Startup Archives - gettectonic.com

04Sep

Salesforce to Acquire PredictSpring

Salesforce to Acquire PredictSpring, Enhancing Omnichannel Capabilities Last month, Salesforce finalized an agreement to acquire PredictSpring, a leading provider of point-of-sale (POS) software. PredictSpring, known for its omnichannel commerce solutions, offers a suite of mobile POS systems along with clienteling, inventory management, and order management tools tailored for the retail sector. Insights from Industry Analysts In a recent episode of CX Today’s BIG News Update, key analysts shared their perspectives on the acquisition, highlighting three major points. Filling a Critical Gap Rebecca Wetteman, CEO & Principal Analyst at Valoir, noted that while Salesforce has effectively assisted many B2B clients, such as Fiserv and Peloton, in transitioning to B2C strategies, one crucial component was missing: order management. PredictSpring’s solutions address this gap, enhancing Salesforce’s data strategy and providing a more comprehensive customer view. Wetteman stated, “This addition is a significant move for Salesforce, strengthening their position beyond B2B and bridging the B2B to B2C divide.” Advancing Omnichannel Retail Simon Harrison, Founder & CEO at Actionary, emphasized that the acquisition represents a major step forward in delivering effective omnichannel solutions. PredictSpring’s technology promises to solve challenges associated with integrating in-store and digital experiences, enhancing overall customer interactions. Harrison praised the investment, stating, “This is a smart move, addressing real-world issues and increasing value for both staff and customers in today’s dynamic retail environment.” Expanding Market Reach Martin Schnieder, VP and Principal Analyst at Constellation Research, pointed out that acquiring PredictSpring aligns with Salesforce’s strategy to expand its total addressable market (TAM). He highlighted retail as a sector with unique challenges and opportunities, where Salesforce’s Data Cloud and platform can create impactful vertical-specific solutions. Schnieder noted, “Retail offers a different model with constrained margins, and Salesforce can leverage its platform to provide substantial value.” Michael Fauscette, Founder, CEO, and Chief Analyst at Arion Research, observed that Salesforce is strategically acquiring startups to fill gaps in its vertical offerings. He remarked, “Salesforce’s approach involves identifying startups that address specific needs and integrating them into their ecosystem. This strategy has proven effective and allows Salesforce to go to market directly with these partners, a practice not always seen among enterprise vendors.” Conclusion Salesforce’s acquisition of PredictSpring is a strategic move to enhance its omnichannel capabilities and address key gaps in its offerings. By integrating PredictSpring’s advanced POS solutions, Salesforce aims to strengthen its position in the retail sector and continue its growth trajectory in both B2B and B2C markets. 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

September 4, 2024in Salesforce

27Aug

Uplimit AI-Powered ELP

Uplimit Secures $11M in Series A Funding to Enhance AI-Powered Enterprise Learning SAN FRANCISCO, July 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Uplimit, a leading provider of AI-powered enterprise learning solutions, has announced the successful completion of an $11M Series A funding round. This funding, led by Salesforce Ventures with participation from existing investors GSV Ventures, Greylock Partners, and Cowboy Ventures, as well as new investors Translink Capital, Workday Ventures, and Conviction, underscores the growing importance of effective employee upskilling in response to the rapid advancements in Generative AI technology. Uplimit AI-Powered ELP. “Helping employees stay ahead of technological advancements is now a critical priority for the organizations we serve,” said Claudine Emeott, Partner at Salesforce Ventures and Head of the Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund. “AI has the potential to equip both companies and individuals with the necessary skills to thrive, and Uplimit is at the forefront of integrating AI into education and training. We are excited to support their continued growth and look forward to seeing the significant impact they will have in the coming years.” “AI has the potential to equip both companies and individuals with the necessary skills to thrive, and Uplimit is at the forefront of integrating AI into education and training. We are excited to support their continued growth and look forward to seeing the significant impact they will have in the coming years.” Claudine Emeott, Partner at Salesforce Ventures and Head of the Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund Uplimit AI-Powered ELP With this new funding, Uplimit plans to expand its enterprise platform offerings, aiming to provide comprehensive upskilling solutions to more organizations and employees. Traditional education systems often require extensive resources for content creation, personalized feedback, and support, which can hinder scalability. While some scalable solutions exist, they often compromise on quality and outcomes. Uplimit is addressing this challenge with an innovative approach that combines scale and effectiveness. Their AI-driven platform enhances cohort management, learner support, and course authoring, enabling companies to deliver personalized learning experiences at scale. Uplimit’s recent introduction of AI-enabled role-play scenarios provides learners with immediate feedback, revolutionizing training and development for roles such as managers, support teams, and sales professionals. “Quality education has historically been a scarce resource, but AI is changing that,” said Julia Stiglitz, CEO and Co-founder of Uplimit. “AI allows us to create and update educational content rapidly, ensuring that learners receive personalized experiences even in large-scale courses. This is crucial as the demand for new skills, driven by the rapid evolution of AI technologies, continues to grow. Uplimit provides the tools needed for employees to quickly grasp new skills, tailored to their current knowledge and needs.” Uplimit has collaborated with a diverse range of companies, from Fortune 500 giants like GE Healthcare and Kraft Heinz to innovative startups such as Procore. Databricks, a leader in AI-powered data intelligence, was an early adopter of Uplimit’s platform for customer education. “We needed a learning platform that could scale to hundreds of thousands of learners while maintaining high levels of engagement and completion,” said Rochana Golani, VP of Learning and Enablement at Databricks. “Uplimit’s platform offers the perfect blend of real-time human instruction and personalized AI support, along with valuable peer interaction. This approach is set to be transformative for many of our customers.” The new funding will enable Uplimit to further enhance its enterprise and customer education offerings, expanding its AI capabilities to include advanced cohort management tools, rapid course feedback integration, interactive practice and assessment modules, and AI-powered course authoring. Join us on August 14th for our launch event, where we will explore how this funding will accelerate our mission and demonstrate the impact our platform is having on enterprise learning. About Uplimit Uplimit is a comprehensive AI-driven learning platform designed to equip companies with the tools needed to train employees and customers in emerging skills. The platform leverages AI to scale learning programs effectively, offering features such as AI-powered learner support, generative AI for content creation, and live cohort management tools. This approach ensures high engagement and completion rates, significantly surpassing traditional online courses. Uplimit also offers a marketplace of advanced courses in AI, technology, and leadership, taught by industry experts. Founded by Julia Stiglitz, Sourabh Bajaj, and Jake Samuelson, Uplimit is backed by Salesforce Ventures, Greylock Partners, Cowboy Ventures, GSV Ventures, Conviction, Workday Ventures, and Translink Capital, with contributions from the co-founders of OpenAI and DeepMind. Notable customers include GE Healthcare, Kraft Heinz, and Databricks. Uplimit has been featured in leading industry publications such as ATD, Josh Bersin, and Fast Company. 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

August 27, 2024in Generative AI

19Aug

Generative AI Overview

Editor’s Note: AI Cloud, Einstein GPT, and other cloud GPT products are now Einstein. For the latest on Salesforce Einstein The Rise of Generative AI: What It Means for Business and CRM Generative artificial intelligence (AI) made headlines in late 2022, sparking widespread curiosity and questions about its potential impact on various industries. What is Generative AI? Generative AI is a technology that creates new content—such as poetry, emails, images, or music—based on a set of input data. Unlike traditional AI, which focuses on classifying or predicting, generative AI can produce novel content with a human-like understanding of language, as noted by Salesforce Chief Scientist Silvio Savarese. However, successful generative AI depends on the quality of the input data. “AI is only as good as the data you give it, and you must ensure that datasets are representative,” emphasizes Paula Goldman, Salesforce’s Chief Ethical and Humane Use Officer. How Does Generative AI Work? Generative AI can be developed using several deep learning approaches, including: Other methods include Variational Autoencoders (VAEs) and Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs), which generate new data or create 2D and 3D images based on sample data. Generative AI and Business Generative AI has captured the attention of global business leaders. A recent Salesforce survey found that 67% of IT leaders are focusing on generative AI in the next 18 months, with 33% considering it a top priority. Salesforce has long been exploring generative AI applications. For instance, CodeGen helps transform simple English prompts into executable code, and LAVIS makes language-vision AI accessible to researchers. More recently, Salesforce’s ProGen project demonstrated the creation of novel proteins using AI, potentially advancing medicine and treatment development. Ketan Karkhanis, Salesforce’s Executive VP and GM of Sales Cloud, highlights that generative AI benefits not just large enterprises but also small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) by automating proposals, customer communications, and predictive sales modeling. Challenges and Ethical Considerations Despite its potential, generative AI poses risks, as noted by Paula Goldman and Kathy Baxter of Salesforce’s Ethical AI practice. They stress the importance of responsible innovation to ensure that generative AI is used safely and ethically. Accuracy in AI recommendations is crucial, and the authoritative tone of models like ChatGPT can sometimes lead to misleading results. Salesforce is committed to building trusted AI with embedded guardrails to prevent misuse. As generative AI evolves, it’s vital to balance its capabilities with ethical considerations, including its environmental impact. Generative AI can increase IT energy use, which 71% of IT leaders acknowledge. Generative AI at Salesforce Salesforce has integrated AI into its platform for years, with Einstein AI providing billions of daily predictions to enhance sales, service, and customer understanding. The recent launch of Einstein GPT, the world’s first generative AI for CRM, aims to transform how businesses interact with customers by automating content creation across various functions. Salesforce Ventures is also expanding its Generative AI Fund to $500 million, supporting AI startups and fostering responsible AI development. This expansion includes investments in companies like Anthropic and Cohere. As Salesforce continues to lead in AI innovation, the focus remains on creating technology that is inclusive, responsible, and sustainable, paving the way for the future of CRM and business. The Future of Business: AI-Powered Leadership and Decision-Making Tomorrow’s business landscape will be transformed by specialized, autonomous AI agents that will significantly change how companies are run. Future leaders will depend on these AI agents to support and enhance their teams, with AI chiefs of staff overseeing these agents and harnessing their capabilities. New AI-powered tools will bring businesses closer to their customers and enable faster, more informed decision-making. This shift is not just a trend—it’s backed by significant evidence. The Slack Workforce Index reveals a sevenfold increase in leaders seeking to integrate AI tools since September 2023. Additionally, Salesforce research shows that nearly 80% of global workers are open to an AI-driven future. While the pace of these changes may vary, it is clear that the future of work will look vastly different from today. According to the Slack Workforce Index, the number of leaders looking to integrate AI tools into their business has skyrocketed 7x since September 2023. Mick Costigan, VP, Salesforce Futures In the [still] early phases of a major technology shift, we tend to over-focus on the application of technology innovations to existing workflows. Such advances are important, but closing the imagination gap about the possible new shapes of work requires us to consider more than just technology. It requires us to think about people, both as the customers who react to new offerings and as the employees who are responsible for delivering them. Some will eagerly adopt new technology. Others will resist and drag their feet. 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

August 19, 2024in AI Tools, Artificial Intelligence, Data, Enterprise, Generative AI, Salesforce, Salesforce Einstein, Technology

11Aug

APIs and Software Development

The Role of APIs in Modern Software Development APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are central to modern software development, enabling teams to integrate external features into their products, including advanced third-party AI systems. For instance, you can use an API to allow users to generate 3D models from prompts on MatchboxXR. The Rise of AI-Powered Applications Many startups focus exclusively on AI, but often they are essentially wrappers around existing technologies like ChatGPT. These applications provide specialized user interfaces for interacting with OpenAI’s GPT models rather than developing new AI from scratch. Some branding might make it seem like they’re creating groundbreaking technology, when in reality, they’re leveraging pre-built AI solutions. Solopreneur-Driven Wrappers Large Language Models (LLMs) enable individuals and small teams to create lightweight apps and websites with AI features quickly. A quick search on Reddit reveals numerous small-scale startups offering: Such features can often be built using ChatGPT or Gemini within minutes for free. Well-Funded Ventures Larger operations invest heavily in polished platforms but may allocate significant budgets to marketing and design. This raises questions about whether these ventures are also just sophisticated wrappers. Examples include: While these products offer interesting functionalities, they often rely on APIs to interact with LLMs, which brings its own set of challenges. The Impact of AI-First, API-Second Approaches Design Considerations Looking Ahead Developer Experience: As AI technologies like LLMs become mainstream, focusing on developer experience (DevEx) will be crucial. Good DevEx involves well-structured schemas, flexible functions, up-to-date documentation, and ample testing data. Future Trends: The future of AI will likely involve more integrations. Imagine: AI is powerful, but the real innovation lies in integrating hardware, data, and interactions effectively. 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

August 11, 2024in Salesforce

28Jul

Impact of Generative AI on Workforce

The Impact of Generative AI on the Future of Work Automation has long been a source of concern and hope for the future of work. Now, generative AI is the latest technology fueling both fear and optimism. AI’s Role in Job Augmentation and Replacement While AI is expected to enhance many jobs, there’s a growing argument that job augmentation for some might lead to job replacement for others. For instance, if AI makes a worker’s tasks ten times easier, the roles created to support that job could become redundant. A June 2023 McKinsey report highlighted that generative AI (GenAI) could automate 60% to 70% of employee workloads. In fact, AI has already begun replacing jobs, contributing to nearly 4,000 job cuts in May 2023 alone, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, estimates that 80% of the U.S. workforce could see at least 10% of their jobs impacted by large language models (LLMs). Examples of AI Job Replacement One notable example involves a writer at a tech startup who was let go without explanation, only to later discover references to her as “Olivia/ChatGPT” in internal communications. Managers had discussed how ChatGPT was a cheaper alternative to employing a writer. This scenario, while not officially confirmed, strongly suggested that AI had replaced her role. The Writers Guild of America also went on strike, seeking not only higher wages and more residuals from streaming platforms but also more regulation of AI. Research from the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise indicates that GenAI might disproportionately affect women, with 79% of working women holding positions susceptible to automation compared to 58% of working men. Unlike past automation that typically targeted repetitive tasks, GenAI is different—it automates creative work such as writing, coding, and even music production. For example, Paul McCartney used AI to partially generate his late bandmate John Lennon’s voice to create a posthumous Beatles song. In this case, AI enhanced creativity, but the broader implications could be more complex. Other Impacts of AI on Jobs AI’s impact on jobs goes beyond replacement. Human-machine collaboration presents a more positive angle, where AI helps improve the work experience by automating repetitive tasks. This could lead to a rise in AI-related jobs and a growing demand for AI skills. AI systems require significant human feedback, particularly in training processes like reinforcement learning, where models are fine-tuned based on human input. A May 2023 paper also warned about the risk of “model collapse,” where LLMs deteriorate without continuous human data. However, there’s also the risk that AI collaboration could hinder productivity. For example, generative AI might produce an overabundance of low-quality content, forcing editors to spend more time refining it, which could deprioritize more original work. Jobs Most Affected by AI AI Legislation and Regulation Despite the rapid advancement of AI, comprehensive federal regulation in the U.S. remains elusive. However, several states have introduced or passed AI-focused laws, and New York City has enacted regulations for AI in recruitment. On the global stage, the European Union has introduced the AI Act, setting a common legal framework for AI. Meanwhile, U.S. leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have begun outlining plans for AI regulation, emphasizing the need to protect workers, national security, and intellectual property. In October 2023, President Joe Biden signed an executive order on AI, aiming to protect consumer privacy, support workers, and advance equity and civil rights in the justice system. AI regulation is becoming increasingly urgent, and it’s a question of when, not if, comprehensive laws will be enacted. As AI continues to evolve, its impact on the workforce will be profound and multifaceted, requiring careful consideration and regulation to ensure it benefits society as a whole. 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

July 28, 2024in Generative AI

13Jul

Required Startup Mentality

Pivoting an established company’s business model is one of the most daunting challenges a CEO can face. When the new CEO of Zilliant took the company’s helm in 2022, the mandate was to accelerate growth and increase market share. It quickly became evident that success lay not in product updates or tech investments but in rethinking the organizational mindset. Required Startup Mentality. With a master’s degree in organizational behavior studies from the University of Illinois and extensive experience in organizational transformations, the CEO understood the process typically follows one of two paths: changing an existing culture or building one from scratch. High-profile examples provide inspiration for both approaches. Satya Nadella, upon becoming CEO of Microsoft in 2014, transformed the company from a “know-it-all” to a “learn-it-all” culture, fostering a growth mindset. Conversely, Marc Benioff of Salesforce instilled the “ohana” culture of family spirit, trust, and equality from the company’s inception. The CEO, having been immersed in Salesforce culture for over a decade, learned the importance of a robust support system for employees and customers. Upon joining Zilliant, the CEO brought lessons from Salesforce to the new role. Zilliant, a company with 23 years of history and a long-standing CEO, Greg Peters, had thrived in price optimization. However, to evolve further, the company needed to adopt a startup mentality. This approach included scrutinizing every budget line item, incorporating a new marketing playbook, and, crucially, leveraging existing talent in new ways. Identifying influencers within the company and placing them in positions of broader influence proved to be an effective strategy. Required Startup Mentality of leaders. This group of long-time employees, respected and experienced, became the “change champions.” Their elevated profile across the organization facilitated listening and acting on peer feedback, making the traditionally challenging task of cultural transformation more manageable. Initially, there was a struggle to clearly articulate the future vision. The transitional period was marked by confusion rather than resistance. This experience underscored the importance of vision and constant communication during transformation. The CEO discovered that merely communicating new company values wasn’t sufficient. Creating a unified vision with full conviction from the executive team was essential. Significant time was spent defining this vision in granular detail, learning from the successes and failures of other companies. Once the leadership team was aligned, this conviction was cascaded through the ranks. Instead of dictating change, employees were invited into the process through feedback sessions and pilot programs, giving them a stake in redefining cultural norms. Celebrating small wins, even if they’re a “loss,” was emphasized to support learning from missteps. Modeling desired behaviors, systematically updating policies, incentives, and processes reinforced the new mindsets and actions. It was an arduous journey, but staying intentional and bringing people along was crucial for evolving into the envisioned culture. Through the transformation, one principle remained constant: customers must see Zilliant as a partner rather than a vendor. This required individuals in every department—marketing, sales, customer success, product, and engineering—to proactively address and solve customer problems. Transitioning to a new business model and rethinking organizational mindset is a long-term effort requiring vision and commitment from all levels. The payoff, however, can be immense. Already, Zilliant has delivered two consecutive quarters of 60%-plus growth in year-over-year bookings and is positioned for continued record growth through the end of the year. 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

July 13, 2024in Mulesoft, Salesforce

03Jul

AI Agents in Line at HR

AI Agents in Line at HR may only be a satirical cartoon for a very short time. Sorry, Farside, but your AI bits may not be able to keep up with AI. July, 2034 — A new software unicorn has just emerged inbehind a bar in a pub in East London. Unicorn, by the way, descibes a startup company valued at over $1 billion, not necessarily with a billion dollar concept. Back to East London behind the soggy bar. Hey, its our fantasy. Besides if Amazon can start in a garage, isn’t anything possible? The CEO logs in as usual and gathers daily updates from the team. The Chief Technology Officer is suggesting a new feature to deploy. The Chief Product Officer wants to redesign the CRM (or whatever CRM has evolved to) integration. The Chief Revenue Officer is showing off the new pipeline, forecast by Accountant in a Box. The Chief Customer Officer is discussing the latest customer levitation tools and product feedback. The Chief Information Security Officer has found a new privacy conflict, which they are addressing with a newly-revised infrastructure set-up. And the Head of HR is fretting about the latest round of IT candidates. This sounds like every software business you’ve ever heard of. But the difference is that the CEO’s teammates are entirely AI, not human: The CTO is Lovable. The CPO is Cogna. The CCO is Gradient Labs. The CRO is 11x. The CISO is Zylon. Back to 2024: The Rise of AI Agents In 2024, the hottest topic in software is AI agents, or Agentic AI. Founders are rapidly standing up agentic applications that can solve specific needs in functions like sales and customer services — without a human required. Software buyers, seeing real opportunities to quickly improve their P&L, are swiftly building or purchasing these agentic products. Investors have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into startups in this space in recent months. Even Salesforce wasn’t launched with a silver AI spoon in its mouth. Salesforce began investing in artificial intelligence (AI) in 2014, when the company started acquiring machine learning startups and announced its Customer Success Platform. In 2016, Salesforce launched Einstein, its AI platform that supports several of its cloud services. Einstein is built into Salesforce products and includes features like natural language processing, machine learning, and predictive analytics. It helps organizations automate processes, make decisions based on insights, and improve the customer experience. YouTube How To Increase Revenue Using AI for CRM: Salesforce … Feb 12, 2024 — What is Salesforce Einstein? Salesforce Einstein is the first trusted artifici… TechForce Services How does Salesforce Use AI for Business Growth? Jan 31, 2024 — Powered by technologies like Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, im… saasguru · LinkedIn · 7mo History of Salesforce AI From Predictive to Generative – LinkedIn Published Nov 27, 2023. In 2014, Salesforce, under the visionary leadership of… Twistellar AI in Salesforce: History, Present State and Prospects Organizations generate tons of data on marketing and sales, and surely your sales managers… Wikipedia Salesforce – Wikipedia In October 2014, Salesforce announced the development of its Customer Success Platform. Less than ten years ago, folks. Salesforce’s large database of data has helped the company address AI challenges quickly and with quality. The company’s data cloud offering provides AI with the right information at the right time, which can reduce friction and improve the customer experience. Salesforce’s AI-powered solutions include: To catalyze this evolution, Salesforce strategically acquired RelateIQ in 2014. This move injected machine learning into the Salesforce ecosystem, capturing workplace communications data and providing valuable insights. Europe is home to many of these exciting companies. For example, H, a French AI agent startup, raised a $220 million seed round in May. Beyond RPA: The New Wave of AI Agents AI agents represent a significant step-change from Robotic Process Automation (RPA) bots, which, as explored last year, have several limitations due to their deterministic nature. Next-generation AI agents are non-deterministic, meaning that instead of stopping at a “dead end,” they can learn from mistakes and adjust their series of tasks. Not entirely unlock the mouse running the same maze over and over for the cheese. Eventually Mr. Squeakers learns which paths are dead ends and avoids them by making better choices at intersections. In AI Agents this makes them suited to complex and unstructured tasks and means they can transform the journey from intent to implementation in software development. They can deliver “pure work,” rather than acting only as a helpful co-pilot. The rise of AI agents is not only an opportunity to expand automation beyond what is possible with RPA but also to broadly redefine how knowledge work is performed. And by who. And even how is it defined. Given the right guardrails, next-generation AI agents have the potential to effectively and safely replace knowledge workers in many business scenarios. AI Agents in Action These agents are about to revolutionize the world of work as we know it and are already getting started. For example, Klarna recently revealed that its AI agent system handled two-thirds of customer chats in its first month in operation. While HR may not be swamped with AI CVs yet, it is certainly fathomable. One would suppose those candidates would have to be reviewed and interviewed by IT, not just HR. Here’s another deep thought. The internet of things (IoT) first appeared in a speech by Peter T. Lewis in September 1985. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices that can collect and transmit data over the internet using sensors, software, and other technologies. IoT devices can communicate with each other and with the cloud, and can even perform data analysis and be controlled remotely. The IoT concept was smart homes, health care environments, office spaces, and transportation. Only recently have we begun to think of the IoT as including the actual computers, or AI, in addition to sensored devices. It isn’t exactly a chicken and the egg question, but more of a

July 3, 2024in Generative AI

16May

AI Agents and Open APIs

How AI Agents and Open APIs Are Unlocking New Rebundling Opportunities While much of the 2023-24 excitement surrounding AI has focused on the capabilities of foundational models, the true potential of AI lies in reconfiguring value creation across vertical value chains, not just generating average marketing content. The Vertical AI Opportunity Most AI hype has centered on horizontal B2C applications, but the real transformative power of AI is in vertical B2B industries. This article delves into the opportunities within vertical AI and explores how companies can excel in this emerging space. Short-Term and Long-Term Strategies in Vertical AI In the short term, many vertical AI players focus on developing proprietary, fine-tuned models and user experiences to gain a competitive advantage. These niche models, trained on domain-specific data, often outperform larger foundational models in latency, accuracy, and cost. As models become more fine-tuned, changes in user experience (UX) must integrate these benefits into daily workflows, creating a flywheel effect. Vertical AI companies tend to operate as full-stack providers, integrating interfaces, proprietary models, and proprietary data. This level of integration enhances their defensibility because owning the user interface allows them to continually collect and refine data, improving the model. While this approach is effective in the short term, vertical AI players must consider the broader ecosystem to ensure long-term success. The Shift from Vertical to Horizontal Though vertical AI solutions may dominate in specific niches, long-term success requires moving beyond isolated verticals. Users ultimately prefer unified experiences that minimize switching between multiple platforms. To stay competitive in the long run, vertical AI players will need to evolve into horizontal solutions that integrate across broader ecosystems. Vertical Strategies and AI-Driven Rebundling Looking at the success of vertical SaaS over the last decade provides insight into the future of vertical AI. Companies like Square, Toast, and ServiceTitan have grown by first gaining adoption in a focused use case, then rapidly expanding by rebundling adjacent capabilities. This “rebundling” process—consolidating multiple unbundled capabilities into a comprehensive, customer-centric offering—helps vertical players establish themselves as the hub. The same principle applies to vertical AI, where the end game involves going vertical to later expand horizontally. AI’s Role in Rebundling The key to long-term competitive advantage in vertical AI lies not just in addressing a single pain point but in using AI agents to rebundle workflows. AI agents serve as a new hub for rebundling, enabling vertical AI players to integrate and coordinate diverse workflows across their solutions. Rebundling Workflows with AI Business workflows are often fragmented, spread across siloed software systems. Managers currently bundle these workflows together to meet business goals by coordinating across silos. But with advances in technology, B2B workflows are being transformed by increasing interoperability and the rise of AI agents. The Rebundling Power of AI Agents Unlike traditional software that automates specific tasks, AI agents focus on achieving broader goals. This enables them to take over the goal-seeking functions traditionally managed by humans, effectively unbundling goals from specific roles and establishing a new locus for rebundling. Vertical AI Players: Winners and Losers The effectiveness of vertical AI players will depend on the sophistication of their AI agents and the level of interoperability with third-party resources. Industries that offer high interoperability and sophisticated AI agents present the most significant opportunities for value creation. The End Game: From Vertical to Horizontal Ultimately, the goal for vertical AI players is to leverage their vertical advantage to develop a horizontal hub position. By using AI agents to rebundle workflows and integrate adjacent capabilities, vertical AI companies can transition from niche providers to central players in the broader ecosystem. This path—going vertical first to then expand horizontally—will define the winners in the AI-driven future of business transformation. 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

May 16, 2024in Data, Salesforce, Technology

22Apr

More Sustainable and Equitable Future Through AI

Salesforce has unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at fostering a more sustainable and equitable future through AI. The company has introduced its Sustainable AI Policy Principles, a framework designed to guide AI regulation with a focus on minimizing environmental impact and promoting climate innovation. Additionally, Salesforce has selected five new nonprofits for its Salesforce Accelerator – AI for Impact, which targets climate action. This initiative will enable these purpose-driven organizations to harness AI solutions to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change. Why It Matters Prioritizing responsible AI development is crucial for leveraging technology to make a positive impact while ensuring that equity and sustainability remain central. Salesforce Sustainable AI Policy PrinciplesRead Them Here Key Aspects of the Principles The Sustainable AI Policy Principles extend Salesforce’s commitment to advocating for science-based policies that support a just and equitable transition to a 1.5-degree future. These principles offer best practices for lawmakers and regulators on: Salesforce is also the first tech company to support the Transformational AI to Modernize the Economy (TAME) legislation, which aims to enhance AI’s role in predicting and responding to extreme weather events. The AI for Impact Accelerator The AI for Impact cohort will support climate-focused nonprofits with technology, investments, and philanthropy to develop AI solutions that benefit the environment. Alongside product donations and $2 million in funding, these organizations will work on AI-powered initiatives in three crucial areas: Participants will also receive a year of pro bono consulting from Salesforce experts in strategy, planning, responsible AI use, data strategy, and technical architecture. Accelerator Participants Include: Moving Forward Suzanne DiBianca, EVP and Chief Impact Officer at Salesforce, emphasizes the importance of developing equitable and sustainable AI technology. “With AI transforming our lives and work, it is vital to ensure the technology is developed responsibly. We are excited to support climate nonprofits committed to sustainable AI innovation and advocate for clear policies that guide responsible AI development.” Quotes from Participants: Together, these efforts aim to accelerate the positive impact of technology, ensuring it benefits everyone and supports a sustainable future. 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

April 22, 2024in Salesforce

20Feb

Salesforce Pro Suite

Revolutionizing CRM: Introducing Salesforce Pro Suite In today’s dynamic business technology landscape, Salesforce has established itself as a leader in customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. The launch of Salesforce Pro Suite marks a significant milestone in their mission to empower businesses with cutting-edge tools designed to optimize operations, enhance customer engagement, and drive growth. This article explores the features, benefits, and potential of Salesforce Pro Suite, showcasing why it stands out as a transformative solution for businesses of all sizes. What is Salesforce Pro Suite? Salesforce Pro Suite is a comprehensive collection of integrated tools and services designed to augment the capabilities of Salesforce’s CRM platform. Tailored for modern businesses—from startups to large enterprises—it incorporates advanced functionalities such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and data analytics to boost productivity, foster collaboration, and facilitate informed decision-making. Unlock growth and deepen customer relationships with Pro Suite—the all-in-one CRM suite with marketing, sales, service, and commerce tools that scale with your business. Get the flexibility to automate tasks and customize your CRM to fit your specific needs with Pro Suite. Key Features of Salesforce Pro Suite Benefits of Salesforce Pro Suite Use Cases of Salesforce Pro Suite What Can You Do with Pro Suite? Conclusion Salesforce Pro Suite represents a significant advancement in CRM technology, offering a comprehensive suite of tools that cater to the diverse needs of modern businesses. By harnessing AI, automation, and advanced analytics, Pro Suite empowers organizations to optimize operations, enhance customer engagement, and make informed, data-driven decisions. Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, Salesforce Pro Suite provides the scalability, flexibility, and security required to thrive in today’s competitive 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

February 20, 2024in Artificial Intelligence, Data, Enterprise, Salesforce, Technology

07Feb

AI Adoption Not Even Across the Board

Reflecting on AI’s potential and its challenges, McElheran calls for a balanced approach: “To fully harness AI’s benefits, we need a realistic, evidence-based approach that accounts for both the advantages and the societal costs associated with adoption.”

February 7, 2024in Data, Technology

07Jun

Salesforce Sales Cloud GPT

What is Salesforce Sales Cloud GPT? Salesforce’s Einstein GPT is a robust AI tool that seamlessly integrates both public and private AI models with CRM data. This unique synergy allows users to articulate natural-language queries directly within the Salesforce CRM environment, resulting in continuously adapted AI-generated content tailored to evolving customer information and requirements. Salesforce Sales Cloud GPT The suite encompasses a suite of powerful Artificial Intelligence (AI) products, including the Einstein service, the workplace-messaging app Slack, and the data analysis software Tableau. Notably, it unveils a compelling array of natural language tools slated for release in 2023, such as Sales GPT for personalized emails, Service GPT for service messages and chatbots, and Marketing GPT for refined audience targeting. Furthermore, the AI Cloud is meticulously crafted to host extensive language models from various providers such as AWS, Anthropic, and Cohere. Salesforce’s commitment to AI startups is further underscored by a substantial $500 million injection into its venture capital fund. Impact on Sales Cloud with AI and EinsteinGPT: Sales Cloud undergoes a transformative impact through AI, notably EinsteinGPT. Anchored in principles of Trust, Security, and Privacy, Salesforce introduces the Einstein Trust Layer within its AI Cloud offering to assuage privacy concerns. This layer ensures adaptability and transparency while upholding stringent standards for data privacy, security, and compliance. EinsteinGPT for Sales Cloud emerges as a game-changing innovation, serving as a personalized assistant within Salesforce CRM to streamline sales processes. Leveraging Generative AI, it transcends mere data analysis by generating novel content, ideas, and approaches. Key features encompass Einstein GPT, Einstein Conversation Insights, and Einstein Relationship Insights. Industries Experience Tangible Impact: Salesforce’s substantial investments in AI are reshaping the landscape of sales and customer engagement. As EinsteinGPT becomes an integral part of the platform, the anticipation of new and innovative use cases signals a significant leap forward in AI accessibility. Tectonic is please to announce our Sales Cloud Implementation Solutions. 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

June 7, 2023in Salesforce Einstein, Salesforce Financial Services Solutions, Salesforce Manufacturing Automotive Energy, Salesforce Public Sector Solutions, Salesforce Sales Cloud

07Apr

AI Drives Insights

Innovations from Salesforce, HubSpot, and One AI are driving deeper insights and streamlining processes. Key Takeaways: AI is transforming the way businesses operate, and customer relationship management (CRM) is no exception. AI has been influencing the CRM space for years, but its impact is now reaching new heights. By harnessing AI algorithms, modern CRM systems offer predictive analytics and deeper insights, enabling brands to understand their customers on an unprecedented level. Advanced AI-enabled CRMs even incorporate sentiment analysis to gauge customer perceptions and provide automation tools to free marketers from mundane tasks. The global AI market, currently valued at 2.3 billion, continues to expand rapidly. From 2020 to 2022, annual corporate investments in AI startups increased by $5 billion, reflecting the growing demand for AI-driven innovations. As CRM vendors introduce more AI capabilities, it’s important to understand the unique approaches each one takes to differentiate themselves and deliver specific benefits. Salesforce and Einstein GPT: A New Era with OpenAI’s ChatGPT On March 7, 2023, Salesforce introduced Einstein GPT, a generative AI technology integrated into its CRM platform. Combining real-time data from Salesforce’s Data Cloud with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Einstein GPT allows users to input natural-language prompts to streamline tasks and decision-making. Salesforce has long invested in AI. In 2017, it launched its Einstein AI as part of Service Cloud. By 2019, Salesforce had partnered with OpenAI to explore AI research and integrate advanced models into its ecosystem. The acquisition of Slack in 2020 further strengthened its AI capabilities by incorporating advanced messaging and communication tools into the CRM environment. Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, highlighted the significance of AI’s growth: “The world is experiencing one of the most profound technological shifts with real-time technologies and generative AI. This comes at a pivotal moment as every company is focused on connecting with their customers in more intelligent, automated, and personalized ways.” Einstein GPT is set to transform customer engagement, with applications across Salesforce’s various platforms, including Tableau, MuleSoft, and Slack. HubSpot CRM: AI-Powered Content Assistant A day before Salesforce’s AI announcement, HubSpot revealed its own AI-powered features: the Content Assistant and ChatSpot.ai. These tools aim to enhance CRM users’ productivity while creating stronger connections with customers. HubSpot’s Content Assistant helps marketing and sales teams ideate, create, and share content through generative AI capabilities. It can suggest blog titles, create content outlines, and assist with crafting content for blogs, emails, landing pages, and websites. ChatSpot.ai, on the other hand, offers a natural-language chat experience to simplify CRM tasks for HubSpot users. HubSpot has also invested in AI for other functions, including conversation intelligence, data enrichment, predictive analytics, and content optimization, solidifying its position in the AI-driven CRM landscape. With AI advancements from companies like Salesforce, HubSpot, and One AI, the future of CRM is poised for enhanced efficiency, automation, and personalized customer interactions. 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

April 7, 2023in Generative AI, Mulesoft, Salesforce

15Feb

Einstein GPT from Salesforce

Salesforce, the leading global CRM provider, has unveiled Einstein GPT, the world’s first generative AI CRM technology. Engineered to craft personalized content across sales, service, marketing, commerce, and IT interactions, Einstein GPT aims to enhance employee productivity and elevate customer experiences. While Salesforce had previously integrated AI into its ecosystem with Einstein AI, the introduction of Einstein GPT represents a notable advancement. Leaning on OpenAI’s capabilities, Einstein GPT is an empowered iteration of existing technology, aligning with Salesforce’s commitment to artificial intelligence technology adoption. Einstein GPT from Salesforce Einstein GPT operates as an open and extensible platform, leveraging trusted, real-time data for training. It facilitates public and private AI models tailored for CRM, integrating seamlessly with OpenAI to offer generative AI capabilities. This enables users to connect data to OpenAI’s advanced models or choose external models, employing natural-language prompts within Salesforce CRM for content generation that dynamically adapts to evolving customer information and needs. The technology infusion of Einstein GPT involves combining Salesforce’s proprietary AI models with generative AI tech from an ecosystem of partners and real-time data from the Salesforce Data Cloud. This combination allows the generation of personalized content, including emails for sales, responses for customer service, targeted content for marketers, and auto-generated code for developers. The collaboration with OpenAI extends Salesforce’s capabilities by merging OpenAI’s enterprise-grade ChatGPT with Salesforce’s private AI models. Additionally, Salesforce Ventures announced the Generative AI Fund. This is a 0 million investment initiative supporting startups to foster responsible, trusted, and generative AI development. Einstein GPT introduces various applications, such as Einstein GPT for Sales, Service, Marketing, and Developers. These applications empower users to auto-generate things they used to have to write. Sales tasks, enhanced customer service interactions, dynamically created personalized content, and improved developer productivity through an AI chat assistant. To further enhance collaboration, Salesforce and OpenAI introduced the ChatGPT for Slack app. Thus offering AI-powered conversation summaries. The research tools and writing assistance within the Slack platform are aided by Einstein.. Prominent organizations like HPE, L’Oréal, RBC US Wealth Management, and S&P Global Ratings have acknowledged the value of generative AI. They are all improving customer engagement. 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

February 15, 2023in Artificial Intelligence, Data, Enterprise, Generative AI, Salesforce, Salesforce Data Cloud, Technology

28May

Salesforce Jigsaw

Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for $142 million. This agreement also includes an incentive component, allowing for a 10% increase in the purchase price contingent upon meeting specific performance milestones. Cloud computing stands out as the leading trend in the business software realm, attracting attention from established players such as Microsoft (MSFT), SAP (SAP), and Oracle (ORCL). By leveraging internet technologies, cloud computing enhances application usability while reducing costs associated with server and hardware investments. With annual revenues surpassing $1 billion, Salesforce.com (CRM) continues its remarkable growth trajectory. However, to further augment its capabilities and revenue streams, the company is likely to concentrate on strategic acquisitions like Jigsaw. Originating in 2003, Jigsaw embarked on a journey common to high-tech startups, continually refining its business model and securing substantial venture capital funding. The company’s mission was ambitious: leveraging cloud computing and crowd-sourcing to develop a cutting-edge business database to rival established players like D&B (DNB). Overcoming challenges related to data accuracy, duplicate information, and user participation, Jigsaw devised innovative tools and incentive models, resulting in a thriving community of over 1.2 million members and a database comprising 21 million professionals from 4 million companies. By integrating with Salesforce.com, Jigsaw anticipates further enhancements to its database, given the latter’s access to extensive customer data. With approximately 800 existing customers, including notable names like New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, Hackett Group, and Sales Performance International, Jigsaw stands to benefit from Salesforce.com’s expansive customer base and cross-selling opportunities. While the transaction is expected to temporarily impact Salesforce.com’s GAAP earnings by approximately 20 to 22 cents per share for fiscal year 2011, this is a common occurrence in rapidly growing markets. Salesforce.com estimates the market opportunity to be $3 billion, signaling significant growth potential. As Salesforce.com’s stock price has doubled over the past year and the company has secured $575 million in debt financing, it is well-positioned for an assertive merger and acquisition strategy. The acquisition of Jigsaw likely marks the beginning of a series of strategic moves for Salesforce.com in the near future. 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 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 Alphabet Soup of Cloud Terminology As with any technology, the cloud brings its own alphabet soup of terms. This insight will hopefully help you navigate Read more

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