brought CRM to the cloud, empowering sales teams with unparalleled accessibility. Yet, all these systems had one thing in common—they relied on human input. Logging calls, updating lead statuses, and noting feedback all depended on sales reps’ diligence. That dependency is now being disrupted by AI, which captures and processes data autonomously. AI-Native Systems: Capturing Context Without Human Input AI-native systems represent a seismic shift. Unlike traditional CRMs, these systems capture data in real-time without relying on human intervention. From emails and Slack messages to Zoom calls and social media interactions, AI aggregates unstructured data into actionable insights. This creates a rich, context-driven record of customer behavior, reducing reliance on manual entry and unlocking deeper understanding. Automating the Mundane: Eliminating Data Entry AI is erasing the inefficiencies of manual processes. Sales development representatives (SDRs) once spent countless hours cold-calling, sending follow-ups, and updating records—a monotonous grind that yielded limited value. Today, AI automates these tasks, enabling SDRs to focus on high-impact activities like relationship-building and deal-closing. This automation, often referred to as intelligent pipeline management, identifies prospects, crafts personalized outreach, and schedules meetings—effortlessly managing the early stages of the sales funnel. AI as a Partner: Voice Agents and Real-Time Coaching AI is not just automating tasks; it’s enhancing human performance. AI-powered voice agents can now assist sales reps during live calls by offering real-time coaching. When a prospect raises an objection, the AI provides instant suggestions based on historical data, empowering salespeople to respond more effectively. This real-time guidance helps sales teams navigate complex conversations with confidence, boosting close rates and accelerating results. Personalization at Scale: Tailored Engagement Across Pipelines Personalization has long been a cornerstone of effective sales, but AI has made it scalable. AI tools analyze customer behaviors and preferences, allowing sales teams to tailor messages, proposals, and outreach at an individual level—even for thousands of prospects. From detecting website visits to auto-generating customized content, AI enables hyper-relevant interactions that build stronger connections with leads and customers. Breaking Down Silos: Unifying Sales, Marketing, and Customer Success AI is bridging organizational divides. Historically, sales, marketing, and customer success operated in silos, each pursuing independent goals. AI aligns these functions around a shared understanding of the customer, fostering collaboration and a unified go-to-market strategy. By consolidating data from every customer touchpoint into a single system of record, AI empowers teams to work together seamlessly, ensuring a consistent and coordinated customer experience. Systems of Record for the AI Age: The Importance of Context Unlike traditional CRMs that rely on structured fields, AI-powered systems excel at capturing unstructured data—conversations, social media mentions, and survey responses. These systems provide the context sales teams need to make better decisions. This rich contextual data benefits not just sales but also product development, marketing, and customer success teams, enabling them to refine strategies and create more responsive organizations. Redefining Metrics: From Activities to Achievements Traditional sales metrics often emphasized activity—calls made, emails sent, meetings booked. AI is shifting the focus to outcomes. By tracking the quality and impact of interactions, rather than the volume, sales leaders can better understand what drives success and optimize their strategies accordingly. The Future of Sales: Empowered by AI AI is not replacing salespeople; it’s empowering them. By automating repetitive tasks and delivering actionable insights, AI frees up teams to focus on building relationships, solving problems, and closing deals. To thrive in this new era, organizations must embrace AI as a core part of their strategy. The question for sales leaders is no longer whether to adopt AI but how quickly they can leverage it to gain a competitive edge. Embrace the future of sales—where intelligent systems drive outcomes, and human ingenuity takes center stage. AI is revolutionizing Salesforce by helping businesses improve customer relationships, streamline operations, and make better decisions: Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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November 29, 2024in AI Tools, Artificial Intelligence, Data, Google, Salesforce
Agentforce to the Team
27Nov

Salesforce has officially launched Agentforce

Agentforce goes beyond traditional chatbots and copilots, leveraging advanced reasoning to perform tasks like resolving customer issues, qualifying leads, and optimizing marketing campaigns—all without human intervention. Triggered by data changes, business rules, automations, or API signals, Agentforce executes actions independently. Companies like OpenTable, Saks, and Wiley are already harnessing Agentforce to enhance employee productivity, expand their workforce, and elevate customer experiences.

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November 27, 2024in Data, Enterprise, Mulesoft, Salesforce
26Nov

Salesforce Agents are Transforming Internal Workflows

How Salesforce Agents are Transforming Internal Workflows Salesforce CIO and Executive Vice President Juan Perez, with three decades of IT leadership experience, is leading the charge in deploying generative AI solutions like Agentforce within Salesforce. Perez’s approach reflects lessons learned during his tenure at UPS, where he oversaw IT operations for a global enterprise. His strategies emphasize scalability, data strategy, and modernization to support growth, with AI now playing a pivotal role. UPS Lessons Applied to Salesforce Perez draws on his UPS experience in managing IT at scale to navigate Salesforce’s needs as a growing enterprise. At UPS, he managed a complex, global IT organization supporting diverse operations, from running an airline to ensuring timely package delivery. Similarly, Salesforce’s IT strategy prioritizes scalable solutions, robust data strategies, and AI integration. “Salesforce intelligently realized the importance of leveraging its own technologies, including AI, to modernize and support growth,” Perez explains. Generative AI’s Transformative Potential Perez views generative AI (GenAI) as a transformative force on par with the internet’s emergence in the 1990s. By reducing the time spent on data analysis and decision-making, AI enables teams to focus on actions that improve productivity and customer service. While GenAI isn’t a solution in itself, Perez sees it as an enabler that amplifies human efforts. Evaluating and Integrating AI in Salesforce’s Stack Salesforce adopts a rigorous, multi-step approach to evaluate new technologies, including large language models (LLMs) and generative AI tools. Perez outlines a “filtering mechanism” for implementation: This structured approach ensures AI investments are both impactful and sustainable. Measuring AI’s ROI To quantify the impact of AI, Salesforce evaluates metrics like lines of code generated using AI tools and time saved through automation. In one example, approximately 26% of production-ready code in a recent deployment was AI-generated. This efficiency is factored into planning and budgeting, allowing resources to be reallocated to other initiatives. Mitigating “Shadow AI” Risks Perez warns against “shadow AI,” where decentralized or unmanaged AI implementations can lead to security, data privacy, and investment inefficiencies. He stresses the need for visibility and governance to prevent these risks. To address this, Salesforce has established an AI Council that is evolving into an Agentforce Center of Excellence. This body ensures responsible development, aligns projects with organizational goals, and maintains oversight of AI implementations across the enterprise. Responsible and Scalable AI Adoption Salesforce’s commitment to using its own products extends to Agentforce, a generative AI suite designed to streamline internal workflows. With a focus on governance, scalability, and measurable impact, Salesforce sets a benchmark for AI adoption. As Perez explains, “We ensure our AI solutions are safe, effective, and capable of driving significant value while remaining aligned with our strategic goals.” By combining rigorous evaluation, measurable outcomes, and proactive governance, Salesforce demonstrates how AI can transform workflows while mitigating risks. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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November 26, 2024in AI Tools, Data, Enterprise, Generative AI, Salesforce, Technology
Salesforce Strategies to Improve a Nonprofit
26Nov

Salesforce Strategies to Improve a Nonprofit

Transforming Nonprofit Operations with Salesforce: Lessons from a Real-Life Success Story Actionable insights for nonprofits to streamline operations and amplify impact-Salesforce Strategies to Improve a Nonprofit Running a nonprofit is challenging enough without the added frustration of disjointed systems. Many nonprofits grapple with scattered databases, isolated email tools, and incompatible fundraising platforms, resulting in inefficiencies and operational headaches. When systems operate in silos, teams waste time on manual data entry and backtracking, which hinders program delivery and donor engagement—putting the mission at risk. Enter Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud, a transformative platform designed to centralize operations, improve donor communication, and provide actionable insights. With 93% of Salesforce users reporting positive ROI, the platform empowers nonprofits to focus on what matters most: driving impact. Salesforce can revolutionize nonprofit operations. Case Study: Supporting Families Through Salesforce Client: Children’s Organization for displaced children in Ukraine Mission: To help children separated from their families during the war in Ukraine by providing bilingual, family-narrated audiobooks and beautifully illustrated storybooks. Challenge:While Better Time Stories had a meaningful mission, their operational processes were a roadblock. Their delivery system struggled with: The Approach 1. Goals Set Results With these optimizations, Better Time Stories significantly improved delivery success: Continuous system support ensured seamless operations and enhanced the organization’s ability to meet its mission. Key Strategies for Nonprofits Using Salesforce 1. Automate Donation and Impact Tracking 2. Personalize Donor Journeys 3. Create Custom Workflows 4. Integrate Salesforce with Other Tools 5. Enable Advanced Reporting 6. Build Volunteer and Beneficiary Portals 7. Leverage AI for Strategic Decisions 8. Design Scalable Data Architecture 9. Conduct Regular Health Checks Conclusion Nonprofits need solutions that simplify operations and maximize impact. Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud offers the tools to centralize processes, enhance donor engagement, and drive mission-critical outcomes. By following these strategies and working with an experienced implementation partner, your nonprofit can achieve operational excellence and focus on delivering meaningful results. Ready to transform your nonprofit operations with Salesforce? Let’s make it happen! 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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November 26, 2024in Data, Mulesoft, Salesforce, Salesforce Einstein, Salesforce Experience Cloud, Salesforce Flow, Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud
AI Energy Solution
24Nov

AI Energy Solution

Could the AI Energy Solution Make AI Unstoppable? The Rise of Brain-Based AI In 2002, Jason Padgett, a furniture salesman from Tacoma, Washington, experienced a life-altering transformation after a traumatic brain injury. Following a violent assault, Padgett began to perceive the world through intricate patterns of geometry and fractals, developing a profound, intuitive grasp of advanced mathematical concepts—despite no formal education in the subject. His extraordinary abilities, emerging from the brain’s adaptation to injury, revealed an essential truth: the human brain’s remarkable capacity for resilience and reorganization. This phenomenon underscores the brain’s reliance on inhibition, a critical mechanism that silences or separates neural processes to conserve energy, clarify signals, and enable complex cognition. Researcher Iain McGilchrist highlights that this ability to step back from immediate stimuli fosters reflection and thoughtful action. Yet this foundational trait—key to the brain’s efficiency and adaptability—is absent from today’s dominant AI models. Current AI systems, like Transformers powering tools such as ChatGPT, lack inhibition. These models rely on probabilistic predictions derived from massive datasets, resulting in inefficiencies and an inability to learn independently. However, the rise of brain-based AI seeks to emulate aspects of inhibition, creating systems that are not only more energy-efficient but also capable of learning from real-world, primary data without constant retraining. The AI Energy Problem Today’s AI landscape is dominated by Transformer models, known for their ability to process vast amounts of secondary data, such as scraped text, images, and videos. While these models have propelled significant advancements, their insatiable demand for computational power has exposed critical flaws. As energy costs rise and infrastructure investment balloons, the industry is beginning to reevaluate its reliance on Transformer models. This shift has sparked interest in brain-inspired AI, which promises sustainable solutions through decentralized, self-learning systems that mimic human cognitive efficiency. What Brain-Based AI Solves Brain-inspired models aim to address three fundamental challenges with current AI systems: The human brain’s ability to build cohesive perceptions from fragmented inputs—like stitching together a clear visual image from saccades and peripheral signals—serves as a blueprint for these models, demonstrating how advanced functionality can emerge from minimal energy expenditure. The Secret to Brain Efficiency: A Thousand Brains Jeff Hawkins, the creator of the Palm Pilot, has dedicated decades to understanding the brain’s neocortex and its potential for AI design. His Thousand Brains Theory of Intelligence posits that the neocortex operates through a universal algorithm, with approximately 150,000 cortical columns functioning as independent processors. These columns identify patterns, sequences, and spatial representations, collaborating to form a cohesive perception of the world. Hawkins’ brain-inspired approach challenges traditional AI paradigms by emphasizing predictive coding and distributed processing, reducing energy demands while enabling real-time learning. Unlike Transformers, which centralize control, brain-based AI uses localized decision-making, creating a more scalable and adaptive system. Is AI in a Bubble? Despite immense investment in AI, the market’s focus remains heavily skewed toward infrastructure rather than applications. NVIDIA’s data centers alone generate 5 billion in annualized revenue, while major AI applications collectively bring in just billion. This imbalance has led to concerns about an AI bubble, reminiscent of the early 2000s dot-com and telecom busts, where overinvestment in infrastructure outpaced actual demand. The sustainability of current AI investments hinges on the viability of new models like brain-based AI. If these systems gain widespread adoption within the next decade, today’s energy-intensive Transformer models may become obsolete, signaling a profound market correction. Controlling Brain-Based AI: A Philosophical Divide The rise of brain-based AI introduces not only technical challenges but also philosophical ones. Scholars like Joscha Bach argue for a reductionist approach, constructing intelligence through mathematical models that approximate complex phenomena. Others advocate for holistic designs, warning that purely rational systems may lack the broader perspective needed to navigate ethical and unpredictable scenarios. This philosophical debate mirrors the physical divide in the human brain: one hemisphere excels in reductionist analysis, while the other integrates holistic perspectives. As AI systems grow increasingly complex, the philosophical framework guiding their development will profoundly shape their behavior—and their impact on society. The future of AI lies in balancing efficiency, adaptability, and ethical design. Whether brain-based models succeed in replacing Transformers will depend not only on their technical advantages but also on our ability to guide their evolution responsibly. As AI inches closer to mimicking human intelligence, the stakes have never been higher. 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 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 Top Ten Reasons Why Tectonic Loves the Cloud The Cloud is Good for Everyone – Why Tectonic loves the cloud You don’t need to worry about tracking licenses. Read more

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November 24, 2024in Data, Laws
Deploy Metadata to Salesforce Orgs
23Nov

Deploy Metadata to Salesforce Orgs

How to Deploy Metadata to Salesforce Orgs: A Step-by-Step Guide Deploying metadata effectively is critical for building Salesforce orgs that align with your business goals. However, deployment processes often hit roadblocks due to missed dependencies, overwritten changes, or failed deployments at the end of development cycles. Deploy Metadata to Salesforce Orgs. As your team grows and business requirements become more complex, finding a deployment solution that works for everyone may feel overwhelming. While Salesforce’s clicks-not-code philosophy simplifies development, deployments can create bottlenecks if your process isn’t robust. Whether you’re working with custom objects, Flows, or Apex code, this guide will help you streamline your metadata deployments for the whole team. Understanding Salesforce Metadata Deployment Options Salesforce offers several methods for deploying metadata, most of which leverage the Metadata API. This API facilitates metadata transfers between Salesforce orgs or between orgs and version control systems like Git. Although most metadata types are supported by the API, a few exceptions exist. Fortunately, these unsupported types are rarely critical, ensuring the API remains a dependable foundation for most deployment needs. Change Sets: The Starting Point Salesforce’s change sets are often the default tool for new users. These provide a clicks-not-code approach and are easy to enable within the Salesforce UI. However, their limitations can hinder long-term scalability and DevOps maturity. Using Change Sets Limitations of Change Sets For teams seeking a scalable deployment solution, change sets often fall short. DevOps Center: Salesforce’s Modern Alternative Salesforce’s DevOps Center offers an improved approach to metadata deployments, especially for teams adopting collaborative and source-driven development workflows. Benefits of DevOps Center Limitations of DevOps Center While DevOps Center is a significant improvement over change sets, it may not fully meet the needs of growing teams striving for DevOps maturity. Salesforce CLI: A Developer-Focused Tool For teams with development expertise, Salesforce’s Command Line Interface (CLI) enables metadata deployments through scripting. As part of Salesforce DX, the CLI facilitates package-based development and automation. Key Advantages Challenges Gearset: A Complete Metadata Deployment Solution For teams seeking a streamlined, all-in-one deployment solution, Gearset provides the ideal balance of simplicity, collaboration, and DevOps maturity. Why Choose Gearset? How to Deploy Metadata with Gearset: Step-by-Step Deploy with Confidence Whether you’re working with simple change sets or advanced DevOps processes, the right tools can transform your Salesforce deployments. Gearset ensures seamless, reliable metadata transfers with a 99% deployment success rate—empowering teams to focus on innovation rather than troubleshooting. Ready to simplify your metadata deployments? Start your free trial of Gearset today and experience hassle-free releases! 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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November 23, 2024in Data
Energy and Utilities with Salesforce Winter 25 Updates
22Nov

Energy and Utilities with Salesforce Winter 25 Updates

If you’re ready to embrace these innovations, reach out to Tectonic for expert guidance on optimizing your Salesforce instance. Together, we can help your organization harness the full potential of these game-changing features.

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November 22, 2024in Data, Salesforce, Salesforce Development Services, Salesforce Einstein, Salesforce Manufacturing Automotive Energy, Salesforce Optimization, Salesforce Sales Cloud, Salesforce Service Cloud, Technology
AI Inference vs. Training
21Nov

AI Inference vs. Training

AI Inference vs. Training: Key Differences and Tradeoffs AI training and inference are the foundational phases of machine learning, each with distinct objectives and resource demands. Optimizing the balance between the two is crucial for managing costs, scaling models, and ensuring peak performance. Here’s a closer look at their roles, differences, and the tradeoffs involved. Understanding Training and Inference Key Differences Between Training and Inference 1. Compute Costs 2. Resource and Latency Considerations Strategic Tradeoffs Between Training and Inference Key Considerations for Balancing Training and Inference As AI technology evolves, hardware advancements may narrow the gap in resource requirements between training and inference. Nonetheless, the key to effective machine learning systems lies in strategically balancing the demands of both processes to meet specific goals and constraints. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more 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 Top Ten Reasons Why Tectonic Loves the Cloud The Cloud is Good for Everyone – Why Tectonic loves the cloud You don’t need to worry about tracking licenses. Read more

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November 21, 2024in AI Tools, Data, Generative AI, Technology
Generative AI Energy Consumption Rises
19Nov

AI for the Ho-Ho-Holidays

The Holiday Rush and AI’s Growing Role in Retail The holiday season is approaching quickly, with fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year than at any time since 2019. This condensed timeline makes Salesforce’s latest State of the Connected Customer report—this year titled State of the AI Connected Customer—particularly timely. The report, based on insights from over 15,000 consumers worldwide, focuses on the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI), specifically AI agents, in transforming customer experiences. With Salesforce’s recent launch of Agentforce, AI agents have taken center stage. According to Michael Affronti, SVP and General Manager of Commerce Cloud at Salesforce, the retail sector is already exploring this technology: “Retailers that we talk to are starting to implement AI agents. Unlike chatbots, AI agents can analyze customer data to make proactive recommendations and even take action. For consumers, AI agents create smoother checkout experiences, streamline returns, and deliver personalized shopping that feels like working with an incredible in-store associate. For retailers, AI agents drive higher margins and customer retention by delivering exceptional service. As we like to say, ‘There’s an agent for that.’” Rebuilding Trust with AI One of the most compelling use cases for AI agents, according to Affronti, lies in addressing declining consumer trust. Salesforce’s research highlights alarming trends: AI agents present an opportunity to rebuild trust by delivering reliable and transparent experiences. While consumer expectations for personalized service remain high, Salesforce data suggests that 30% of consumers would work with AI agents if it meant faster service. However, skepticism persists—curiosity is the top emotion associated with AI, followed closely by suspicion and anxiety. Transparency is crucial, as 40% of consumers are more likely to trust AI agents when their logic is explained, and there’s an option to escalate to a human. “Most people just want to know it’s AI, and then they’ll be comfortable,” Affronti notes. “Clarity about what the agent is doing, combined with the ability to talk to a real person, builds trust.” Three Opportunities for Retailers Affronti outlines three key strategies for retailers to embrace AI agents effectively this holiday season: Experimentation and Preparing for the Future For retailers not yet leveraging AI, Affronti advises starting small but experimenting now. For example, large brands like Saks are already piloting AI agents such as “Sophie,” which handles tasks like order management and learns new capabilities based on customer feedback. However, smaller businesses can also benefit from AI tools, such as generative AI for writing product descriptions or automating promotions, regardless of scale. “One of the great things about AI today is how democratized it has become,” Affronti explains. “Small businesses using Salesforce’s Commerce Cloud can leverage AI for tasks like creating product descriptions or automating translations, even if their catalog is limited.” Looking Ahead While this holiday season may not see a widespread rollout of AI-driven retail solutions, early adopters are already showcasing what’s possible. Retailers that embrace experimentation and lay the groundwork for AI-powered experiences today will likely see significant results by the 2025 holiday season. The key takeaway: now is the time to build the foundation for the future of AI in retail. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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November 19, 2024in AI Tools, Artificial Intelligence, Data, Generative AI, Technology
Salesforce Data Migration Tools
18Nov

Salesforce Data Migration Tools

In the current age of digital transformation, effective data migration is essential, especially as cloud adoption accelerates. Research from Foundry reveals that 63% of IT leaders have increased their cloud migrations, but 90% face challenges—primarily budgetary constraints. This highlights the importance of thoughtful planning and strategic execution. In this context, we’ll explore the significance of successful Salesforce data migration and present a nine-step roadmap to ensure a seamless transition. Additionally, we’ll cover solutions for data preparation and the top five Salesforce data migration tools that can help turn migration challenges into growth opportunities. Salesforce Data Migration ChecklistDownload our e-book to quickly and efficiently migrate data from Excel spreadsheets and CRM systems to Salesforce. Why is Data Migration Important?In 2010, I bought my first smartphone and struggled to transfer data from my outdated phone. My contacts were vital, but the old phone lacked proper data transfer options. Determined not to re-enter everything manually, I searched for a solution. Eventually, I found a method to extract data into a CSV file, which I converted to vCard format to transfer successfully. This experience reinforced how essential data migration is—not only for businesses but also for everyday situations. For organizations looking to modernize, data migration is a crucial step in upgrading IT infrastructure. It enables smooth transitions from legacy systems to modern platforms like Salesforce, enhancing efficiency, scalability, and data accessibility. Effective data migration improves data management, reduces costs tied to outdated systems, and supports better decision-making through improved analytics. It also ensures data integrity and security, aligning IT capabilities with evolving business needs, fostering innovation, and keeping a competitive edge. What is Data Migration in Salesforce?Whether you are already using Salesforce or considering adoption, one common question arises: “How do I migrate my data to Salesforce?” Salesforce data migration involves moving information from external systems like legacy CRMs or local databases into Salesforce. This process is critical not only for protecting data integrity but also for enabling better decision-making, improving customer service, and promoting organizational growth. A well-planned data migration strategy ensures a smooth transition to Salesforce, maximizing its potential and enhancing business efficiency. 9-Step Salesforce Data Migration PlanPreparing for a Salesforce data migration? Follow these nine essential steps for a seamless process: Need Help with Data Migration to Salesforce?We offer consulting services to guide you through the data migration process, from auditing data sources to executing the migration strategy. Tectonic is here to help. Top 5 Salesforce Data Migration ToolsHere’s a quick comparison of five Salesforce data migration tools to help you choose the right solution: For hassle-free data migration, reach out to Tectonic for a tailored plan that minimizes downtime and maximizes 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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November 18, 2024in Data, Salesforce
NetSuite Salesforce Collaboration
17Nov

NetSuite Salesforce Collaboration

NetSuite Bets on Strategic Growth and Embraces Collaboration with Salesforce Growing on All Fronts At SuiteWorld 2024, the theme, “All Systems Grow,” reflected a pivotal moment for NetSuite. While the event lacked groundbreaking announcements, it showcased a fulfillment of past promises and a notable strategic shift toward openness and collaboration. Oracle and NetSuite are now welcoming competitors as partners, signaling a move toward interoperability that could redefine their market positioning. With over 40,000 customers, NetSuite continues its strong growth in the ERP space, particularly among SMBs. The company’s Q3 sales surged 20% year-over-year, underlining its momentum in the mid-market. Beyond traditional ERP capabilities, NetSuite’s expanded suite of solutions positions it as more than just an ERP provider. Delivering on AI Innovations While there were no splashy acquisitions, NetSuite made significant strides by rolling out 170 new modules and features, many leveraging AI. These enhancements blend predictive AI and generative AI to increase accuracy and user productivity. These updates aim to elevate both the platform’s quality and the efficiency of its users. Redwood Design: A Transformative User Experience NetSuite is adopting Oracle’s Redwood design language, promising a more intuitive and user-friendly interface. While Redwood is not new, its phased rollout within NetSuite is a significant step forward. Notable Additions: SuiteProcurement and Salesforce Integration SuiteProcurement: NetSuite’s new procurement automation solution integrates directly with Amazon Business and Staples Business Advantage, automating ordering, invoicing, approvals, and deliveries. Plans are underway to expand vendor support, offering broader applicability in the future. Salesforce Partnership: NetSuite’s most significant announcement was its strategic partnership with Salesforce, enabling real-time data exchange between the platforms. Evan Goldberg, NetSuite’s founder and EVP, explained the rationale:“It’s up to the customer to decide what software they want to use.” The partnership reflects NetSuite’s commitment to addressing customer needs, with more SaaS integrations expected in the future. Expanding Field Service Management (FSM) NetSuite’s Field Service Management (FSM) capabilities, acquired last year, are now better integrated into its platform. While development progress has been slower than anticipated, significant enhancements are expected in the coming year, leveraging Oracle technology to extend FSM’s functionality across industries. And Field Service Management is available in Salesforce, as well. Positioned for Continued SMB Growth NetSuite’s investments are yielding results, as demonstrated by its rapid growth and deeper integration of Oracle technology. The NetSuite Analytics Data Warehouse and Enterprise Performance Management are driving adoption among existing users, showcasing the platform’s scalability. NetSuite’s ability to quickly integrate Oracle updates into its infrastructure gives it a competitive edge, ensuring customers benefit from the latest innovations without delays. With its robust feature set, AI-powered tools, and strategic partnerships like the one with Salesforce, NetSuite has strengthened its position as a go-to ERP platform for SMBs. Its consistent 20% year-over-year growth indicates a bright future, making it an increasingly attractive option for mid-market businesses. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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November 17, 2024in Data, Enterprise, Generative AI, Salesforce, Technology
AI Agent Rivalry
16Nov

AI Agent Rivalry

Microsoft and Salesforce’s AI Agent Rivalry Heats Up The battle for dominance in the AI agent space has escalated, with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff intensifying his criticism of Microsoft’s AI solutions. Following remarks at Dreamforce 2024, Benioff took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out Microsoft for what he called “rebranding Copilot as ‘agents’ in panic mode.” The AI Agent rivalry winner may be determined not by flashy features but by delivering tangible, transformative outcomes for businesses navigating the complexities of AI adoption. AI Agent Rivalry. Benioff didn’t hold back, labeling Microsoft’s Copilot as “a flop”, citing issues like data leaks, inaccuracies, and requiring customers to build their own large language models (LLMs). In contrast, he touted Salesforce’s Agentforce as a solution that autonomously drives sales, service, marketing, analytics, and commerce without the complications he attributes to Microsoft’s offerings. Microsoft’s Copilot: A New UI for AI Microsoft recently unveiled new autonomous agent capabilities for Copilot Studio and Dynamics 365, positioning these agents as tools to enhance productivity across teams and functions. CEO Satya Nadella described Copilot as “the UI for AI” and emphasized its flexibility, allowing businesses to create, manage, and integrate agents seamlessly. Despite the fanfare, Benioff dismissed Copilot’s updates, likening it to “Clippy 2.0” and claiming it fails to deliver accuracy or transformational impact. Salesforce Expands Agentforce with Strategic Partnerships At Dreamforce 2024, Salesforce unveiled its Agentforce Partner Network, a global ecosystem featuring collaborators like AWS, Google Cloud, IBM, and Workday. The move aims to bolster the capabilities of Agentforce, Salesforce’s AI-driven platform that delivers tailored, autonomous business solutions. Agentforce allows businesses to deploy customizable agents without complex coding. With features like the Agent Builder, users can craft workflows and instructions in natural language, making the platform accessible to both technical and non-technical teams. Flexibility and Customization: Salesforce vs. Microsoft Both Salesforce and Microsoft emphasize AI’s transformative potential, but their approaches differ: Generative AI vs. Predictive AI Salesforce has doubled down on generative AI, with Einstein GPT producing personalized content using CRM data while also providing predictive analytics to forecast customer behavior and sales outcomes. Microsoft, on the other hand, combines generative and predictive AI across its ecosystem. Copilot not only generates content but also performs autonomous decision-making in Dynamics 365 and Azure, positioning itself as a comprehensive enterprise solution. The Rise of Multi-Agent AI Systems The competition between Microsoft and Salesforce reflects a broader trend in AI-driven automation. Companies like OpenAI are experimenting with frameworks like Swarm, which simplifies the creation of interconnected AI agents for tasks such as lead generation and marketing campaign development. Similarly, startups like DevRev are introducing conversational AI builders to design custom agents, offering enterprises up to 95% task accuracy without the need for coding. What Lies Ahead in the AI Agent Landscape? As Salesforce and Microsoft push the boundaries of AI integration, businesses are evaluating these tools for their flexibility, customization, and impact on operations. While Salesforce leads in CRM-focused AI, Microsoft’s integrated approach appeals to enterprises seeking cross-functional AI solutions. In the end, the winner may be determined not by flashy features but by delivering tangible, transformative outcomes for businesses navigating the complexities of AI adoption. AI Agent Rivalry. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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November 16, 2024in Agentforce Platform, Data, Enterprise, Generative AI, Google, Salesforce
copilots and agentic ai
13Nov

Copilots and Agentic AI

Agentic AI vs. Copilots: Defining the Future of Generative AI Artificial Intelligence has rapidly evolved, progressing from simple automation to generative models, to copilots. But now, a new player—Agentic AI—has emerged, promising to redefine the AI landscape. Is Agentic AI the next logical step, or will it coexist alongside copilots, each serving distinct roles? Copilots and Agentic AI. Generative AI: Creativity with a Human Touch Since the launch of ChatGPT, generative AI has dominated tech priorities, offering businesses the ability to generate content—text, images, videos, and more—from pre-defined data. However, while revolutionary, generative AI still relies heavily on human input to guide its output, making it a powerful collaborator rather than an autonomous actor. Enter Agentic AI: Autonomy Redefined Agentic AI represents a leap forward, offering systems that possess autonomy and the ability to act independently to achieve pre-defined goals. Unlike generative AI copilots that respond to human prompts, Agentic AI makes decisions, plans actions, and learns from experience. Think of it as Siri or Alexa—enhanced with autonomy and learning capabilities. Gartner recently spotlighted Agentic AI as its top technology trend for 2025, predicting that by 2028, at least 15% of day-to-day work decisions will be made autonomously, up from virtually none today. Agentforce and the Third Wave of AI Salesforce’s “Agentforce,” unveiled at Dreamforce, is a prime example of Agentic AI’s potential. These autonomous agents are designed to augment employees by handling tasks across sales, service, marketing, and commerce. Salesforce CEO Mark Benioff described it as the “Third Wave of AI,” going beyond copilots to deliver intelligent agents deeply embedded into customer workflows. Salesforce aims to empower one billion AI agents by 2025, integrating Agentforce into every aspect of customer success. Benioff took a swipe at competitors’ bolt-on generative AI solutions, emphasizing that Agentforce is deeply embedded for maximum value. The Role of Copilots: Collaboration First While Agentic AI gains traction, copilots like Microsoft’s Copilot Studio and SAP’s Joule remain critical for businesses focused on intelligent augmentation. Copilots act as productivity boosters, working alongside humans to optimize processes, enhance creativity, and provide decision-making support. SAP’s Joule, for example, integrates seamlessly into existing systems to optimize operations while leaving strategic decision-making in human hands. This collaborative model aligns well with businesses prioritizing agility and human oversight. Agentic AI: Opportunities and Challenges Agentic AI’s autonomy offers significant potential for streamlining complex processes, reducing human intervention, and driving productivity. However, it also comes with risks. Eleanor Watson, AI ethics engineer at Singularity University, warns that Agentic AI systems require careful alignment of values and goals to avoid unintended consequences like dangerous shortcuts or boundary violations. In contrast, copilots retain human agency, making them particularly suited for creative and knowledge-based roles where human oversight remains essential. Copilots and Agentic AI The choice between Agentic AI and copilots hinges on an organization’s priorities and risk tolerance. For simpler, task-specific applications, copilots excel by providing assistance without removing human input. Agentic AI, on the other hand, shines in complex, multi-task scenarios where autonomy is key. Dom Couldwell, head of field engineering EMEA at DataStax, emphasizes the importance of understanding when to deploy each model. “Use a copilot for specific, focused tasks. Use Agentic AI for complex, goal-oriented processes involving multiple tasks. And leverage Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) in both to provide context to LLMs.” The Road Ahead: Coexistence or Dominance? As AI evolves, Agentic AI and copilots may coexist, serving complementary roles. Businesses seeking full automation and scalability may gravitate toward Agentic AI, while those prioritizing augmented intelligence and human collaboration will continue to rely on copilots. Ultimately, the future of AI will be defined not by one model overtaking the other, but by how well each aligns with the specific needs, goals, and challenges of the organizations adopting them. 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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November 13, 2024in Artificial Intelligence, Data, Generative AI, Salesforce, Technology

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